What is considered to be normal weight gain in infants? When should parents be concerned about weight gain in an infant? Is the rate at which a baby gains weight same in breastfed babies and bottle fed ones? Find answers to questions pertaining to infant weight gain.Weight gain is a reliable indicator of good health of newborns and infants. Slow weight gain, or lack of weight gain, can be the first sign of potential health issues including infection and birth defects. It is perfectly normal for parents to be concerned about their infant’s weight gain since this is a clear indicator of their baby receiving enough nutrition and maintaining healthy growth rates. In this articleWhat is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first month?What is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first six months of her life?Is weight loss in newborns normal?Weight gain in infants after four monthsAre there any other methods of monitoring baby’s growth?Infant Weight Gain FAQs Let us have a quick look at the infant weight gain FAQs.What is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first month? Newborns gain an average of 4 to 7 oz. Ounces a week within the first month.What is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first six months of her life? Normally, infants gain weight at an average rate of 1 to 2 pounds per month for the first six months of their life. The rate of weight gain in infants can vary depending upon their metabolic rates, infant temperament and personality, and frequency of breastfeeding. A few other factors like actual length of pregnancy, overall health and nutrition of the mother during pregnancy, the babys gender and genetic background can also influence infant weight. Hence, it is possible that an infant’s weight varies considerably from the acceptable range without causing any adverse effects on the health of the newborn.Is weight loss in newborns normal? Initially, some weight loss is expected in all newborn babies. Babies lose weight through loss of excess water during the first few days of their birth. In case of breastfed baby weight loss of around 7 to 10 percent of total birth weight is considered normal. For formula fed babies the average weight loss is roughly 5 percent of body weight. In either case, the infant will be able to regain the lost weight within 10 to 14 days after birth. It may take slightly longer for a baby to regain the birth weight if she loses more than the average amount of weight, or is unwell or born prematurely.Weight gain in infants after four months During the first four months of a baby’s life the rate of growth will be almost the same irrespective of whether she is breastfed or formula fed. Typically a newborn will gain 5 to 7 oz. Each week. This effectively translates to doubling of the initial birth weight within three to four months. After four months weight gain differences will become apparent between breastfed and formula-fed babies. These differences are generally normal, and are not an indicator of the overall health of the babies.Are there any other methods of monitoring baby’s growth? In addition to keeping a check on an infant’s body weight a babys growth can be monitored with the help of certain indirect methods also. Keeping a count of the baby’s wet and soiled diapers every day is one such method. Typically, a newborn will need wet diaper change five to six times a day and a soiled diaper change three or four times. This number may vary in case of formula fed babies since they tend to have fewer bowel movements. A babys wakefulness during feeding, and level of satisfaction immediately after feeding are two other popular indicators of overall well being of an infant. In case an infant appears to be sleepy while eating, or is not satisfied for at least a short duration, feeding issues may be hampering her development and growth.
What is considered to be normal weight gain in infants? When should parents be concerned about weight gain in an infant? Is the rate at which a baby gains weight same in breastfed babies and bottle fed ones? Find answers to questions pertaining to infant weight gain.Weight gain is a reliable indicator of good health of newborns and
infants. Slow weight gain, or lack of weight gain, can be the first sign of potential health issues including infection and birth defects.
It is perfectly normal for parents to be concerned about their infant’s weight gain since this is a clear indicator of their baby receiving enough nutrition and maintaining healthy growth rates.
Infant Weight Gain FAQs
Let us have a quick look at the infant weight gain FAQs.
What is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first month?
Newborns gain an average of 4 to 7 oz. Ounces a week within the first month.
What is the expected weight gain in an infant during the first six months of her life?
Normally, infants gain weight at an average rate of 1 to 2 pounds per month for the first six months of their life. The rate of weight gain in infants can vary depending upon their metabolic rates, infant temperament and personality, and frequency of breastfeeding.
A few other factors like actual length of pregnancy, overall health and nutrition of the mother during pregnancy, the baby's gender and genetic background can also influence infant weight. Hence, it is possible that an infant’s weight varies considerably from the acceptable range without causing any adverse effects on the health of the newborn.
Is weight loss in newborns normal?
Initially, some weight loss is expected in all newborn babies. Babies lose weight through loss of excess water during the first few days of their birth. In case of breastfed baby weight loss of around 7 to 10 percent of total birth weight is considered normal. For formula fed babies the average weight loss is roughly 5 percent of body weight. In either case, the infant will be able to regain the lost weight within 10 to 14 days after birth. It may take slightly longer for a baby to regain the birth weight if she loses more than the average amount of weight, or is unwell or born prematurely.
Weight gain in infants after four months
During the first four months of a baby’s life the rate of growth will be almost the same irrespective of whether she is breastfed or formula fed. Typically a newborn will gain 5 to 7 oz. Each week. This effectively translates to doubling of the initial birth weight within three to four months.
After four months weight gain differences will become apparent between breastfed and formula-fed babies. These differences are generally normal, and are not an indicator of the overall health of the babies.
Are there any other methods of monitoring baby’s growth?
In addition to keeping a check on an infant’s body weight a baby's growth can be monitored with the help of certain indirect methods also. Keeping a count of the baby’s wet and soiled diapers every day is one such method. Typically, a newborn will need wet diaper change five to six times a day and a soiled diaper change three or four times. This number may vary in case of formula fed babies since they tend to have fewer bowel movements.
A baby's wakefulness during feeding, and level of satisfaction immediately after feeding are two other popular indicators of overall well being of an infant. In case an infant appears to be sleepy while eating, or is not satisfied for at least a short duration, feeding issues may be hampering her development and growth.
