In the first months, healthy term newborns gain roughly 140–200 grams per week, with steady growth against standard WHO/CDC charts.
New babies grow fast, but growth comes in little bursts. You’ll hear numbers like grams per week or ounces per day, and that can feel abstract when you’re holding a sleepy bundle. This guide turns those figures into plain, practical expectations so you can spot steady progress without second-guessing every feed. All ranges below refer to healthy term infants unless stated otherwise.
Newborn Weight Gain Per Week — How Many Grams?
Across the first three months, most term babies gain about 20–30 grams per day. That adds up to roughly 140–200 grams each week. Some weeks land on the low end and the next week jumps high; the trend on a proper growth chart matters more than any single weigh-in. Care teams use the World Health Organization weight-for-age standards; both tools help you see whether your baby’s line keeps a gentle, rising slope.
| Age | Typical Change | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Days 0–5 | Small loss is expected | Many babies drop up to about one-tenth of birth weight, then turn the corner. |
| Days 5–14 | Regain phase | Most return to birth weight by about 10–14 days; some take up to three weeks. |
| Weeks 2–6 | 140–200 g per week | Quick, steady gains; growth spurts may cluster around weeks three and six. |
Numbers are averages, not targets. A baby who gains 120 grams one week and 220 the next can be right on course if diapers, feeding, and energy look good. Clinic checks in the first two weeks, then regular visits, plot each point on the same chart and the same scale.
Why Weekly Grams Vary
Every baby writes a different story. Feeding method, latch quality, milk transfer, and feeding frequency all change the daily total. Smaller newborns may gain in quicker bursts, while larger babies may look steady and slow. Sleep stretches can trim one day’s intake, then the next day brings a cluster-feeding marathon that catches up. Family body type and birth weight set the stage; the chart helps you see whether your baby tracks a personal curve.
Feeding Pattern And Milk Transfer
For breastfed babies, effective latch and frequent, cue-based feeds drive growth. Eight to twelve feeds across 24 hours keeps supply and intake balanced. For formula-fed babies, paced bottle feeds and responsive cues help avoid over- or under-feeding. Spitting up without distress is common and usually does not change weekly gain; persistent vomiting or poor interest in feeds calls for a visit.
Birth Weight, Sex, And Build
Boys average slightly higher weights than girls at the same age, and longer babies often look lean during rapid length growth. What matters is that weight climbs in parallel with length over time. Cross-checking both lines protects against reading too much into one number.
How To Check That Growth Is On Track
You don’t need a home scale to follow progress. Simple signals usually tell the story between clinic visits. Use the list below as a quick self-check; any clear change from your baby’s usual pattern deserves attention.
- Frequent wet diapers: by day five, expect six or more each day with pale urine.
- Regular stools: many breastfed babies pass mustard-yellow stools daily; patterns vary with formula.
- Alert periods: short, bright windows between naps, with good tone and a strong suck.
- Feeds by cues: rooting, hand-to-mouth, stirring; crying is a late cue.
- Comfortable feeding: latch feels deep; you hear swallows; bottles flow at a calm pace.
Red Flags That Need Prompt Care
Call your pediatric clinic without delay if you see any of the signs below. Early input keeps small issues small.
- Fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours after day five.
- Not back to birth weight by the end of the third week.
- Average gain under ~100 grams per week after day ten.
- Hard effort to breathe, weak cry, fever, or marked sleepiness.
- Poor interest in feeds or feeds that end within minutes with little intake.
Breastfed And Formula-Fed Growth Patterns
Across populations, breastfed infants often gain a bit quicker in the first two months, then slow slightly compared with formula-fed peers after three to four months. Both patterns can be healthy when plotted against the same standard. If weight climbs sharply while length lags, or the reverse, your clinician will look for simple causes such as latch issues, mixing directions, or illness.
Weekly Gain Benchmarks By Age (Term Babies)
These figures translate common daily ranges into weekly grams so you can size up changes at a glance. They reflect averages from pediatric references and align with international growth standards used in clinics worldwide.
| Age Range | Weekly Gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 weeks | 140–200 g per week | Rapid growth while feeding patterns settle. |
| 1–3 months | 113–150 g per week | Still fast, with the occasional surge or slow patch. |
| 4–6 months | 57–113 g per week | Growth eases as mobility and play time expand. |
Preterm Or Small-For-Dates Babies
Babies born early or small for their gestational age follow different targets. Care teams often track grams per kilogram per day instead of fixed grams per week and may adjust fortification, volumes, or feeding schedules to meet those goals. If your baby came home from a neonatal unit with a plan, stick with that plan and ask your team before making changes.
Practical Ways To Keep Steady Gain
Simple routines make a big difference. Pick and choose what fits your family right now.
- Feed by early cues and wake for feeds if naps run long in the first weeks.
- Offer both breasts per feed; let the baby finish the first side before switching.
- Skin-to-skin time boosts hormones that drive milk production and baby intake.
- Use paced bottle feeding with slow-flow nipples; pause often to match your baby’s rhythm.
- Keep mixing directions precise for formula; measure scoops and water level exactly.
- Burp mid-feed and at the end; hold upright for a few minutes after feeding.
- Protect nighttime feeds in the early months; long stretches can wait until growth is solid.
- Limit distractions during feeds; dim lights and lower noise to help focus.
When Weight Gain Looks Low But Baby Is Well
Sometimes the chart creeps up more slowly while everything else looks great. Babies who sleep well, feed calmly, wet plenty of diapers, and meet milestones often catch up without special steps. Your pediatric team may schedule a quick re-weigh in a week or two to confirm the pace.
A Note On Scales, Timing, And Expectations
Small measurement quirks can throw off a week’s math. Use the same scale when possible. Weigh without clothes or bulky nappies. If you’re tracking at home, pick one time of day and stick with it. Most of all, look for the gentle uptrend across several points, not a single dot that sits under a neighbor.
Understanding Growth Charts
Clinics plot weight against age on standardized charts. The World Health Organization standards represent how babies grow under healthy conditions across several countries. In the United States, clinics often show those same standards through CDC handouts and electronic records. When your baby tracks a similar percentile over time—say near the 40th or 70th—that signals steady growth even if weekly grams swing a bit. at each scheduled well visit too.
Percentiles, Z-Scores, And What They Mean
A percentile isn’t a grade. Being at the 20th simply means eight out of ten babies the same age weigh more and two weigh less. Z-scores are another way to express the same idea. The piece that matters is shape: a smooth, upward line that neither flattens nor dives.
Sample Week: One Baby’s Numbers
Say a baby weighs 3.6 kg at two weeks. Across the next seven days, daily weights on the same scale read +10 g, +35 g, +15 g, +40 g, +25 g, +0 g, +30 g. The week totals 155 g. The zero day likely followed a long nap or a day of sleepy feeds; the next day rebounds. That swing sits well within the 140–200 g weekly range.
Growth Spurts And Cluster Feeding
Many families notice a quick surge near three weeks and again near six weeks. Babies may feed frequently for a day or two and seem fussy at the breast or bottle, then settle. Those clusters often precede a jump on the scale.
Hydration, Illness, And Catch-Up
Minor colds, hot weather, or tummy bugs can shave a few grams from one week’s tally. Offer feeds a bit more often, keep your baby close, and watch diapers. Most babies rebound the following week once appetite returns.
When Weekly Gain Runs High
A big jump now and then is common, especially after a sleepy spell or during a spurt. If gains stay well above the typical range week after week, review feeding rhythm and volumes. Bottle feeds that flow fast can lead to large, quick intakes; try slower nipples and gentle pauses so your baby can set the pace. If weight rockets while length creeps, your clinician may want to watch a little closer and tweak mixing steps or bottle size. Simple tweaks often steady the curve without drama, keeping gains and comfort in a good balance at home.