How To Increase Weight Of A Baby?

Posted on Sun, 23 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 Answered on

Sat, 15 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : This question is related with my son, who was born on 29-Jan with 3.09 KG (Cesarian delivery) in 38th week. I do not see any health problem with baby considering his day to day activities. What worry to me is - his body/health is not very good. He has fine face, but rest of his body (mainly tummy) is very thin. Fat is very low in entire body, bones are more visible. Refer attached image of baby. He is on breast feeding most of the time & some time my mother give him cow's milk. Please suggest what should we do to improve his health?I forget to mention, his health was good when he born. But as on today, it has gone down. I have uploaded the pic of baby. Please do let me know if you need more details.

Answered by Dr. Synthyia Bhagat (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: relax. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for writing to us. First I congratulate you on arrival of new family member. Relax,there is nothing to worry. Initially during first 10days baby looses some weight.and after that weight gain is there. I suggest you to: -give EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING till 6months of age. -cows milk is to be given after 1 year of age. -do coconut massage. -monitor his acrivity and urine output. -get him examined regularly by pediatrician. Weighy gain can be monitored by plotting weight on weight chart,which your doctor will do regularly. -vit D supplementation needs to be started after consulting your doctor. In case you observe that he is lethargic or there is decrease intake of feed and decrease urine output get him evaluated. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can help further. Wishing your baby good health. God bless...

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar