How to Keep Baby at a Healthy Weight

The main indicator of a baby's health is his weight. Underweight babies or those who don't gain weight are a cause for concern among doctors. Doctors also worry about overweight babies, although to a lesser degree. Read on to learn how to keep your baby in good health and at a healthy weight.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Learn your baby's feeding signals. Babies know when they are full and will tell you with a cry or a turn of the head. Don't force food on your baby once he has given you one of these signals.
2. Find soothing methods that don't involve food. Just because your baby cries it doesn't necessarily mean he's hungry. Give him a toy or a pacifier first and see if those work.
3. Give your baby a chance to exercise. Give him plenty of tummy time and time on his back to work those muscles. This will give him a chance to work off those extra calories too.
4. Know the growth chart and where you baby fits. Find out his weight and height at each doctor's visit.
5. Check for proportional growth on the growth chart. The percentile your baby falls into is not as important as keeping his growth height proportional to his growth weight—meaning he should gain weight and get taller at the same rate.
6. Look for a pattern. If your baby is in the eitieth percentile, that's fine. When he drops from that percentile to the forty-fifth percentile, that's not OK. Discuss any sudden changes in either direction with your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to worry too much. Babies are supposed to be round and padded. They like to exercise and know when to stop eating, so if you follow your baby's cues you should be fine.
• Always feed your baby when he is hungry and never withhold food, even if you think he's too heavy. Consult your pediatrician and discuss ways to cut down the calories.