One of the issues that worry new parents is the weight of their babies. Parents are usually concerned whether their babies are gaining weight in the right pattern especially in the first months of a baby‘s life. This is mainly because baby weight gain is closely associated with the baby’snormal growth and development. It is important to note that every baby will gain weight differently but there are patterns that are widely accepted as normal. A normal new born baby will gain weight and loss in weight is considered abnormal.
Breastfeeding and formula feeding on baby weight gain
Generally babies will gain weight very fast during their first months. Averagely a baby will gain 4-7 ounces or around 200 grams for the first week of their first month. Babies will gain about half a pound or 1 kilogram per month for the first six months. It is important to feed babies well in order to maintain the constant weight gain that is required in their early life. Studies show that babies who are breastfed and those that take formula basically add weight at almost the same level in the first few months.
Therefore, parents who opt for formula can stop worrying about whether their babies will gain weight normally if they use it. This however changes in the fourth month, and it is noted that after the first three months, formula-fed babies tend to add weight more than their breastfeeding counterparts. This has been attributed to the fact that formula-fed babies retain excess water and have body fat of a different composition.
Any loss of weight after the first two weeks of a baby’s life is considered a problem and should be examined by a doctor. Other studies also show that the personality of a baby may determine their weight gain. These studies show that a laid back baby has a low metabolic rate and will gain more weight as opposed to a mellow baby who will have a high metabolic rate and will tend to be leaner. It is vital to keep track of ababy’s weight during its first few months.
Understanding Baby Weight Gain