Baby weight guidelines

Important Points

1. Weighing your baby regularly is very important to identify potential health problems
2. Monitoring is part of the general health care system, with different levels across Australian states
3. Development involves many factors, including genetics, environment, maternal history, nutrition, and health

Childhood Obesity

Weighing your baby regularly will help ensure that he is growing as he should. Weight gain from birth is a sign that they are eating well and will help you identify if they have health or developmental problems.

In fact, a baby’s weight can help determine if there are problems that need to be addressed before they become serious.

It is important to remember the development of the child’s obesity

A baby’s weight is only one aspect of its size. In most cases, a baby’s weight is measured along with head circumference and height measurements in health screenings. Regular health check-ups are a good opportunity for the doctor to know the baby’s growth and health.

Each Australian State and Territory has its own health screening schedules. Look at your child Personal Health Record Book for generations and divisions whose weight and size are to be measured.

Children are often tested for:

1. Once a month until they are 6 months old.
2. Every two months between 6-12 months.
3. Every three months after their first birth.

Babies who were born prematurely, were small for gestational age, or have health problems that should always be checked regularly.

How a child is growing and whether they are reaching maturity are other important measures of growth and maturity. If you are worried about your child’s growth, remember that there are other useful ways to monitor their overall health and well-being.

Lots of pale, wet nappies every day (at least 6), regular, soft diapers and being happy and content are some signs of getting enough milk.

Factors that affect a child’s growth

At birth, the baby’s weight depends largely on the health of the mother and her diet during pregnancy.

Every child is an individual and thrives and develops in his own way. Some weeks, babies gain more weight than others. Infant nutrition and diet can help to understand more about infant weight gain.

• Genetics – few parents have short children. Tall parents have tall children.
• Nature – the mother’s health, the number of pregnancies she has had, the quality of food and the type of food she eats during pregnancy, and the economic status of the family all affect how the child grows.
• History of women – If the mother has used drugs or smoked cigarettes during pregnancy, both of these can affect the weight and growth of her unborn child.
• Nutritious foods – Breastfed babies develop differently in the first year of life compared to breastfed babies.
• Biological triggers – babies who are large for their gestational age at birth have a higher risk of becoming obese as adults.
• Health and wellness – frequent illness, growth retardation, poor diet, long-term medication and other illnesses such as kidney or heart disease – all of these can increase growth. [1]

Expect your health care provider to ask questions about your child’s eating history if there are concerns about his weight.

Information about the child’s weight

1. Almost all babies born in Australia (94%) weigh between 2.5-4.5 kgs at birth.
2. Girls weigh less than boys at birth. First babies and babies who were one of multiple births are often smaller.
3. A weight loss of about 10% in the first week of life is normal. This is usually due to fluid loss and the baby using up more energy as it transitions to ‘extra-uterine’ life.
4. Most babies regain their weight within two weeks after birth.
5. When children are sick, they often lose weight and can lose weight. When he recovers, he may put on more weight than usual to ‘make up’ for what he lost.

Average weight

Age	Average weight
0-3 months	150-200 grams / week
3-6 months	100-150 grams / week
6-12 months	70-90 grams / week
Between births – 1 year	Increased birth weight
2-5 years	2 kg / year

[2]

All children develop at their own unique pace. [3]

Why size charts are important

Growth charts help ‘show’ a child’s developmental problems. Poor early childhood development can have both short- and long-term effects on a child’s health and development. Poor growth, over time, can affect a child’s physical, learning and growth.

Growth charts, also called percentile charts, help compare a child’s growth with other babies of the same age and gender. The best way to interpret the meaning of a growth chart is to think of your child as one in a group of 100. Your child’s weight, head circumference and height will be measured and then compared to (a sample of) 99 children.

The 50^Th A percentile is a measure of the average of all 100 children and is not a ‘pass’ – 50% of children will be above this line and 50% will be below it.

A single measurement does not give a good indication of a baby’s growth. What matters most is how the child develops over time.

Developing babies tend to follow the same path or line. The sudden increase in the growth curve, especially for the head circumference, requires investigation and research. Abnormalities are seen when a child’s weight and/or height falls below the percentile chart.

The charts currently used in Australia for children aged 0-24 are the WHO (World Health Organization) charts which recognize breastfeeding as a natural practice. [4] From ages 2-18, CDC (Center for Disease Control) growth charts are recommended.

When should I be concerned about my child’s weight gain?

It is important to always follow your ‘gut’ about how your child is growing and reacting. Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents to express their concerns, but checking your child regularly is the right thing to do.

Take your child to a GP and/or Child Health Nurse if:

1. They are not feeding regularly or there is a change in eating habits.
2. If your baby’s skin looks ‘loose’, if it doesn’t fit their skin. This may mean that they have lost weight or that they are not gaining as much weight as they should.
3. If your child sleeps more than usual, or does not wake up often to eat.
4. If you feel sick or unwell.
5. If you are breastfeeding and feel that your milk supply is decreasing.
6. If your child vomits, or there is a change in the frequency and consistency of their poos.

Remember – you are the expert on your special child and you know him better than anyone else. Although we learn a lot about our pregnancy courses, if you are not sure – ask an expert for advice.

About the Author:

Written by Nourish Baby and Jane Barry. Jane is fully qualified in paediatrics, immunisation, midwifery and pediatric nursing. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science (Nursing) and has approximately 35 years of pediatric health nursing experience. She is a member of a number of professional associations including AHPRA, The Australasian Medical Writer’s Association and the Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses.

References

Reducing children’s weight and weight | Australian Breastfeeding Association

[1] Child development resource: Child development in the early years (rch.org.au)

[2] Baby-rearing-instructions-for-health-workers (13).pdf

[3] How your baby gains weight | healthdirect

[4] Child development tool: Growth Charts (rch.org.au)