Newborn Weight Gain | Factors that Matter

The smile of a child is by far the most precious moment in any parent’s life. Being a mum or a dad brings a lot of responsibility with itself. You need to be well prepared for– The constant cold & cough, unannounced constipation followed by a bout of loose motions, the usual vomits or the midnight stomach aches, ohh! Did I forget to mention the occasional tooth ache – well, the list goes on and on… Amidst all of these health woes, we constantly observe sudden loss or gain of weight in the baby and that’s simply troubling!

To ensure that your child is growing at a normal rate you need to set a lot of milestones and check some key parameters. You need to monitor your baby’s physical and mental development very closely to ensure his well-being. 
 

You might also like: Track your child’s development
 

Every day and ounce count for your baby’ growth:
 

With every passing day, your baby gains some weight and height. Here I will be focusing more on the weight parameter (height to be followed next time).  Before going further you need to understand that the growth of your child is never uniform and you should never compare it to the kid next door. That brings me to my first point:
 

•    There are no ideals but patterns
   

First thing that every parent must understand is that there are no standards or ideals in the case of physical development of your child. Rather we can relate the development with a common biological pattern of growth. Bottom line – stop worrying if your child is not putting on weight as fast as your neighbour’s. 
 

•    Genes and gender matter
   

In my observation, the growth and weight of every child vary with different aspects. My doctor told me that my son will show fast growth as compared to others due to our genetic structure. And it’s quite common. The next thing is the gender of the baby. Girls generally grow slower than boys, again due to the genetic science. 
 

•    Weight growth is never uniform
   

Okay, this is something usual, but important. “Your baby will not grow with same rate all the time”. The growth rate is quite fast in initial months but thereafter it will slow down. So, you need not worry if your baby is showing a slower growth after 7-8 months. 
 

•    Loss by illness is temporary
   

While illness may cause your child to lose a couple of pounds, ounces (depending upon the illness type and duration), however that loss is easily recoverable, just like it is with adults. So, just take good care of your child and try to enjoy his childhood. 
 

•    It will take time
   

Like I said earlier, the growth of a child is dependent upon several factors (explained ahead), so you need to show patience and care towards your child and give him some time. Here is the general growth chart for babies. AGAIN DON’T TAKE IT FOR STANDARDS, they are just averages.

With every counting day, the rate of weight gain slows down a bit. 

What can make difference?
 

Here are some factors that may affect the growth and weight of your child. 
 

•    Your diet 
   

The diet plans you follow before and after the birth of your baby and the number of nutrients you consume directly affect the weight of the baby. 
 

•    Your health
   

Your health also plays a vital role in defining the weight and health of your baby. You need to maintain a healthy body and physique to ensure proper growth of your baby.
 

•    The genetic structure
   

Again the genetic structure of parents matters a lot for the growth of the child. If you have a healthy weight then the chances of same increase for your baby. 
 

Dear Fellow Moms, don’t take the extra burden for yourself and help your child have an exciting childhood full of joys and adventures.  
 

Also read: Important Things to buy for Newborn Babies
 

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This article was origonally published on Indian Moms Community.