- Average birth weight can only be compared when looking at full term babies. A baby born before 37 weeks, for example, will and should weigh less than a full term infant. According to Pregnancy-info.net, the average weight range for infants is between 6 lbs., 2 oz. and 9 lbs., 2 oz. A very low birth weight baby weighs less than 3 lbs., 4 oz. A high birth rate baby weighs over 8 lbs., 14.8 oz.
- Birth weight is significant for the health of the child. A baby born with a low birth weight is more prone to infection, is at a higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and has a difficult time maintaining proper body temperature. High birth weight babies go through more grueling births and result in a higher rate of cesareans.
- Pregnancy-info.net states the main causes for low birth weight in babies include having a mother that smokes, does drugs or drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. Also, women who give birth under the age of 14 more often have low birth weight babies. High birth weight is often caused by gestational diabetes or the mother's excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
- Eyebrows don't raise too often when newborns of multiples fall into the low birth weight category. Although twins and triplets are often carried until full term, they are frequently very light in weight since they physically share a womb. Even if the mother does everything she should, twins and triplets are just smaller that singletons.
- There are long-term complications that may occur with very low birth weight babies. Pregnancy-info.net states the four most common are cerebral palsy, mental retardation, blindness and deafness. High birth weight babies also have complications. The most common is a difficult vaginal birth. Many times it ends in a cesarean birth. Longer term, they can have difficulty managing their own blood glucose which can lead to birth defects and difficulty with breathing.
