Monitoring Baby Weight and Tips to Manage Weight Loss.

Introduction:

Babies grow faster every day after their birth. Weight gain is an important aspect of growth and development. There are a lot of concerns and confusion present in parents' heads regarding the baby's weight. Parents usually get worried if the child's weight is less or a little too much. Every child has a different weight gain pattern which depends on birth weight and rate of linear growth. Parents should be aware of average baby weight, baby weight gain, or weight loss.

What Is the Average Newborn Body Weight?

Average newborn body weight is the weight of a baby at the time of birth. A baby's average body weight during birth is approximately five to eight pounds. If the weight is greater or lesser, pediatricians recommend tests to ensure the baby is healthy.

What Are the Factors Which Affect the Weight of a Baby?

Several factors affect a baby's weight during birth.

They are:

• Mother's Diet - Diet and weight of the mother affect the child's weight. If the mother is overweight, they tend to have increased weight, whereas if the mother is devoid of nourishment, the baby is underweight.

• Prenatal Health - Prenatal health is affected if the mother is diabetic or has a habit of drinking and smoking.

• Genetics - Genetics also plays an important role in a child's weight. It depends on the parent's genetic constitution.

• Age - Mothers who give birth to children at a young age are reported to deliver babies with less weight.

• Gender - Boy children tend to have more weight than girls.

• Firstborn - If the child is first born, they are less in weight than other children.

• Twins - Twin babies are reported to have less weight than single children.

How to Increase the Weight of an Infant?

Parents of children with less weight are worried about the growth of their children. Some babies have a hard time. Some children have a really hard time while feeding. It affects their weight gain pattern.

Following are a few methods parents can practice to increase their child's weight.

• Milk Supply - Always try to boost the milk supply of a child. To increase the milk supply, try to nurse the child every two hours. Try to take rest and feed in intervals.

• Formula Feeding - Parents can practice formula feeding for weight gain in babies. Changing the milk brand or getting breast milk from a milk bank can be done. If the child shows signs of allergy, eczema, diarrhea, constipation, or any sign of reflux, parents should stop feeding immediately and meet a pediatrician. If the parents add anything to the baby's diet, like rice cereal, it is important to consult a pediatrician first. If the parents use milk powder, try to use the proper ratio of milk powder and milk. Excess water in ratio can lead to inadequate calories.

• Feeding Solid Food - If the baby is over six months old, parents should start giving solid food to their child. Adding solid food to a child's diet adds extra calories.

• Healthy Fats - Olive and avocado oils are enriched with calories and are also beneficial for health. They contain omega-three, which helps in the growth of a child.

• Diary - Parents can give full-fat dairy products to their children. Cheese and yogurt can be added to the diet as they enhance the child's food taste.

• Fruit - Try to give children high-calorie fruits such as bananas, pears, and avocados.

• Supplements - Vitamins and iron are essential for the growth of the body. As the mother's milk does not contain the proper amount of iron, therefore an iron supplement should be given to the child. Vitamin supplements should always be given under pediatrician guidance.

What Should Be the Feeding Pattern of a Child?

If the mother is breastfeeding their child, they should follow feeding habits to ensure the child's growth. They are:

• First Three Months - During the first three months breastfeeding should be done every three hours. A child grows one inch every month. Therefore, the child needs to be fed properly.

• Seven Months - Exclusively breastfeeding is recommended for the initial six months of Life. Every possible effort should be made to feed the baby with breast milk as it benefits both mother and child in all ways, including their emotional well-being. After six months, start introducing a liquid diet and then gradually increasing consistency by adding semisolid to a solid diet at Last. Variety matters while adding new food items as it improves food orientation and liability towards the particular food, for instance, while adding fruits and vegetables. With variety, there are more choices in food to feed, the overall nutritional demand is met, and the baby will not get bored eating the same food item repeatedly. Growth slows down a little between three and seven months. There is an increase in weight of hundred grams per week.

• Twelve Months - Between seven to twelve months, the baby grows by one hundred forty-five grams approximately every week. Parents should give a balanced diet to a child. They should keep watch to avoid choking hazards. Parents should keep a check on calories in the diet plan.

What Are the Best Foods Recommended for the Weight Gain of a Child?

Various food items are enriched in high calories.

1. Avocado.

2. Oatmeal.

3. Peanut butter.

4. Fish.

5. Eggs.

6. Wheat.

7. Soya.

8. Peanuts.

9. Shrimp.

How to Manage Weight Loss in a Baby?

Parents should take care of their diet routine every week if the child constantly loses weight per gram. There are various common issues associated with weight loss in babies. It includes:

1. If the child is not fed enough eight to ten times per day.

2. If the baby is not draining both breasts in each feeding.

3. If the child is not eating properly because of lips, tongue, and jaws.

4. If the baby is sucking the pacifier too much.

5. If the mother's body is unable to form sufficient milk.

6. If the baby is suffering from any systemic disease.

Conclusion:

Nutrition and diet are very important aspects of the growth and development of the child. Food acts as the building block of child growth. Baby weight should be assessed properly as it shows a child's growth and health status. Parents should take care of the child's frequency of feeding and diet. Parents should encourage the child to eat healthy food by introducing new food items and recipes and adding flavors. Parents should seek a pediatric visit if the child has not regained weight by the time of two weeks or has dropped in weight gradually. Parents should always be concerned about eating habits and the baby's weight. Every child grows in a different pattern; therefore, parents should observe and care for their child.