I am concerned about my baby’s weight gain relative to the weight charts. Following are her measurements:
| Age | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|
| birth | 8 pounds 5 ounces | 21.5 inches |
| 2 months | 11 pounds 10 ounces | 25 inches |
| 4 months | 13 pounds 10 ounces | 26.25 inches |
| 6 months | 15 pounds | 26.75 inches |
| 9 months | 16 pounds 9 ounces | 27.75 inches |
My 9-month-old daughter eats breast milk, fruits, vegetables, rice cereal and whole wheat bagels. Recently, she has begun eating 3 solid food meals a day of 3 to 4 tablespoons each.
From 7 to 9 months, however, she ate only 2 meals a day each one consisting of a tablespoon of rice cereal and a tablespoon of fruit or vegetable.
I have three questions:
- My daughter’s weight, from one measurement to the next, has dropped more than two percentile values relative to the charts that our pediatrician uses. Her 9-month weight is listed as the 20th percentile while her 6-month weight is at the 75th. Our pediatrician isn’t concerned. She looks well-fleshed and is extremely active (standing, cruising, and crawling). I’d value your opinion of her weight gain.
- From reading your website today I see that breastfed babies tend to weigh less than their formula-fed counterparts. Where can I get the Worldwide Health Organization’s charts? Perhaps they would give me a better idea of my daughter’s weight relative to other breastfed babies.
- Because my daughter’s birth weight is large relative to her current weight, I wonder if I gained too much weight during my pregnancy. I gained 30 pounds and was 5’5, 137 pounds before becoming pregnant. Should I strive to gain less weight with a second pregnancy?
Thanks for your help.
First, relax as your daughter is gaining weight and physically active. I would be concerned if her weight had a plateau or she was just lying around not moving. Babies will eat when hungry and it is best not to make a big deal about food. Children quickly learn what gets their parent’s attention. The foods she is eating sound fine other than I would expand the variety of cereals and bread unless she has had a problem with oat, rye or barley grains.
If her doctor isn’t concerned, then I would definitely say “relax” as he is also looking at her physical health.
If you would like to check out a kid calculator that I am still testing and are willing to keep the web address confidential for your daughter’s use only, please reply.
Here are the URLs for the World Health Organization growth charts.
As to weight gain for the next pregnancy, check it out yourself with the Healthy Body Calculator as it works for pregnant women also. It will take your pre-pregnant weight into consideration and add the appropriate amount. A 25 – 30-pound weight gain is fine for normal weight women which you are.
Have fun with your new baby as they are a joy who grow up too fast.
