Nowadays, most parents are aware that being overweight or, on the contrary, low weight of the baby, can cause health problems and affect its development. Therefore, it is not for nothing that parents are informed about the growth of their children and know what the weight and height they should be according to age.
Average height and ideal weight in babies
At birth, the exact height and weight of the baby is determined in the hospital as these indicators are very important for future controls throughout its development. At that time, the ideal measurements for a full-term baby should range between 2,500 grams of minimum weight and 4,000 grams of maximum weight. However, in some cases the weight can go out of this range without posing a risk to the child.
In relation to height, a full-term baby should measure between 46 and 53.5 centimeters, although if it is a girl it is normal for it to measure a little less, between 45.5 and 53 centimeters. Obviously, these measurements tend to vary from one baby to another since height is determined by genetic inheritance, so that the larger the parents, the more likely they are that the little one will be larger, and vice versa.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the weight and height of the baby are also affected by other factors:
- The duration of pregnancy. The longer the baby is in the womb, the taller and heavier it will be. It is normal for a premature baby to be shorter in height and weight at birth than a full-term baby.
- The use of harmful substances during pregnancy. The consumption of some harmful substances during pregnancy, such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco, not only affect the health of the mother but also increase the risk of changes in the baby and affect its growth.
- The maternal diet during pregnancy. It has been shown that a low-calorie, low-nutrient diet during pregnancy can affect the growth of the baby, while increasing the risk of premature delivery.
- Complications during pregnancy. There are certain complications during pregnancy that can affect the growth of the baby in the womb. For example, if the mother has had gestational diabetes, the baby could be taller, but if the blood pressure was high during pregnancy, it could be smaller.
The ideal growth rate in babies
According to the World Health Organization, a normal child should grow at a rate of 3 to 5 centimeters per trimester. Regarding weight, it should increase on average between 750 and 900 grams per month during the first three months, 500 and 600 grams between the third and sixth month, about 350 or 400 grams between the sixth and ninth month, and between 250 and 300 grams per month after the ninth month and until one year of age. However, this growth can vary from one child to another depending on the weight of the baby at birth, as well as their sleeping and feeding habits.
In the table below you can find the appropriate weight and height ranges for your baby as he grows. Do not worry if it has grown a little more or has not grown as much as you expect, keep in mind that each baby has a different growth rate and that this does not necessarily imply that he has a delay in development. However, if there is a large difference between your baby’s height or weight compared to the standard values, he is gaining or losing weight rapidly or his height has stopped, it is better to consult a pediatrician to evaluate his growth rate.