Episode 7 | How Much Weight Should My Newborn be Putting On?

Podcast Episode 7 | How Much Weight Should My Newborn be Putting On?

Today, we’re going to talk about a topic that concerns many new parents: newborn weight gain.

It surprises many parents to learn that it’s completely normal for newborns to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days of life. But I know as a parent, it can be worrying to see those numbers on the scales drop. However, healthy full-term babies who are feeding well usually regain their birth weight by around 2 to 3 weeks of age.

Now, let’s talk about how often we should weigh newborns. It’s important not to weigh them too frequently to avoid inaccurate results and to unnecessarily stress parents. We recommend having at least 48hrs between weights checks. Also, keep in mind that fluctuations in weight can occur due to factors like feeding schedules, passing urine, or passing a big poo just before weighing. 1ml of fluid equals 1gm, so if they have a big feed before being weighed they will weigh more or if they pass a big wee or poo before they may appear to have lost weight and this isn’t really the case.

Another thing to consider is the accuracy of the scales used. Discrepancies between different scales can create confusion and undue stress for parents. If you suspect this may have happened, try to use the same scales for future weight checks. This most likely occurs between the hospital, maternal child health and the GP.

Now, let’s talk about average weight gain. From birth to 3 months, babies typically gain 150-200 grams per week. From 3 to 6 months, it’s around 100-150 grams per week, and from 6 to 12 months, it’s 70-90 grams per week. But keep in mind that these are averages, and every baby is unique. Some babies consistently gain less than these figures and are completely healthy while others may have a medical problem, they are usually weighed a little more often to check that their growth continues at these lower levels.

So, what should you do if your baby isn’t gaining weight as expected? If you’re breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to have an assessment of your breastfeeding technique by a midwife, lactation consultant, or maternal and child health nurse. For newborns we will often suggest following a breastfeeding plan and doing some top ups with expressed breast milk. Often this means not letting your baby go more than 3 hours between the start of one BF and the next, even overnight and trying to make sure they have a good feed from both breasts. Be led by your health professional.

Similarly, if you’re bottle feeding, we’ll assess your bottling technique and ensure the formula is prepared correctly and that you are offering adequate milk often enough.

We use growth charts to monitor your baby’s growth over time. In Australia, we typically use the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Remember, it’s normal for babies to follow different percentiles on these charts. What matters most is consistent growth over time. Single weights don’t mean much but we can see trends over time.

I want to emphasize that there’s often too much emphasis placed on weight gain alone. Instead, look for other signs of growth, such as wet nappies, regular poos, and outgrowing clothes or moving up a assize in nappies.

Remember, watching your baby grow and develop is one of the most rewarding experiences of parenthood. If you ever have any concerns, reach out to your maternal and child health nurse, midwife, doctor, or lactation consultant for guidance and support.

Download my free feed and sleep tracker as part of my Baby Bundle full of checklists and printables. By tracking your baby’s feeds, wet & dirty nappies and sharing this with your health professional we can see what has been happening as it’s really hard to remember in these early days with little sleep, especially when you’re worried about your baby’s growth.

This will turn around and that is what we are here for!

Enjoy watching your baby grow, and remember, you’re not alone on this journey.

Connect With Me:

Web: www.BelindaJoyce.com
Facebook: @BelindaJoyceMidwife
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Download Belinda’s FREE Baby Bundle:

• Checklists for baby equipment, hospital bag, nappy bag, travel & childcare bag
• Newborn Sleep Flowchart-what to do next
• Baby Feed & Sleep Tracker

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