WEIGHT CHECKS...

Growing...too big, too small, or just right?

Twice a month, when I weigh Lexi, her mom looks at the scale and, seconds later, asks, "Did she gain enough?"

I expect the question, so I am prepared. I plot Lexi's weight. Good news...Lexi's growth is on track.

But sometimes, parents ask a different question. "How much should she gain each week?"

I don't like this question. It's harder to estimate accurately, in part, because the number changes, depending on the child's age and size. Even though Lexi needs to gain 5 ounces this week, her twin sister, Amanda, needs to gain a bit more. And next month, Lexi will need to gain less.

Despite the challenge of giving accurate estimates, growth is an important part of monitoring a young child's health. Parents who want general guidelines can use the chart below.

Desired weight gain per week

Age (in months)            Weight (ounces)

1-6                         5-6

6-12                       3-5

12-15                     2

15-36                     1.5

36-48                     1.2

As the chart shows, even though kids are constantly growing bigger, after the first birthday, they generally grow slower. Parents often miss this along with other, less obvious truths about growth. So often, regular doctor visits is the best way to gauge whether or not a child's growth is on track.

Adpated from, JUST TWO MORE BITES ©2006 Linda Piette