Your baby's weight and height
Steady weight gain is one of the signs that your baby is healthy and feeding well.
It's normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days after birth.
Your baby will be weighed during their first 2 weeks to make sure they're regaining their birth weight. Most babies are at, or above, their birth weight by 3 weeks.
A midwife or health visitor will support you if your baby loses a large amount of weight or does not regain their birth weight by 3 weeks.
They'll talk to you about how feeding is going, possibly ask to observe a feed if you're breastfeeding, and look at your baby's health in general.
How often should my baby be weighed?
After the first 2 weeks, your baby should be weighed:
no more than once a month up to 6 months of age
no more than once every 2 months from 6 to 12 months of age
no more than once every 3 months over the age of 1
Your baby will usually only be weighed more often than this if you ask for it or if there are concerns about their health or growth.
Your baby's length may also be measured at some of their developmental reviews.
A healthy, full-term newborn typically weighs between 2.5 kg and 4.0 kg (
), with 3.0–3.3 kg (
) being average. Babies often lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week, regaining it within 10–12 days. They generally double their birth weight by 4 months and triple it by age one.
Key Healthy Weight Milestones (Approximate)
Birth: 2.5–4.0 kg
3 Months: 4.6–7.4 kg (girls), 5.1–7.9 kg (boys)
6 Months: 5.8–9.2 kg (girls), 6.4–9.7 kg (boys)
12 Months (1 Year): 9–11 kg (average range)
Factors Influencing Weight
Gender: Boys often weigh slightly more than girls.
Nutrition: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy affects birth weight.
Gestational Age: Babies born before 37 weeks often weigh less, while those born late may weigh more.
Monitoring Weight Gain
It is normal for infants to gain about 800–1000g per month in the first 3 months, slowing to 600-800g for the next 3 months, and roughly 500g per month between 6 and 12 months. Pediatricians use WHO growth charts to track weight based on percentiles, rather than just the absolute number.
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