OUR BABIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1928, Page 9

OUR BABIES

WEIGHING THE BABY.

By

Hygeia.

To-day I want to speak to you about weighing the baby. There are many mportant points about a baby s weight which mothers should know .red understand. First of all let me explain this weight chart, which shows the weight .ird progress of the average normal baby from birth to one year old. We ki ow from weighing, many hundreds of babies that this black line represents the gain of the average baby. You see, the average normal baby : s about 7Jlb at birth. There is usually iiii initial loss during the first few days, and at the end of about a fortnight baby should have regained his birth weight. The curve of the normal line shows that the average baby gains Goz to Boz per week in the first quarter, 4oz to Goz per week, in the second quarter, and 3oz to 4oz per week in the third quarter. He trebles hi:; birth weight at about one year.

The weight of a child is the best all-round means of estimating the state of nutrition. It is a common idea that after babies reach the age of one year they do not need the same attention in regard to feeding and weighing, etc. But this is a great mistake. The little child needs supervision right on until school age, and it is more important that he should be Weighed and measured regularly every few months throughout the first few years. This the Plunket nurse can do.

Babies who are very small at birth may be quite normal and as a matter of fact the baby who is underweight at birth, if properly fed, will often reach the normal line by the end of the first year or even earlier. On the other hand the baby who is very big and heavy at birth may not gain so rapidly as the average baby. Now, every mother likes to feel confident that her baby is doing well, and the way in which she can be sure of it is this: Firstly, make certain you are feeding him properly; secondly, by regular weighing satisfy yourself that he is making proper use of that food. On the other hand, I would here add a word of warning. You must not be worried if baby’s gain is not quite up to the standard this week —next week he will probably make that up. Do not consider the weight for one week only, but pin your faith more on the fortnightly gain. Of course, a steady gain in weight week by "week is ideal, but don’t worry about slight, irregularities, such as might be expected during teething, weaning, a cold or temporary upset, changing of food, etc. After 12 months of age, baby takes more exercise, and tends to put on weight less Baby should be weighed regularly once a week, or once a fortnight, always at the same time of day if possible, and not just after a meal. It is best to weigh him just in his little shirt. If clothes must be worn, .they should be about the same number and thickness each time.

Ordinary grocer’s scales with scoop and -weights may be used at homq, or a good spring balance with a hook. Clock-faced scales are not reliable, because every movement of the baby alters the reading.

If you bring baby to the Plunket Rooms he will be weighed on very accurate scales. If you cannot get to the Plunket nurse or she to you, and you have no scales, it is usually possible to take baby to a store or chemist at regular intervals. Monthly weighing is much better than irregular or no weighing. At home it is best to weigh baby when he has been undressed for his bath. If using a spring balance scales keep a special napkin with loops of tapes at the corners. If usinggrocer’s scales have them well balanced, with a napkin in the scoop or basket before putting baby in. See that he is as comfortable as possible, and engage his attention in order to keep him as quiet as you can.

PROPERLY REGULATED BABY. Now let me emphasise the advantages of weighing baby regularly: — Firstly: The mother is reassured by the baby’s steady progress. A contented mother means a contented baby and both are responsible for a happy home.

Secondly: Serious illnesses often come on gradually, and their presence is not apparent until the condition is well established; but the trouble is sure to be recorded on baby’s chart. Careful inquiry into the cause . of stationary weight or loss , of weight may save baby from a serious illness and is a positive guide as to correct feeding. Thirdly: A record of weight from birth onwards, such as is kept for every Plunket baby under the care of a Plunket nurse, is most useful if at any time illness assails baby. His previous progress is clearly outlined for the doctor to see at one glance. However, there are some disadvantages about weighing baby every week and they should be taken into consideration: —

Firstly: Gain in weight is not everything. Babies fed on an ill-balanced diet (i.e., one in which there is not the proper proportion of sugar, fat, and protein) may show an unhealthily rapid gain in weight. Patent foods generally have tdo much starch or sugar in their composition. This defect tends to produce fat, heavy babies, who may take prizes at “baby shows” when exhibited in competition with perfectly normal, sound, firm, healthy babies; but sugar or starch will not build bonte and muscle. Growth founded on a wrong basis is not maintained indefinitely. The tendency is for the weight of the baby fed on patent foods to fall off later, when also imperfect development of bones, muscles, teeth, and digestive organs makes itself apparent. The over-fat, wrongly fed baby has no resistance. At anytime during his babyhood the over-fat, baby will prove his unfitness should he fall a victim to disease.

Secondly: Failure to gain in weight is not necessarily a serious condition. When considering baby’s weight chart if, is necessary to take into consideration all the special conditions pertaining to the special baby. For instance. weight may be gained very rapidly during the first few months of life, and during later months there will be a corresponding slackening off in the rate of growth. This is not necessarily abnormal. But should your baby’s gain in weight bo either above or below the average normal standard I would advise you to consult the Plunket nurse at once.