Most birth announcements will include the baby's height and length. And no wonder: It is vital data. Falling into the normal range for size is a good start for an infant, suggesting good health. But remember, each baby is different, and even those who fall a bit outside the normal range are usually fine nonetheless. If you have concerns about your newborn's dimensions, address them with a doctor.
AVERAGE
A typical baby delivered following a full 40-week pregnancy is between 19 and 21 inches long, according to KidsHealth.org. The average weight is between 6 pounds, 2 oz. and 9 pounds, 2 oz. Length of gestation is the most significant factor in how big your baby will be, with those born earlier tending to weigh less. Twins and higher-order multiples are generally smaller both because they are born earlier and because lack of space restricted their growth. On the part of the mother, heart problems, high blood pressure and use of alcohol or tobacco can lead to lower birth weight.
The average size of babies born in the United States is shrinking, researchers reported in February 2010. From 1990 to 2005, the weight fell 1.83 oz. to 7 lbs., 7.54 oz. For the study, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sara Donahue of Boston University and her colleagues examined 37 million birth records. They have not determined a reason for the drop or what effects it may have on infant health.
EARLY GROWTH
Expect your baby's weight to decrease by 7 to 10 percent in the first few days of life as extra fluid is lost. Two weeks later, the baby will typically have regained the weight. Then, through age 6 months, your infant is likely to grow a half-inch to an inch per month and gain 5 to 7 oz. per month, according to Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant Dr. Jay L. Hoecker.
HEALTH ISSUES
The March of Dimes considers children born at less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces as having low birth weight, which accounts for 1 in 12 babies born in the United States. Potential health complications vary based on just how low the birth weight is. They include respiratory distress, bleeding of the brain and heart, intestinal problems and eye problems. Low birth-weight babies often must spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
TYPES
No matter your newborn's length and weight at birth, future growth will fall into a pattern based on genetics and temperament. "Banana" babies are long and lean and burn calories rapidly, according to Dr. William Sears, a physician who runs a medical-information Web site with his wife, Martha Sears, a nurse. On growth charts, they commonly fall above average on height and below average on weight. At the other end of the spectrum are "apples" and "pears." They naturally tend toward pudginess and chart lower on height. Also, babies with a high-energy personality tend to burn more calories, and thus be thinner, than mellower babies.
No comments:
Post a Comment