Every Month - On Libra!

Every month - on the scales!

When a little person appears in the family, parents are concerned about his health and proper development. The first questions asked after the birth of a baby concern the sex, weight and height of the child. But why are these indicators so important, and what should parents pay attention to to ensure the normal development of the long-awaited baby?

The weight and height of a newborn are important indicators of his health and development. The norm for a newborn is considered to be height from 46 to 56 cm and weight from 2600 to 4000 g. However, in addition to these indicators, the ratio of weight to height, known as the Quetelet I index, is also important. This indicator allows you to assess whether the baby received enough nutrition during the period intrauterine development. The norm is an index value ranging from 60 to 70. If this indicator is lower, this may indicate the presence of intrauterine malnutrition - a deficiency of mass in relation to the child’s height.

However, all the above rules apply only to babies born at term. If the child was born prematurely, then his weight and height are calculated based on the time of birth. For example, the average weight of a baby born at 32 weeks is from 1520 to 2020.

Children born with a body weight of 4000 g or more are considered large. However, being overweight is not a sign of diabetes. Rather, it may be a warning factor regarding maternal health, for example, carbohydrate metabolism disorders in a woman who has given birth to a large baby. However, this is not necessary. In addition, modern research shows that the risk of developing diabetes is higher in low birth weight babies (less than 2500 g at birth), and the lowest risk is in babies born weighing 4300 g or more.

Another important indicator is the weight loss of a newborn in the first days of his life. This is a natural process that is associated with the loss of water through the skin and lungs during breathing, the release of meconium and urine, and the fact that the baby still receives a small amount of milk from the mother. Maximum weight loss in most newborns occurs by days 3-5 and normally amounts to no more than 6-8% of body weight at birth.

In addition to monitoring body weight, doctors also evaluate other anthropometric indicators, such as head, chest and abdominal circumference, limb length and others. They allow you to determine whether a child meets a certain age norm and identify the presence of developmental deviations.

Parents can also monitor their child's development at home using special height and weight charts for children. If the child does not meet developmental standards, then it is necessary to contact a pediatrician for consultation and further examination.

In general, monitoring a child’s weight and growth is an important element of caring for his health and development. Regular measurements and analysis of indicators help to identify possible problems and take timely measures to eliminate them.