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After a baby is born, doctors keep a track of its weight, length and the headsize. Growth in a new born is the general indicator of its overall health. If the child is growing well, it generally suggests that it is in good health, and if it isn’t showing optimum growth, that might indicate an underlying problem. Lots of parents, though, are concerned when they notice a decline in a baby’s weight after it is born.
Should you be worried?
‘Not Really,’ says Dr. Preeti Sharma, a highly regarded Pediatrician at Ankura Hospital.
‘Babies are born with some extra fluid, so it's normal for them to drop a few ounces when they lose that fluid in the first few days of life. A healthy newborn is expected to lose 7% to 10% of the birth weight, but should regain that weight within the first 2 weeks or so after birth,’ She adds.
An Ideal Size for Newborn
Preeti says there is no ‘ideal weight’ for Newborns. They come in a range of healthy sizes. An average baby born between 37 and 40 weeks weighs between 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams) and 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams). Newborns who are a little lighter or somewhat heavier than the average baby are normally healthy. But they might get a little extra care from the doctors, just to be on the safer side.
Also Read: Newborn Tips: Here Is How To Recognise The Signs If Your Baby Is Hungry
Things you should Keep Track of
How many feedings a day?
The amount of times the baby should be fed depends whether it is being breastfed or formula fed. Preeti suggests, 8 or more times in a 24-hour period is optimal for a newborn; while for formula-fed babies every 3 to 4 hours should suffice.
How much does the baby eat at each feeding?
A baby generally nurses for at least 10 minutes, and should seem satisfied when done. Formula-fed babies may drink up to 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120 milliliters) at a time.
How many bowel movements?
Newborns have only one poopy diaper a day at first. Poop is dark and tarry the first few days, then becomes soft or loose and greenish-yellow by about 3 to 4 days. Newborns have several poopy diapers a day if breastfed and fewer if formula-fed.
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Factors Behind a Newborn’s Weight
In Dr. Preeti’s opinion, there are a lot of variables that contribute and dictate a newborn’s weight. Some of these factors are natural and are beyond our control, while others are subject to the lifestyle of the parents. The typical ones include:
Genes: Genetics are the most prominent factor when it comes to a baby’s size. If the parents are well built and in good health, the baby is likely to follow suit and vice-versa.
Birth Order: In case of twins and triplets, the size of the babies is more likely to be smaller for sharing a single uterus.
Birth order: First babies are sometimes smaller than brothers or sisters born later.
Mom's health during pregnancy: Any pre existing medical condition in the mother may have a direct effect on the weight and overall health of the baby. If a mother has issues with Blood Pressure or Heart disease, the weight may be lower, while as if she has diabetes, it may be higher than usual. Women who smoke and drink during pregnancy also hamper the health of their children.
Nutrition: Whether it is during pregnancy, or post-partum, nutrition plays a key role in maintaining a healthy weight in a newborn. A poor nutrition during pregnancy can result in the child being underweight.