How much weight loss is normal after birth, how often to weigh her, and how to read the centile lines on her growth chart.
In short
- Losing some weight after birth is normal.
- Most babies regain birth weight by 3 weeks.
- Her pattern on the chart matters most.
The first weeks
It is normal for her to lose some weight in the first few days. A midwife or health visitor weighs her in her first 2 weeks. This checks she is getting back to her birth weight. Most babies are at or above their birth weight by 3 weeks.
If she loses a lot of weight, or is not back to her birth weight by 3 weeks, your midwife or health visitor will help. They will ask how feeding is going. They may watch a feed.
How often to weigh her
After the first 2 weeks, if all is well, she needs weighing no more than:
- once a month, up to 6 months
- once every 2 months, from 6 to 12 months
This gives a clear idea of her weight gain over time. She is weighed more often only if you ask, or if there is a worry about her growth.
Reading her growth chart
Her weight is plotted on a chart, often in her red book. The curved lines are called centile lines. They show how healthy babies usually grow. The charts work for breastfed and formula-fed babies alike. Boys and girls have different charts.
Her weight may not follow one line exactly. Moving up or down by 1 centile line is common. Crossing 2 lines is less common. If that happens, talk to your health visitor.
She may be on different centiles for weight and length. They are usually fairly close. Every baby is different, even brothers and sisters.
She gains weight fastest in her first 6 months. Then it slows down. If she is ill, her weight gain may slow for a while. It usually gets back to normal within 2 to 3 weeks.
