Normal Growth Patterns In The Breastfed Baby'S First Year printable pdf download

Normal Growth Patterns In The Breastfed Baby'S First Year

NORMAL GROWTH PATTERNS IN THE BREASTFED BABY’S FIRST YEAR

NEWBORNS

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A weight loss of 5-7% is normal.

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A weight loss of 10% is acceptable to some professionals, but is a sign that

the baby needs close monitoring and mother needs help with breastfeeding.

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Baby should regain birth weight by 2 weeks of age.

WEIGHT GAIN

Months 1-4: 4 – 8 ounces per week (figured from lowest weight after birth)

Months 4-6: 3 – 5 ounces per week

*birth weight is doubled by 5 – 6 months*

Months 6–12 : 1 ½ – 3 ounces per week

GROWTH IN LENGTH

Months 1-4: 1 inch per month

Months 5-12: ½ inch per month

GROWTH IN HEAD CIRCUMFRANCE

Months 1-6: ½ inch per month

Months: 6-12: ¼ inch per month

AT 12 MONTHS OF AGE, MOST BABIES:

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Weigh about 2 ½ times birth weight (e.g. 8 lbs. at birth, 20 lbs. at 12months)

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Measure about 1 ½ times birth length (e.g. 20 in. at birth, 30 in. at 12 months)

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Measure about 1 1/3 times birth head circumference (e.g., 14 in. at birth, 18 ¾ at 12 months)

Adapted from : The Breastfeeding Answer Book, page 114, La Leche League International 1997

Normal Growth Patterns In The Breastfed Baby'S First Year