Congratulations! You are, now, the proud mom of a cute little angel. And, you probably have millions of questions about your baby. And, among these countless questions, one of the most important ones is why my baby gains weight slowly or suffers from the stagnation of growth at different stages of her development, and what can I do to help? Well, don’t worry. We are here to help you answer any questions you may have about your baby’s weight, and what you must know. Read on.
1. What Is Ideal Baby Weight?
According to the World Health Organization, babies should weigh around 3 kg at birth, 5 kg at 3 months, 6 kg at 6 months, 7 kg at 9 months, and around 10 kg when she is one year old. If you study the numbers here, you realize that there is a slow weight gain stage between the 3rd and the 6th month of a baby’s life. This should tell you that you needn’t worry if your baby is going through a slow growth stage, as it’s rather normal.
2. What Is Slow Weight Gain And Weight Loss For Babies?
Babies don’t remain at a constant weight for long. And, if your baby, who once outgrew his onesie overnight suddenly stops gaining weight or seems like he is losing pounds, it can be a cause for concern. However, you shouldn’t fret too much. This is all part of the growing-up process and is mostly considered quite normal unless your pediatrician says otherwise.
3. What Causes Slow Weight Gain And Weight Loss In Babies?
Typically, when a baby begins crawling (7-10 months), read zooming around the house on all fours, is when she begins to shed some of that puppy fat. This is also due to the metabolism, which kicks up a few notches. So, losing a few pounds right about now is quite reasonable, and you shouldn’t really be worried. It can also be due to reasons such as not feeling well or not eating enough. However, if you feel that the weight loss is unnatural, you should consult your pediatrician immediately.
4. When Should You Visit The Doctor About Your Baby’s Weight?
If your baby continues to lose weight and is not nearing the ideal weight for his age, you may want to consult your pediatrician pronto. While babies generally lose a few ounces early in their lives, they don’t have any such luxuries after that. If your baby seems to lose weight steadily and appears weakened or fatigued, then waste no time in getting her medical attention, as it may indicate the presence of some underlying condition, which could be harmful to your baby.
5. How To Treat Babies Slow Weight Gain And Weight Loss?
Increasing the size of the portion of the frequency of feeding can help overcome slow weight gain in babies, when they appear hungry and snatch at the breast while they feed. If your baby is weaning, you can consider introducing her to high-calorie foods. Such foods can help babies overcome slow weight gain and weight loss. Mostly, babies have a fine-tuned hunger mechanism, and only eat until they are satisfied.
