Yes, it’s important to monitor your newborn’s weight. But the parenting article from the 1950s that suggested moms weigh their babies regularly seemed to suggest that this should be done at home. Most parents don’t have scales that are appropriate for use with a baby, so it’s not clear what they were supposed to use for this task — a kitchen scale?
A much better option is to attend all newborn appointments with your pediatrician, who will weigh your baby, advise accordingly and allay any fears you may have about your infant’s weight. Incidentally, most babies who are born full term (at 38 to 40 weeks gestation) weigh between 6 to 9 pounds. Birth weight can be affected by many factors, such as whether the baby is born earlier or later than full term, the mother’s health during the pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy and genetic factors like the parents’ build.
Don’t worry if your newborn loses some weight in the first five to seven days of life — most do. It’s normal for formula-fed babies to lose up to 5 percent of their birth weight, while a 7 to 10 percent loss is considered normal for breastfed babies. Most babies regain this lost weight by the time they are 2 weeks old.
