5.5lbs is considered small for gestation age in a term baby, this can be a sign of MANY health problems and certainly is not normal.
"Babies born under 2.5kg (5.5 pounds) are considered
low birth weight (LBW) babies.
A healthy birth weight is very important for a good start in life. Low birth weight babies are at a high risk of experiencing health and developmental problems. They are born either preterm (less than 37 completed weeks of gestation) or small for gestational age (SGA - less than 10th percentile for gestational age) or both. When a mother is healthy, she is more likely to have a healthy baby.
Low Birth Weight Changes Everything.
LBW babies can have life-long health problems
LBW is the main reason babies die in the first year of life
In Canada, approximately 6% of all births are LBW babies. The costs to care for the immediate needs of theses babies, and to provide the long-term care and special attention that some will need throughout life are extremely high :
2006-12-27 09:14:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
http://www.successby6ottawa.ca/lbwfpn/english/
Why do so many people thing 5-7lbs is normal
In some places 7lbs 4oz is considered average, in Canada and many Eurpean countries the average is 8lbs.
That means some are smaller and some is bigger. 6-10 lbs is generally considered normal! (Over 4500 grams is considered large for gestation age, at term) But there are far more problems associated with being small that large.
Where are all of you getting your misinformation?
2006-12-27 09:17:20 · update #1
On a pregnancy chat board I used to be on, some of the moms went on and on about how cute and precious tiny babies were. I was stunned to hear them hope for lower weight babies.
My first was 9lbs and my second was 8lbs, and they couldn't be more precious to me by being smaller! I like my big, healthy, robust babies!
2006-12-27 09:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Really? Then I should have all sorts of life-long health problems right? I was born 5Ibs 3oz so what now?? I don't have health problems and I don't get sick unless everyone around me is and usually I don't even then. This is the problem with average crap. Average does not mean squat. It should be reported as a range and not an average.
2006-12-27 09:27:05 · answer #2 · answered by omvg1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son was born at 35 weeks with no health problems. He was and is healthy. He is now 5 years old. When he was born he weighed 4lbs, 15.6oz and was 17 inches long. He went home with me the same day i got out. (We stayed for 3 days-I had a c-section-
I think it is okay if a baby is 5 pounds. I would rather have a small baby than one that looks like it is 3 months old when it is first born
2006-12-27 10:50:57 · answer #3 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Where are YOU getting the info? Do you know how many LIFE LONG risks are associated with large birth weight babies? 60% more likely to be diabetics, 85% more likely to be obeise, also more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease. Plus, you keep saying Canada...GREAT FOR FREAKIN CANADA! In AMERICA the average birth weight (which is considered healthy) is 7 lbs and 10 ounces. Read something else would ya!? I know lots of people with babies below 5.5 lbs and they are PREFECTLY fine! Including myself thanks!
2006-12-27 09:28:33 · answer #4 · answered by angie_laffin927 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
well considering that you are a dog ...the heavier the baby the less likely it is that you are going to pick it up in your rabid mouth and runaway ......have you not heard the story of the dingo ...you dogs don't give up do ya . go hunt the 3 lil' pigs or lil' red ridin' hood ...geez.
2006-12-27 09:19:16 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus G 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I dunno but our preemie weighed more than several of the full term babies when she was born
2006-12-27 09:27:52 · answer #6 · answered by laura468 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question.
2006-12-27 09:23:55 · answer #7 · answered by Rosee 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋