Importance of Weighing Babies

When your baby is born, she will be weighed and measured to determine whether her growth is normal for babies of her gestational age. Babies born early and babies born in multiples often weigh less than babies born full term or late, according to KidsHealth. As your baby ages, your health care provider will continue to monitor your baby̵7;s height and weight to ensure she is growing appropriately.

  1. Growth Charts

    • Your health care team will plot your baby̵7;s measurements on a set of growth charts appropriate to his age, gender and feeding method -- either those for a breastfed baby or a formula-fed baby. The charts plot growth based on a percentile compared to other babies of his gestational age and gender. Both height and weight percentiles are considered when assessing your baby̵7;s growth. The pattern of growth over time will help your pediatrician determine whether your child is growing at a normal rate.

    Confusion

    • Two sets of growth charts could be used in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends that the World Health Organization charts be used for babies through the child̵7;s second birthday, and then health care providers can switch to the CDC updated growth charts. The WHO charts present measurements based on ideal conditions, including a preference for breastfeeding, and are more accurate for determining your baby̵7;s best growth. In a comparison of the two sets of charts, your child could fall in different percentile categories, which might cause you unnecessary concern.

    Genetics

    • Your child̵7;s growth pattern is determined by more than what you feed her and how much she eats. Parental genetic make-up, environment and general health also affect your child̵7;s weight gain. If you or your partner were slow to gain weight or small in stature as children or displayed a pattern of growth spurts typical to your family, your child could follow the same pattern. Your health care provider will take these factors into consideration when determining whether your child̵7;s growth pattern needs careful follow-up or concern.

    Home Monitoring

    • Some parents monitor their child̵7;s weight gain at home. If you do so, use the same set of charts your pediatrician uses to avoid confusion and unnecessary concern. Your home scale could vary from the one at the doctor̵7;s office, which could also distort your perception of how well your child is growing. Although many parents have seen the growth charts, most cannot accurately interpret them and might worry unnecessarily, according to a study published in the September 2009 issue of "Pediatrics." If you have concerns about your child̵7;s growth pattern, express them to your pediatrician and sort it out together.

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