Chart Outlining usual Weight Increase in Breastfed Infants
In the first few days after birth, a baby typically loses about 5-7% or 7-8 ounces (200-220 gm) of weight. However, by the fifth day after birth, a baby starts to gain weight. This marks the beginning of a growth trajectory that follows a predictable pattern.
For a breastfed baby from 5-days to 4 months, the average weight gain is 5 to 7 ounces per week, or 170 grams per week. This rapid growth continues until the baby reaches around 4 to 5 months old, at which point they tend to have doubled their birth weight. By the time a breastfed baby turns one-year-old, they tend to weigh about 2 1/2 - 3 times their birth weight.
From about 1 week to 6 months, babies generally gain 5 to 7 ounces weekly. After 6 months, the gain slows, and according to some sources, it may decrease to about 2 to 3 ounces per week toward the later months, such as 9 to 12 months old. From 6 to 12 months, the weight gain averages roughly 2 to 4 ounces per week.
This pattern aligns with the natural growth trajectory where infants grow rapidly in the first half-year, then their rate of weight gain decreases as their growth rate slows and they begin consuming complementary foods alongside breast milk.
It is essential to weigh a baby no more than once a week to account for growth spurts. The weight of a newborn baby is an important parameter of his general health. Consistency is key when measuring a baby's weight, using the same weighing scale, and weighing the baby naked are important.
As new parents, it is natural to feel concerned about the weight gain of a newborn baby. The breastfeeding weight gain chart offers important information about average weight gain for breastfed babies. This chart includes weight gain in ounces and grams for babies from 5-days to 12 months. It can help determine if a baby is growing well and as per the normal standards of development.
It is reassuring to know that breastfed babies are growing at a healthy rate and tend to grow at a faster rate than formula-fed infants in the initial few months. Breastfeeding is the recommended standard for baby feeding. In measuring a baby's weight, consistency is key, using the same weighing scale, and weighing the baby naked are important.
[1] [Breastfeeding weight gain chart source] [2] [Additional breastfeeding weight gain chart source] [3] [Average baby weight chart source] [4] [Source for baby regaining birth weight by three weeks]
- To ensure their baby is growing healthily, parents should refer to breastfeeding weight gain charts, such as [1] and [2], which provide average weight gain in ounces and grams for babies from 5-days to 12 months old.
- Maintaining a predictable growth pattern is crucial throughout the baby's first year, with growth being rapid in the first six months (5 to 7 ounces per week), followed by a slower rate from 6 to 12 months (2 to 4 ounces per week).
- Besides regular weight checks (preferably weekly), it's essential to pay attention to other aspects of baby's health and wellness, such as nutrition intake, fitness and exercise, and parenting, as these factors also contribute to overall growth and development, according to [3] and [4].
