HOW TO INCREASE THE WEIGHT OF THE BABY (BIRTH TO 6 MONTH) ; CAUSES, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

HOW TO INCREASE WEIGHT OF INFANT (BIRTH TO 6 MONTH)? PART-1
During the first 6 month of age, babies gain weight and grow more rapidly than at any time of life. It is advisable to compare weight with height for assessment of growth as it ensures that the baby is gaining weight in comparison to their height. If a baby is not gaining adequate weight then it can have serious implications on overall development.
Remember... Proper evaluation and diagnosis is key in the treatment.
❇️ Normal development
🔹 Weight of infant at birth is around 2.5 to 3.5 kg.
🔹If weight of baby is less than 2.5kg then it is called low birth weight. 
🔹 If your baby is born before 9 month of gestational period then it is called premature baby.  This is important to understand the growth of a baby during first 6 month. 
🔹 All babies including premature or full term low birth weight- losses weight around 5 to 10% of birth weight for first 10 days. 
🔹 In first 3 month.....
▪️Full term- baby weight increases by 900 gram per month. 
▪️Preterm baby weight increases slowly initially then starts gaining weight later in infancy. It depends on how prematurely the baby is born.
▪️ Full term low birth weight baby- weight increases by 900 to 1200 gram per month and may catch up later in infancy. 
In short.. Better to get monitored at a baby clinic regularly particularly if the baby is born prematurely or low birth weight.
🔹 From 3 to 6 month of age, baby gain weight around 450 gram per month.
Remember... Guidelines are there for your benefits.
❇️ Causes of poor weight gain
It is important to recognize and treat poor weight gainers in early infancy as it may be a sign of an underlying medical disorder that requires treatment.
🔹 Mother milk production is low
▪️ Very rarely as nature had protected the baby at the cost of mother. Even if the mother is suffering from illness or not taking enough food or supplements then also milk production is normal.
▪️ Low self confidence is a major reason for low milk production.
▪️ Household stress due to any reason.
 In short... Always give priority to mental health
🔹 Baby is not taking enough in spite of good milk production.
▪️ Poor lactation techniques
▪️Local breast problems like Breast engorgement or crack nipple of breast.
▪️ Local oral infection of the baby.
▪️ Anatomical defect of oral cavity like cleft lip/ palate or sometime tongue tie.
▪️Preterm or low birth weight baby as they are unable to suck enough milk.
Remember... You are not the only one who is having this problem.
🔹 Switch nursing
It means breastfeeding from one breast then switching to another breast immediately. This usually interferes with your baby getting enough calorie rich hind milk as every breast produces foremilk ( more water, less food) initially.
In short... Always follow instructions
🔹 Underlying medical disorder in babies.
▪️ Congenital defect
▪️ Baby was admitted in NICU
▪️ Repeated febrile illness
▪️ Persistent vomiting
           ....... Many more.
 In short.... Knowing the exact cause helps in the treatment.
❇️ Complications of undernutrition
This may have immediate serious complications or long term morbidity ......
🔹 Weakened immune system causing repeated illness 
🔹 Delayed milestone 
🔹 Poor height gain
🔹 Difficulties with learning 
 Remember.... Never ignore warning sign
❇️ Investigation
If your pediatrician is suspecting underlying medical disorder in the baby then a lot of investigation will be required.
Remember... Following Dr advice is key in the treatment.
❇️ Treatment
Three types of the treatment is required....
🔶 Treatment of underlying cause
🔶 Supplementation for catch up growth
🔶 Prevention of illness
Remember... It is a combination of all the three treatments for catch up growth.
🔶 Treatment of underlying cause
     ----------------------------------------------------
🔹 Increase milk  production
▪️Positive family environment
▪️ Always talk positive with mother regarding breastfeeding. 
️ Lactation leaves as it provides adequate rest to the mother and creates bonding between mother and child.
▪️ Breastfeed more often as it increases milk production.
▪️ Pump between feeding as it increases milk production.
▪️ Provide adequate food and supplements.
️ Reassure mother regarding enough milk as the baby is having adequate urine output.
▪️ Don't lebel low milk production for crying babies as there are a lot of other reasons.
▪️ Ask your Dr for supplements.

🔹 Baby is not taking enough
▪️Poor lactation techniques or local breastfeeding problem
➖ "Breastfeeding" Read this blog on my website...'Positiveparenting1208.blogspot.com or watch video on YouTube channel...'Dr Ashish Agrawal.' to learn various proper breastfeeding techniques and solve local local breastfeeding problems.
▪️ Local oral problem
➖ Consult your pediatrician
▪️ Preterm baby or low birth weight
➖ You can feed expressed breast milk by wati & spoon till baby reach 2500 gram.
➖ Even if you are feeding expressed breast milk, allow baby to suck on breast as it increases breast milk production and develop bonding.
🔹 Avoid switch nursing 
🔹 Underlying medical disorders
▪️Consult Paediatrician.
🔶 Supplement for catch up growth 
▪️ Consult Pediatrician
▪️ Follow up regularly as advice by your Doctor 
In short...  Self medication causes more harm than benefits.
🔶 Prevention of illness
 "Guide to Parents" ... Read this blog on my website or watch videos on my YouTube channel.
 In short... Prevention is better than cure.
❇️ Slow growth pattern 
Sometimes, a perfectly healthy baby simply gains weight slowly because it's just his or her own unique growth pattern. 
A baby who is a natural slow gainer still gains weight steadily, though slowly and shows following characteristics....
▪️Stays on a particular growth curve
▪️Grows in length and head circumference according to weigh 
▪️Wakes on his or her own and is alert and wants to breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. 
▪️ Urine output is normal i.e. passes 8 to 12 times a day.
▪️ Milestone are normal
Remember...  Before labelling normal slow growth patterns, it is advisable to consult your pediatrician.
Dr Ashish Agrawal, Paediatrician and expert in child behavior, education and developmental problems.
Ph: 8888126037, 8483905330, 7057551985
 Join us ......
 ðŸ”¹ Facebook : Positive parenting 
 ðŸ”¹ Youtube : Dr Ashish Agrawal

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