Why Does My Baby Gain or Lose Weight?

Doctors will keep track of your baby's weight, length, and head size from the day he or she is born. Baby weight gain is an excellent predictor of overall health. Babies that are developing well are usually healthy; however, slow growth may indicate a problem.

Typical Weight Gain for Babies

Babies usually lose weight after birth before beginning to gain. According to a widely established rule of thumb, a newborn can be anticipated to lose 3–7% of its birth weight over the first five days following birth. By day 10, parents should expect their infant to be back to his or her birth weight.

Many newborns double their birth weight by 4 to 6 months of age and triple it by their first birthday. However, babies that grow more slowly or fast may be completely healthy as well. As long as your baby is breastfeeding well and their health exams are on target, a slower or a quicker weight gain may not be an issue.

Causes of Slow Weight Gain in Babies

 

There is a frenzy of feedings, diaper changes, and all-nighters. You've just passed the 2-week mark and are concerned that your kid isn't gaining weight. What should you do now?

 

Your baby's total calorie intake must be more than their calorie expenditure in order for them to gain weight. There are three possible reasons why the desired weight gain may not occur:

 

1. They are not consuming enough calories.
2. They aren't absorbing the calories they do consume.
3. They are burning an excessive number of calories. 

Causes of Excessive Weight Gain in Babies

While slow-gaining newborns receive the most attention, growing worries concerning babies gain fast, especially since the WHO charts were introduced. "You have to consider height as well as weight," Marchand explains. "An infant who is in the 50th percentile for weight but only in the fifth percentile for height may be obese. But, on the other hand, a baby that is in the 95th percentile for both weight and height is most likely fine."

According to Marchand, rapid baby weight growth is more likely to concern formula-fed newborns, who say that occasionally a baby would take 1.7 liters (60 ounces) of formula in a day and develop extremely rapidly.

Weight gain is less of an issue for breastfed babies. In addition, breastfeeding babies are better able to self-regulate their intake since they stop when they're done rather than when the bottle is empty.

What should I do if my infant is gaining or losing weight slowly? 

If you believe your baby is not gaining enough weight, consider increasing the amount or frequency of his feedings, especially if he appears hungry. (The same goes for your toddler.) Offer healthy, high-calorie meals to babies consuming solid meals (like whole milk, cheese, and yogurt). Remember that children have a finely tuned hunger system and will normally only eat until they are satisfied.