Weight gain is one of the many signs of good health in a baby.  It is possible for a perfectly healthy baby to gain weight slowly because its just  his/her  unique growth pattern. In other cases, the cause of poor growth in children is not known. If your baby is not gaining weight according to a certain pattern, you should talk to your doctor or lactation consultant. Your provider will try to find out if the slow growth rate in  your child is normal  or the result of something else.

The difference between a slow weight gainer and a weight gain problem

A baby who is naturally a slow weight gainer still gains weight steadily  though slowly. That is :

• Stays on a particular growth curve.
• Growth in length and head circumference  is according to the typical rates of growth.
• Wakes up on his or her own, is alert and wants to feed normally like an infant should.
• Has about the same number of wet or soiled diapers like a fast growing baby.

Weight gain is a problem when the infant :

• Doesn’t gain about an ounce per day (30g/day) until 3 months of age.
• Doesn’t  regain birth weight by 10 to 14 days after birth.
• Doesn’t gain about 0.67 ounces per day (20g/day) between 3 and 6 months of age.
• Has a dramatic drop in weight growth ( that is length, weight or head circumference) from his/her  previous curve.

Talk to your health care provider if you have a problem with your baby’s weight gain.