✓ How much do babies grow in the first few months. The most important phases

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How much do babies grow in the first few months

La growth is one of the main issues of attention and concern in caring of a newborn. However, growth does not mean only theweight gain, but also the lunghezza and head circumference.

During the first days of life, most newborns lose some weight and since the frequency of this phenomenon is very high, we talk about physiological weight loss. This is a transient weight loss ranging from 5 to 10% of the initial weight. After a couple of weeks, the baby regains the lost weight. (it may happen that he loses more weight than expected due to initial difficulties and therefore takes more than two weeks to return to birth weight)

During early childhood, the organism grows rapidly. Most babies double your weight around 5 months e around the year it triples it. The length increases by 2cm per month in the first year and 1cm per month in the second year. The head circumference also increases by 12 cm in the first year of life.

To evaluate the growth of a newborn it is advisable to refer to tools that allow to measure the growth of the child according to the parameters established by'World Health Organization, le curve di growth, a graph depicting the increase over time of parameters auxologici (weight, height, head circumference and body mass index) and the calculation of percentiles.

La growth assessment of a child is up to the pediatrician of trust that not only takes into account the percentiles recorded at the time of the visit but also other parameters such as gestational age, weight and length at birth, the build of the parents, the measurements taken previously.

Growth spurt

The growth spurt is a time when the baby grows faster than at other times in his life. It is a normal phase that can happen to every child at different times. The little one may appear insatiable, whiny, more in need of sucking and full of needs to be satisfied. An uncomfortable situation for both mother and baby.

These shoots usually take place around 2-3 weeks, around 6 weeks and around 3 months. It is the time when the baby needs to eat more because its energy needs increase.

It is important to face this moment of growth serenely and to know that once this phase of discomfort is over, everything will return to normal.

How long do babies grow in length

in first months of life the length of a child increases by approx 2,5 cm about a month.
A 6 months la medium length reached corresponding to the 50th percentile will be 65 cm about for females and of 67 cm about for males.

From seventh to ninth month the child increases by about 4-5 cm
From tenth to twelfth month grows approximately of others 4-5 cm
A 12 months, the average height achieved corresponding to the 50th percentile will be 73,5 cm about for females and of 75,5 cm about for males.

How they grow in weight

As we have already said, in the First week we are witnessing the so-called "physiological decline", which is a decrease in weight. The infant regains its birth weight normally within two weeks of life.

We are therefore witnessing a weight gain of the newborn in different ways. There can be various fluctuations from week to week, with increments of 100-300 grams or even more per week or variable growths.

From 6 to 9 months the baby will have to gain about 300-500 grams per week.
By the end of the 9th month she should have reached around 9-10 kg.
Al sixth month the average weight reached by the child corresponding to the 50th percentile will be About 7,2 kg for females and About 7,9 kg for males.
A 12 mesi the average weight achieved corresponding to the 50th percentile will be 9,5 kg about for females and About 10,3 kg for males.

When infants slow down growth

When growth of child is less than the 3-5 percentile (in height, weight, or both), we speak of poor growth, both weight and statural. This is a symptom that worries parents so much.

In order to define the low growth it is necessary to contact the pediatrician of trust that will evaluate not only the single value but also the performance of the his personal growth curve: some children take weight starting from birth, others gain enough weight for a while and then slow down.

A weight gain that deviates significantly from the WHO curves must be carefully considered, but it cannot be the only way to assess if breastfeeding is going well and if there is a need to supplement with a formula.

The reasons why a newborn does not take weight adequately (150 grams per week in the first trimester of life) can be different:

was born premature,
not getting enough milk,
has difficulty in sucking,
suffer from reflux which interferes with proper breastfeeding;
have episodes of diarrhea;
is allergic to milk proteins which can cause growth failure;
you have taken too much water or drinks such as chamomile or herbal tea,
he may have infectious pathologies.

How much weight should a newborn gain in a week

In the first phase of growth there is rapid weight gain which should be at least 150 grams per week for the first 2-3 months. Then the weight gain rate decreases slightly.

How much do they grow in a month

After the first 10 days, in which weight loss may occur, the weight it should increase by at least 150g per week (in the first 2-3 months), then by approx 500/600 g per month.
La lunghezza at birth it is about 50 cm, with little difference between males and females. In the first month it grows by about 5 cm, later by about 2-3 cm per month.
La head circumference, at birth about 35 cm, it grows in the first month is 2 or 3 cm, therefore about 1 cm per month.

Infant growth chart month by month

It is very important to consider that if everything goes smoothly, a child should:

latch on to the breast at least 7/8 times in a day,
swallow while feeding by emptying the breasts
showing satisfaction after breastfeeding
wet at least 6 diapers with pee and discharge at least 3 times in 24 hours
have good muscle tone.

Consequently it is important that each child follows a predetermined curve and that his growth is taking place in a harmonious way.

Below we show you the growth charts of the newborn, month by month, divided by sex.

The tables derive from official international sources.

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child growth
stages of growth
child growth curve
newborn 9-12 months

How much do babies grow in the first few months. The most important phases