Newborn weight gain is inevitable in the first weeks of your baby’s life. Your little one will gain weight no matter how much you feed him/her. It is completely up to you as a parent, whether or not you consider it normal for your baby to gain weight during the first weeks. Your baby may even be born prematurely and this can also contribute to the amount of weight that he/she gains during the first few weeks. Even newborn babies can gain weight if their bodies are underdeveloped. Here are some tips to help you with weight gain:
Your Newborn’s Growth
During the first weeks of your baby’s life, his/her growth is very small. It takes time for him/her to develop and reach his full size. The little one may gain weight during this period. The amount of weight, your baby may gain during this period is totally normal. However, you need to make sure that this is not excessive and is within the range of normal growth for your baby.
Your Newborn’s Age
Newborns vary in terms of their age. Your baby’s weight gain during the first few weeks is perfectly normal. Most doctors would recommend that your newborn gain about 3.5 ounces for every pound of his/her body weight every week. You need to remember that this can only be done if your baby has just started to develop and does not have developed fully.
Your Baby’s Gender
Some people believe that the baby’s gender has a lot to do with the amount of weight that he/she gains during the first few weeks. But this is not true at all. In fact, it is more likely to have to do with the development and size of your baby’s genitals. The penis of your baby grows continuously during the first few months and it will continue to grow until he/she is between the age of one to four months. So if you are expecting a girl, then you need to allow your baby’s genitals to be longer than that of a boy.
Your Newborn’s Development
During the first few months of your baby’s development undergoes a huge change. It experiences more muscle growth and that leads to an increase in his/her body mass. He/she will be eating a lot more meals than before. This is totally normal and your baby is doing fine.
Your Newborn’s Nutrition
One of the most important things that affect your baby’s weight gain is the food that he/she consumes. Before the baby is weaned and starts getting food from his/her mother, the baby’s nutritional needs are being satisfied. If you are breastfeeding, then it is definitely advised that your baby should receive breast milk as the main source of nutrients as it helps in the proper growth of your baby’s body.
Your Newborn’s Excessive Weight Gain
You might be thinking about what you can do about this? The answer is simple – exercise. As it is well known, exercising helps to burn up the extra fat in our body. As your baby grows, you need to take him/her to the gym several times a week. You can also involve your baby in various other activities that also help in weight loss. Dancing, kickboxing, and swimming are some of the most effective exercises that can help in losing weight.
Your Newborn’s Height and Weight
If you want to see any significant change in your newborn’s height and weight, then you should keep a check on them from time to time. It is not advised that you keep a watch on their growth all the time, but you can notice when they are growing abnormally. Some parents try to observe their child while playing or sleeping, and while doing so they feel disturbed by the growth. If such a thing happens, then you need to take steps quickly to stop it.