Baby Weight Chart: An Indian Parent's Guide to Growth Patterns

Like many parents, it is normal to be anxious and confused about the baby's ideal weight. As first-timers, parents often wonder if the baby's weight is within normal range. As the baby grows, weight is one of the most significant indicators of the overall health and development of the baby. The newborn baby's weight is an indicator of the baby's health. However, over one year, gradual development and changes in body weight occur. In this article, we will take a look at baby weight chart and baby height and weight chart and understand how much weight should a baby gain in the first year.

What is the Ideal Body Weight for an Infant?

The normal baby weight in kg established by World Health Organization for a newborn is around 3.2 to 3.4 kg (7 and 7 ½ pounds). However, low birth weight for a baby is found to be due to various reasons, including:

• Premature birth of the babies leads to smaller baby size, whereas babies born past their due date may be larger.

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• Gestational diabetes is another reason leading to a smaller baby size.

• Poor nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy might lead to a smaller baby size. However, excessive weight gain might lead to a large baby size.

• Gender also sometimes indicates the size of the baby. The baby girl's weight chart shows that a baby girl is lighter than a baby boy.

• Smoking during pregnancy causes adverse effects, of which one is underweight babies.

Baby Weight Chart by Month in kg

This baby weight chart in kg represents the baby's ideal weight from birth to one year. This Indian baby weight chart indicates gender-based standard weight.

Note: 50th percentile means 50% of babies of the same age weigh more, and 50% of babies weigh less. It is an average weight.

Weight Gain of the Baby in the First Year

The newborn baby's weight will differ from a 2-month baby's weight due to gradual growth and development. Generally, this is what you can expect in the first 12 months in terms of a baby’s growth:

1. By one month

The normal weight of new born baby in India can vary, but generally, a healthy newborn weighs between 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms (5.5 to 7.7 pounds). After one month of their birth, the babies start gaining weight as they develop a regular feeding pattern.

2. Six months

There is a stark difference in the 2 month baby weight, 3 month baby weight, 5 month baby weight, and 6 month baby weight. This is also the period of growth spurt indicated by a big surge of growth within a short period. It happens anytime within the first month to 6 months of birth. The baby needs more milk during this time, which is also known as cluster feeding.

3. One year

Between six months and one year, the weight gain slows down. The 7-month baby's weight is almost double the baby's birth weight. The process of cluster feeding slows down, which makes the 8-month baby weight and 9-month baby weight almost similar. The weight increases just 0.5 kg to 1 kg at maximum during this period.

Height Chart for Newborn to 1-Year-Old Babies

We have already seen the baby weight chart by month in kg, now, let us take a look at the height chart for Indian babies in the first year and understand what their ideal height should be:

What to Do If You Are Concerned About Your Baby’s Weight?

Contact your paediatrician if your baby does not fall close to the ideal range in baby height and weight chart. The paediatrician will examine and check the baby’s growth rate and provide a personalized nutritional therapy. If the baby is not gaining weight with the supply of mother’s milk, doctors often recommend baby weight gain food. The doctors also recommend supplement or formulation along with the mother’s milk. If your baby has suckling trouble, it is best to contact a lactation consultant to get the best suggestions. Doctors recommend adding solid formulation after 6 months ideally.

FAQs

1. Why is there a difference between baby girl weight chart and baby boy weight chart?

Girls and boys have different growth charts because they grow in different patterns and at different rates. It's important to remember that being in a higher or lower percentile on the chart doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, as long as the child is growing at a healthy rate.

2. According to an Indian baby weight chart, how much should a 3-month-old baby weigh?

According to an Indian baby weight chart in kg, a 3-month-old baby boy should weigh around 6.4 kg and a baby girl should weigh around 5.8 kg. It's important to note that these weights are just average guidelines, and individual baby weights can vary based on various factors such as genetics, nutrition, and overall health.

Conclusion

The baby's weight is an important indicator of many things, including the growth and development of the baby. By keeping an eye on the baby weight chart and tracking your baby's weight accordingly, you can keep a record of their growth and take steps to improve it. It is often a matter of worry if your baby is underweight or overweight; hence, consulting the doctor is highly recommended in such cases.

References

1. Wright CM. (2005). Growth charts for babies. BMJ

2. Dr Parekh, B, Dr Khadilkar, V. Paediatrician friendly IAP Growth Charts for 0-18 years. Indian Academy of Pediatrics

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Baby Weight Chart in Bengali, Baby Weight Chart in Tamil, Baby Weight Chart in Telugu

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