Normal Birth Weight

You've finally given birth and now, as you stare at your newborn's tiny red body and wrinkled skin, you may be wondering about his weight. Knowing basic facts about normal birth weight will help ease your mind as you adjust to life as a new parent.

Weight Range

According to KidHealth.Org, the majority of babies born full term (37 to 40 weeks) weigh between 6 pounds, 2 ounces and 9 pounds, 2 ounces.

Factors

Factors potentially affecting a baby's birth weight include birth order, the mother's size, the parents' size, your baby's gender (girls are usually smaller), multiple births (twins or triplets), and the mother's health and nutrition during pregnancy.

Weight Loss after Birth

Many babies lose a little weight in the first week after birth (usually less than 10 percent of their birth weight), especially those who are breast-fed, as they lose fluids and adjust to drinking milk for the first time.

Significance

Delivering a baby within the normal birth weight range indicates your baby's overall good health. Babies born with low birth weight (below 5 pounds, 8 ounces) or high birth weight (above 9 pounds, 3 ounces for boys, and 8 pounds, 9 ounces for girls) tend to have more initial health problems such as the inability to maintain body temperature.

Considerations

Factors such as genetics and good nutrition play the most important roles in determining your infant's eventual weight as a child and adult.

References

• KidsHealth.Org

Resources

• Pregnancy-Info.Net