Infant Weight Patterns
| Age | Typical Weight Gain/Loss |
|---|---|
| First few days after birth | Loss of 5-7% typical, >10% not typical |
| 2 Weeks | Regain of birth weight |
| 2 Weeks- 4 Months | Gain of 1 ounce/day or 5-7 ounces a week |
| 4 Months | Typically double the birth weight |
| 4 Months-12 Months | Gain of 3-5 ounces a week |
| 12 Months | Typically triple the birth weight |
Growth Charts
Growth charts were first implemented in the United States in 1977. While the World Health Organization and healthcare professionals consider them standards for predicting growth, they are simply a tool used for measuring your baby’s milestones and are not always a reflection of your baby’s overall health.
Reading a growth chart:
Your pediatrician may discuss the growth charts with you at checkups. It is not your responsibility to keep track of these measurements as the important component of the measurement is your baby’s trend, not a single measurement.
- Percentile: A variable showing the contrast between your baby’s measurement and other babies of the same age. For example, 25th percentile means that 25% of babies of the same age are the same weight/height, while 75% of babies are above this measurement. While a lower percentile may seem alarming, the more important measurement is the growth curve of your particular child.
- Growth Curve: Healthy patterns of weight/height growth follow a curve throughout your child’s first few years. For example, one child may always be around the 5th percentile while the other is always around the 80th. This does not mean that the second child is healthier; it means that they have different growth patterns. As long as each child follows their individual curve, they are growing well. Parents should not be concerned with lower curves unless the child drops two or more percentile lines (from the 90th percentile to the 50th, for example). If your pediatrician voices concern over a growth curve while breastfeeding, let your IBCLC know, and she can help with a feeding assessment.
How do I know if my baby is gaining weight?
- Wet Diapers: Your baby’s diapers will serve as a good indicator of your baby’s weight gain. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that your baby has one wet diaper for each day between days 1 to 5. Around day 5, your baby should have at least 5-8 (if not more) wet diapers.
- Bowel Movements: Your baby should have around 3-4 dirty diapers a day starting at the four-day mark. Anything the size of at least a quarter is considered a bowel movement and can be counted as a dirty diaper.
- Your baby is content and relaxed after feedings. Their hands typically soften and become less clenched throughout the feeds.
- If breastfeeding, your breasts feel softer and less full after feeds.
Staying on Track
- Learn your baby’s hunger cues and pay close attention to them. You should expect to feed every one to three hours. Offer the breast at least 8-12 times a day, especially if your baby is not waking and showing hunger cues.
- Prioritize feedings in the middle of the night. Your prolactin levels are highest throughout the night, so any milk removal during this time can significantly increase milk supply. It is biologically normal for breastfeeding babies to wake to feed at least once a night until they are a year old. Following their nighttime feeding patterns help with your milk supply and their weight gain.
- Offer the breast more frequently while your baby is going through a growth spurt. During a growth spurt, your baby is giving you an opportunity to increase your milk supply to better meet their needs.
- When you start introducing solid foods around six months of age, offer breast milk before and after any solids.
- Spend quality skin-to-skin time together, whether that is during a feeding session or in a relaxing setting like a nighttime bath together.
Navigating Weight Loss Concerns
- Communicate with your baby’s pediatrician and IBCLC. Your IBCLC can help you navigate a reasonable plan to facilitate your milk supply while aiding in your baby’s growth.
- Offer feedings to your baby more frequently during the day. If your baby is not waking consistently to feed, try waking them around 2 or 2.5 hours during the day to ensure full feeds.
- Try breast compressions while nursing and switching sides during nursing sessions. Some moms switch sides multiple times to wake the baby to feed, and switching sides often may provide additional letdowns to give the baby a faster flow.
- Speak with your IBCLC and pediatrician about the advantages of high-quality lactation supplements.
- Hand express or pump after nursing to protect your milk supply if your baby is not gaining weight well or transferring milk efficiently.
- If your newborn baby is sick, it is important to notify the pediatrician if the baby has fewer than 6 wet and 2 dirty diapers a day or if the baby has not urinated or eaten in more than 8 hours. Call the doctor if the baby’s stools are hard or difficult to pass and if the urine is dark yellow. Additionally, let the pediatrician know about any concerns of blood in the stool or other colors of stool apart from yellow or light green (for a breastfeeding infant who has not started solids).
Witnessing your baby begin to grow and thrive is rewarding as a parent. If you are concerned about your baby’s weight gain, Arkansas Lactation offers support through our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and Registered Dietitians. Our staff is equipped to provide personalized support for both mom and baby.
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