Even if your baby's appetite is good and you regularly check his height and weight at the doctor's office, you may still wonder if your baby's weight is good and healthy. You need to remember that percentile numbers are not everything. Even if your baby is small for his age, he may be healthy. To make sure your baby is at a healthy weight, watch his behavior, monitor his progress, and discuss any concerns with your doctor.
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Part 1 of 3: Understanding Baby Growth Stages
Step 1. Know the baby's average weight
Most term babies weigh between 2.7 kg and 4 kg at birth. However, even if your baby weighs less or more than this range, he or she may be perfectly healthy.
Remember that weight is not the only determinant of health. Your pediatrician will let you know if there's anything you need to worry about
Step 2. Understand the growth chart
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide standardized growth charts for male and female infants according to body length and age. This chart is used to calculate children's percentile numbers. A high percentile number indicates that your child is larger than their age, whereas a low percentile indicates that your child is smaller than their age.
- A low percentile number just means your child is small, it doesn't mean his development is late.
- While this growth chart is useful as an indicator of a healthy baby weight range, every baby's condition is different. In most cases, a simple check of your baby's health can give you a clue as to whether the weight gain is healthy enough to allow it to grow and develop.
- The growth chart for breastfed and formula-fed babies is different because their growth rates tend to be different.
Step 3. Consider genetics
The growth chart does not take into account the influence of genetic factors, even though these factors affect the baby's weight. Be sure to consider the weight and height of the parents when processing information about the baby's size.
- If the baby's parents are both below average in height, it's not surprising that the baby is in the lower percentile because the baby may also be short. (For example, the average height of adult men and women in the US is 170 cm and 160 cm, respectively).
- Conversely, if the height of both parents of the baby is above average, the condition of the baby who is classified as a low percentile may need to be considered carefully.
- In addition, babies born with certain genetic disorders or congenital medical conditions such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, or heart disease may also grow at different rates.
Step 4. Watch the baby's weight loss immediately after birth
Most babies lose weight within a few days of being born, and then start to gain weight again. As long as your baby doesn't lose more than 10% of the weight at birth and gains weight again in the next few days, this is nothing to worry about. The weight of most babies usually returns to what it was when they were born at 2 weeks of age.
Generally, babies gain weight by about 140 g to 200 g one week after their weight loss. Furthermore, within 3 or 4 months, the baby's weight will increase twice from when it was born. Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns if your baby doesn't gain that much weight
Step 5. Know the needs of the premature baby
The nutritional needs of babies born prematurely are different from those born at term. Premature babies may not be able to eat properly because their bodies have not been able to process food normally, as a result, premature babies are often admitted to the NICU. The goal of this particular treatment is to help premature babies grow as they are in the womb (which is faster than the growth rate of full-term babies).
There is a special growth chart for premature babies
Part 2 of 3: Monitoring Baby's Development at Home
Step 1. Weigh the baby at home
Ordinary weighing scales are not sufficient to measure the baby's weight in detail. So, buy a special baby scale. Record your baby's weight measurement so you can discuss it with your pediatrician if necessary.
- Weigh the baby regularly to get an idea of the gains and changes. Avoid weighing your baby every day or weighing him several times a day unless recommended by a doctor for health reasons because weight changes naturally.
- Place the growth chart near the scale so you can monitor your baby's percentile number.
- Remember that it is more important for the baby to be consistent in growth than the percentile number.
Step 2. Watch for signs the baby is getting enough fluids and nutrients
If your baby is not getting enough food, you may notice changes in his physique. If the baby appears healthy, his weight may not be a problem.
- Babies should pass soft stools several times a day for several weeks after birth. After that, generally the baby will defecate at least once a few days.
- The color of the baby's urine should be clear or bright yellow and odorless.
- Her skin color should look healthy.
- You should change your baby's wet diaper 6-8 times a day.
Step 3. Keep a baby food journal
Monitor the frequency with which the baby eats, and the amount of food. If breastfed, monitor how long you breastfeed. If bottle-fed, or if your baby has started eating solids, monitor the amount he is consuming.
Call the doctor if you feel that your baby is not eating enough, for example, he has missed several meals, has eaten very little, or has not eaten or drank for several hours
Step 4. Observe the baby's developmental milestones
Weight is one of the factors that affect a baby's health, but it is not the only one. There are a variety of factors that affect weight, so monitoring your baby's developmental milestones can be a better way to ensure that your baby is growing healthy.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing It's Time to Seek Help
Step 1. Seek support for coping with breastfeeding problems
Babies may not get the nutrients they need if they don't latch on properly to the breast while feeding. These problems can usually be resolved with a little support, so seek help from your doctor or a lactation counselor if you experience any of the following problems:
- Babies suck their cheeks in and make squeaky sounds when feeding.
- Baby seems restless after feeding.
- The baby seems to have difficulty swallowing.
- Your breast volume does not decrease after breastfeeding.
- Your nipples are sore or have an odd shape.
Step 2. Beware of poor feeding
If your baby doesn't seem to have an appetite and/or is constantly losing weight, make an appointment with your pediatrician right away. There are many inherited medical conditions as well as infections that can cause poor feeding, so you should get them checked out as soon as possible.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or choking.
- If your baby usually has difficulty eating, this is generally nothing to worry about. Poor feeding means the baby does not have an appetite for all foods, not just certain foods.
Step 3. Watch for signs of dehydration
If the baby is dehydrated, this means that he is not getting enough breast milk or formula. You have to get over it right away. Common symptoms of dehydration include:
- Reduced number of wet diapers.
- Urine color that is darker than normal.
- Jaundice (yellow skin).
- The baby's activity is reduced or getting sleepy more easily.
- Dry mouth.
Step 4. Discuss any sudden changes with your doctor
Fluctuations in baby's weight are normal. However, if there is a drastic change, you should consult a doctor. For example, if your baby has consistently gained weight before but suddenly loses weight, you may need to see a doctor. This may not be a problem, but it may also require medical attention.
