What you need to know about newborn weight gain

During childcare, one of the things you should be concerned about is the change in your baby's weight. You may feel anxious, wondering, "Is it increasing properly?" or "It's decreasing, but is it okay?" This time, we will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of weight gain in newborns based on survey data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Newborn baby weight fluctuations

Newborn babies may experience temporary weight loss. This is a natural phenomenon called "physiological weight loss" and is present in most babies. Once the baby starts drinking breast milk or formula, the weight will gradually recover, and in most cases the baby will return to its birth weight around 7 to 10 days after birth. After that, the weight will gradually increase as your baby grows.

At this stage, you may be worried about your baby losing weight, but there's no need to worry too much. What's important is that your baby is healthy, is drinking enough, and is able to defecate. It is important to monitor not only your weight but also your overall condition.

Estimated weight gain for boys and girls

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Infant Physical Development Survey, the median values (50th percentile) for boys and girls are as follows.

boy
・At birth: 3.06kg
・4th day after birth: 2.95kg
・30th day after birth (about 1 month): 4.15kg

girl
・At birth: 2.95kg
・4th day after birth: 2.82kg
・30th day after birth (about 1 month): 3.91kg

Both babies tend to lose a little weight immediately after birth, but you can see that they have steadily gained weight after a month. There are individual differences in how much weight you gain, but please use this as a reference to check whether you are growing normally.

Have you gained too much weight? Too little? What to do if you are concerned

You may feel that your baby is not gaining as much weight as you expected, or that it is gaining too much weight. In such a case, first consider reconsidering the amount and frequency of breastfeeding. There are times when the way you drink breast milk or milk is uneven, and it also changes depending on your constipation and physical condition.

If you are concerned, we recommend checking your weight gain on a weekly basis. Since there is some error in daily changes, it is safer to look at weekly averages. If you are still concerned, please consult your pediatrician.

Recommended article: How to breastfeed, tips for breastfeeding and recommended goods

Record small changes and realize daily growth

A baby's growth is reflected not only in weight, but also in the development of motor skills. For example, it is said that many babies are able to sit upright by the age of 4 to 5 months, and can roll over by the age of 6 to 7 months. These changes in movement are important signs that indicate the development of muscle strength and nerves.

In addition, little by little, your baby will be able to do things like sit down on his own, crawl, stand on his own, and walk on his own. These developmental milestones are also the timing when you can feel your baby's growth.

We also recommend taking photos and writing down childcare notes to record your child's daily growth. By leaving behind small changes, you can look back and realize how much you have grown, and it becomes a memory.

Key points to monitor your baby's growth, not just weight

Weight is an important indicator of your baby's growth, but it is not the only one. There are many signs of growth in your child's daily behavior, such as whether they are crying a lot, drinking enough, and moving their arms and legs.

Noticing small changes such as ``I feel like my baby is a little heavier than yesterday'' or ``My baby feels different when I hold him'' is also an important way to communicate with your baby. Such daily awareness is proof of growth that cannot be measured in numbers.

By gently watching over your baby's growth without rushing or comparing yourself too much, your worries about childcare will gradually subside. May you continue to spend peaceful time with your baby and be filled with smiles every day.