My baby has been weighed 3 times, once at birth, once at 8 days, and once at 12 weeks. She is now eight months old and I guess around 19lbs. People who have weighed their child more than this, can you tell me why? Everyone seems to be weighing left right and centre. My motto is as long as it goes in one end, comes out of the other and is happy in the middle, there's no worries!!!
Thankyou all in advance for your answers :)
2007-07-17 12:02:10 · 12 answers · asked by Up-side-down 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
They weigh babies so often to keep track of their growth. My daughter is weighed every time she goes to the doctor, and she then shows me where she falls on the growth chart. It is a very useful tool, especially once babies start eating solids because you can use their weight to make sure they are getting everything they need to be. Also, when and if you have to give your baby medicine, you go by their weight to determine the dosage until they are about Two years old.
2007-07-17 12:20:52 · answer #1 · answered by Tiggy's Momma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was weighed at birth, before leaving the NICU 3 days later, at several doctor's visits since, and at her 2 month appointment. I also took her to the doctor 6 days after her 2 months shots, and she had lost 1 ounce. She NEVER lost weight before, not even her first few days, and she had been gaining an ounce or more a day. I'm taking her back tomorrow to be weighed again and make sure she is gaining again.
Since she is breastfed, it's hard to know how much she is actually eating. I like to make sure she is still gaining steadily so that I can be sure my milk supply is sufficient.
2007-07-17 20:18:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people like milestones. It's sometimes fun to put all that stuff in a scrapbook. If you bring your baby in for an ear infection, they weigh them, so it's not that unusual. I agree..really, you can see if your baby is growing or not. I don't think anybody gets that anxious over it unless they have a baby that isn't doing so good and then every few ounces is a reason to cheer. Going through that right now with a failure-to-thrive kitten. If she gains any weight, we're excited.
2007-07-17 19:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by TotalRecipeHound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just to check your baby is gaining the correct weight at the right speed, to check that she is getting the right nutrition from whatever feed she is on. In some babies there may be other health issues and if they check on the babies weight these can be found early enough to treat!
Your motto is right but some people have no idea at all so all the help you can get is an added bonus!
2007-07-17 19:07:11 · answer #4 · answered by Lindy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It to chart her growth. Your doctor wants to make sure she isn't under or overweight for her age. There is a certain weight she should weigh at each stage. You should be able to get your doctor to explain the importance and also to let you know how much she should weigh at each age.
It's the same with measuring the crown of the head. They want to make sure she doesn't have any swelling of the head, as this is a birth defect which can be a sign of learning disorders.
2007-07-17 19:06:56 · answer #5 · answered by Malina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, although I do allow my children to be weighed just for curiosity. If it is taken too seriously and too much expected of it to be a certain weight it only puyts stress and pressure on the parents which in turn is felt by the baby.
2007-07-17 19:11:34 · answer #6 · answered by Betsy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are checking to make sure she is getting enough nutrition. I have an 8 month old that is only 12.15pounds and I keep having to go get her weighed to see if she gains.
2007-07-17 19:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Mel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The conern is that the baby is not nourished. Therefore, one way to make sure baby is getting enough nourishment is to make sure she is growing and gaining weight. Not growing and gaining weight can be a sign of serious problems and disease.
2007-07-17 19:06:39 · answer #8 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is vital to ensure that your baby is growing properly. Even as little as a pound loss in a baby can mean something is drastically wrong. It's called "failure to thrive" My oldest son didn't develope his milk alergy til he was almost 6 months old... if it hadn't been for his weight check we may have dismissed it as something minor.
2007-07-17 19:08:00 · answer #9 · answered by Kishauna_P 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm sure they weigh the baby just too make sure that he/she is healthy, or not getting to much food! there just doing it because they want the best for the baby.. and doing there job... =0)
2007-07-17 19:07:08 · answer #10 · answered by southernprideinmyveins420 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋