Your baby’s weight gain

Weight gain indicates proper growth in newborns and infants and is important for them to adequately attain their milestones

Baby’s weight gain is determined by several factors including:

-Genetics ( family history of big babies, more likely to have big babies and vice versa)

-Your diet and food intake during pregnancy- more makes you more likely to have a bigger baby

-Your age: Younger mums tend to have smaller babies; Mums in their 30s tend to have bigger babies

-Baby’s gestational age-, most of the time, preterm babies are smaller than term babies- some babies with some underlying conditions are exceptional

-Birth Order- Firstborns tend to weigh more than subsequent babies

-Multiple births-- tend to divide the weight up in the womb so they are smaller than single births

On average babies weigh 2.5 to 3.5 kg at birth; some may weigh up to 4kg.

Weight loss is normal for all newborns at birth. Babies may lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first ten days of life. This is due to the loss of fluids and inadequate feeds in the early days. However, as feeding becomes established, they should re-attain their birth weight before day 14.

After that, term babies gain approximately 30 g a day ( about 1kg a month), and preterm babies approximately 20 g a day (about 600g a month) until the third month and then from 3 to 6 months, term babies gain about 15g day and from 6 months to about 12 they gain about 10g/day

Babies will double their birth weight by age five to six months and triple their birth weight by age one year with adequate nutrition

All these are approximations. Best practices involve weighing babies regularly in the first year of life at scheduled intervals and plotting them on age-appropriate growth charts to monitor each child’s weight gain. This gives us an idea of whether a baby is gaining adequately - a baby can gain too quickly also- and provides ongoing advice on age-appropriate diets and nutritional habits.

Some conditions can reduce the rate at which babies gain weight, including but not limited to poor latch-on, reduced duration of breastfeeding, gastro-esophageal reflux - due to underdeveloped or weak lower esophageal sphincter, food allergies or sensitivities, and an increased need for calories such as babies with heart or respiratory (lung) disease or recurrent breathing difficulties.

Babies with latching difficulties can be helped by lactation consultants. If you have concerns about your baby’s weight gain be sure to discuss your concerns with your Paediatrician;