Checking growth to know if your baby is feeding enough

A regular and accurate measurement of growth in babies is important as poor growth may indicate underlying disease or poor nutritional intake. Growth charts are used to monitor growth, but they need to be correctly plotted and interpreted.

Weight

The weighing of infants and children are incorporated into existing screening programmes at the following times:

• 8 weeks
• 3 months
• 4 months
• 12 - 15 months

However, any concerns regarding possible growth problems in either length or weight should be reviewed whenever necessary.

Below are approximate average expected weight gains for a healthy infant born after 37 weeks.

• 200g/week in first 3 months
• 150g/week in the second 3 months
• 100g/week in third 3 months
• 75g/week in the fourth 3 months
• birth weight usually doubles by 4 months and triples by 12 months