- Parental human capital and child health at birth in India. Econ Hum Biol. 2018 Sep;30:130-149. doi: 10.1016/j.ehb.2018.06.006. Epub 2018 Jun 30. - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30016748)
- Designing new growth charts for low-birth weight babies: need of the hour in India. Indian J Public Health. 2014 Apr-Jun;58(2):110-2. doi: 10.4103/0019-557X.132286. - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24820984)
- [WHO growth standards for infants and young children]. Arch Pediatr. 2009 Jan;16(1):47-53. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2008.10.010. Epub 2008 Nov 25. - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19036567)
- Maternal and child nutrition - (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11)
- WHO growth standards for use in US infants and children birth to 2 years - (https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who-growth-charts.htm )
- Baby Weight - (https://www.cgbabyclub.co.uk/baby/feeding/baby-weight.html)
- Health for all children, 4th edition - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2084033/)
- Determinants of rapid weight gain during infancy: baseline results from the NOURISH randomised controlled trial - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3226648/)
- https://www.felixhospital.com/blogs/tracking-infant-weight-gain - (https://www.felixhospital.com/blogs/tracking-infant-weight-gain )
- Your Newborn's Growth - (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/grownewborn.html)
- Factors affecting birth weight of a newborn--a community based study in rural Karnataka, India - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22792210/)
- Weight-for-age GIRLS - (https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_girls_z_0_5.pdf?ua=1)
- Weight-for-age BOYS - (https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/WFA_boys_0_5_zscores.pdf?ua=1)
- Newborn Measurements - (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=P02673)
- Average weight and growth chart for babies, toddlers, and kids - (https://www.babycenter.com/baby/baby-development/average-weight-and-growth-chart-for-babies-toddlers-and-beyo_10357633 )
- Infant and toddler health - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-growth/faq-20058037)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) - (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/bmi-charts.html)
- Factors affecting birth weight of a newborn -a community based study in rural Karnataka, India - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22792210)
- Your baby's weight and height - (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/height-weight-and-reviews/baby-height-and-weight/)
Interesting Facts
- The internet has unlimited access to growth charts to keep track of the normal growth rate of children. We have provided a standard chart from the Indian Association of Paediatrics & the WHO combined. This is different for boys and girls. (10✔, 11✔)
- At birth the average weight of a full-term female infant should ideally have an average weight of 3.23 kg or 7 lb 2 4 oz and male infant is 3.3 kg or 7 lb 6 oz at birth.
- Boys on average are slightly heavier and taller than girls, and their growth patterns are also different. Boys are usually 0.3 kg heavier than girls.
- Variations in the ideal weight score for the first two months may be minimal.
- Most charts presume that the baby is breastfed. In the first few months as breastfed babies grow at a different rate from formula-fed babies. Breast-fed babies during the first 2 months of life gain more height and weight and then grow less rapidly. During the second year and by the age of 3, breast-fed infants' growth is comparable to formula-fed infants' growth.




How and When to Measure Weight of the Infant
- Weigh the baby at birth at one week and then after 10 days. The weight is likely to be the same in a full-term baby.
- While there is no set formula, weighing the baby once a month up to one year should be sufficient unless there is a reason to weigh them more frequently..
- After their first birthday weigh them once in two to three months.
- It is more convenient to weigh the babies at the time of routine immunisations which is at 8, 12, and 16 weeks and 1 year.(4✔),(5✔)
- Make sure that the weighing machine has been calibrated, and preferably use the same machine every time. Use ‘Infant scales’ for babies up to 10kg.
- It is best to use weight measurement in kilograms (kg) and grams (g). The regular calibration of scales is very important in order to ensure accurate measurements.
- Infants can be weighed lying down whereas toddlers can be weighed sitting or standing
- Try not to use clothes or nappies when weighing the baby as it may add 200g or more to the weight.
References
- Parental human capital and child health at birth in India - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30016748)
- Designing new growth charts for low-birth weight babies: need of the hour in India - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24820984)
- [WHO growth standards for infants and young children] - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19036567)
- Maternal and child nutrition - (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11)
- Health for all children, 4th edition - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2084033/)
- Weight-for-age GIRLS - (https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_girls_z_0_5.pdf?ua=1)
- Weight-for-age BOYS - (https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/WFA_boys_0_5_zscores.pdf?ua=1)
FAQs
1. What is the ideal body weight for a 2-month-old infant?
The ideal weight for a 2-month-old infant is around 12 lb 6 oz (5.6 kg) for boys and 11 lb 4 oz (5.1 kg) for girls, though it can vary based on individual factors (13✔).
2. How can I help my infant reach their ideal weight?
Ensure proper feeding (breastfeeding or formula), maintain regular feeding schedules, and consult your pediatrician for guidance on nutrition and weight concerns (14✔).
3. Is my infant underweight or overweight?
Use growth charts from the WHO or CDC and consult your pediatrician to assess if your baby's weight falls within the healthy percentile range for their age (15✔).
4. What are the factors that influence infant weight?
Infant weight is influenced by genetics, feeding practices, sleep patterns, activity levels, and overall health or medical conditions (16✔).
5. How often should I weigh my infant?
After the first 2 weeks, your baby should be weighed:
- Once a month up to 6 months
- Once every 2 months from 6 to 12 months
- Once every 3 months after age 1
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My baby girl's weight at birth was 3100 gms.After 4 weeks it is 3330 gms.Is it normal?