How much weight should a baby gain per week - See the norm here

It's completely natural to monitor your baby's weight, especially in the first few weeks when everything is new. Baby weight gain varies, and the most important factor is often the direction of the curve over time – not a single number from a single week. Here you'll find practical advice on what to expect, how to track at home, and when it makes sense to seek help.

In many countries, healthcare providers use growth charts to assess whether a baby is growing as expected. As a general rule of thumb (with significant individual variation), the following is often observed:

• Approx. 150 to 200 grams per week in the first 3 months
• Approx. 100 to 150 grams per week from 3 to 6 months

Some weeks a baby gains more, others less. It's common for weight gain to occur in "growth spurts," especially around periods of increased appetite or altered sleep patterns. If your baby otherwise seems content and shows good signs of well-being, small fluctuations can be perfectly normal.

"Normal" rarely refers to a precise number. Health visitors and doctors typically look at whether the baby is following their own curve and if there are signs of good nutrition and general well-being in everyday life.

It's common for newborns to lose weight in the first few days after birth. The body is adjusting, and the baby is excreting fluids, among other things. Many babies are back to their birth weight within the first 10 to 14 days, but there can be variations.

If your baby is not on track to regain their birth weight, or if their weight has stalled across several weigh-ins, it's a good idea to contact your health visitor or GP for an assessment and a plan.

Weight is important, but you can also trust your gut feeling by looking for concrete signs:

• Baby has regular wet nappies (the number depends on age, but there should be clear daily urination)
• Baby is awake and responsive at times, not just sluggish
• Baby swallows during breastfeeding or actively drinks from a bottle
• Stools and digestion are relatively stable (patterns vary with age and nutrition)

If you are breastfeeding, it can also help to observe latch technique and whether the baby seems satisfied after feeds. If you are unsure, a lactation consultant or health visitor can often observe a feed and offer very specific adjustments.

If weight gain is a concern, proceed gradually and calmly:

1. Weigh on the same scale, at the same time, and with the same amount of clothing to avoid "measurement noise."
2. Note feeding patterns: how often, for how long, and if the baby quickly falls asleep during feeds.
3. Have latch and positioning checked during breastfeeding, or bottle-feeding technique if you are bottle-feeding.
4. Schedule follow-up weigh-ins with the health visitor so you can observe the development over several days or weeks.

Contact your health visitor, doctor, or out-of-hours doctor if your baby seems lethargic, has very few wet nappies, is difficult to wake for feeds, or if you have a strong feeling that something isn't right. It's always okay to react early.

Frequent weighing can create unnecessary pressure. For many families, it brings more peace of mind to schedule regular weigh-ins with healthcare services, especially if everything else seems fine. If there is concern, more frequent weigh-ins can be meaningful, but ideally with a plan for what you are looking for and when adjustments will be made.

A good focus is: trend over time, overall signs of well-being, and your experience of mealtimes.

When you are breastfeeding frequently, comfort can make a real difference in how easy it is to get your baby to the breast again and again. Many prefer a wire-free solution because metal underwires can press and, in the worst case, affect milk ducts. A supportive alternative is a nursing bra with gel support, designed to provide support without metal and without blocking milk ducts, for example, the Gel-Support Maternity & Nursing Bra.