My baby girl is five months old and weights 17lbs....?

Question

whats the average weight of a five month old..when i last took heer too the doctors the nurse told me the average weight if a 1 yr old is 20lbs..does my baby weighting 17lbs matter, is it okay..should i worry...she eats about 4 a day with 7or 8 ounces

Answer 1

Before I get to the growth charts I just want to say that you absolutely shouldn't worry. That many of the parents I know have babies waay off the charts, including myself. (Those charts are also old and based on begining weaning at 4 months or earlier.)

What really matters is that she is continuing more or less on the same curve and that her height to weight is good.


Here is the CDC growth chart for girls:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set1clinical/cj41c018.pdf

At 12 months the average is 20lbs, but anything between 12 & 25 is considered "normal"

At 5 months anything between 5 and 15lbs is considered "normal"

For 17 lbs, I would say anywhere between 27 & 31 inches in length would be normal. But staring at those charts makes me cross-eyed.

If it makes you feel any better mine was 20lbs at 4 months and was "only" 25lbs at 8 months. But I breastfeed and breastfed babies tend to gain more quickly the first 6 month and then slow down. When mine was 20lbs at 4 months I though I would never be able to find a carseat for him by the time he was 8 months. But it all worked out!

Answer 2

You don't need to worry. Your baby seems to be totally fine. I have a 5 month old boy and he is now 20lbs at 29 inches long and at 4 month he was 18.6lbs. My son is very strong and healthy. Your baby is at a good weight. My son feeds about 4 to 5 times a day and doing very well. He is so active and does not shows signs of laziness at all. Take care, you will be fine.

Answer 3

If your baby is healthy and seems fine otherwise, don't do anything. She'll be fine. If she isn't acting like she is starving and you aren't forcing her to eat, then do nothing. Have you started her on foods yet? If you have 2 small jars a day would be plenty and I would cut her bottles down to 2 with six ounces and 2 with 8 ounces. Remember that each child develops differently and at their own pace. Just because your child is above average doesn't mean anything.

Answer 4

My goddaughter was the same way, she weighed 10 pounds at birth, and was at about 17 lbs at 5 and 6 months,but now that she's been crawling and walking a little and becoming more active she's lost weight...she's just turned one and she's just over 20lbs, so don't worry it's normal and it will balance itself out once she is able to be more active.

Answer 5

Your baby is perfectly fine. Those "averages" that the docs have are just a guideline for what they think your child should be. All of my boys were in the upper percentile for their weights and they are in perfect health. Babies gain weight pretty good and once she starts walking and being more active, she will slim down. Don't worry. Shes 100% normal and healthy.

Answer 6

Just as all adults weigh different, all baby's do to. There is no goal weight for a 5 month old. Your doctor would advise you if she was too heavy. She will work it off with crawling and playing. Don't fuss over her weight.

Answer 7

My son is 5 1/2 months old, and he weighs 20 lbs. You should be proud that you have a big strong baby. As long as she's healthy, she's fine!

Answer 8

once she starts crawling alot of her weight will come off. She is just big for her age. My 6 month old is 16 lbs. Also depends on heigth as well as age. If you have a child that is tall for their age tehn a higher average weight is expected. i would not be concerned greatly right now if the peditrition is not.

Answer 9

she's a baby let her eat. she's fine just a lil over the average 5 month old. my cousing wore 15lbs when she was 2 months old. now she is 9 and is thin. once she started walking and school she played all that weight off. don't worry right now.

Answer 10

my son has been teetering on the high edge of the chart since he was born. he's 11 months and about 24 lbs. his weight gain has slowed with learning how to crawl, thank god. and now he's learning how to walk. it will be the same for you, when she starts becoming more active, her weight gain will slow. the formula you are giving her is about right, i think. 30 ounces or so. i wouldn't worry so much. doctors are, of course, going to tell you what's normal or expected. from what i hear from others with kids, though, it's more normal to be on the high end. especially with formula.