Empowering mothers worldwide through connection, support, and shared experiences ✨

Baby Health

My baby is gaining weight slowly (or lost weight after starting solids) — should I worry, and can I weigh them at home?

The community treats early slow weight gain as common and normal as long as feeds and wet-diaper counts are good, advises against frequent home weighing, and recommends tracking against the growth chart with the pediatrician — including pumped-milk top-ups if a doctor guides it.

💡Quick Answer

  • Early slow gain is normal if feeds and wet-diaper counts are good
  • Newborns often lose weight first, then cross birth weight within ~3 months
  • Don't weigh daily at home — do it every couple of weeks at most
  • Ensure full feeds (~20 min per side) for hindmilk; pumped top-ups if a doctor advises
  • Track against the growth chart with your pediatrician; charts don't fit every baby

⚠️ Caution:Assess weight changes against your baby's own growth chart and percentile with the pediatrician rather than against generic standards or frequent home weigh-ins. Get weight checked every couple of weeks (e.g. at vaccination visits), and follow your doctor's guidance on pumped-milk top-ups; significant or sustained weight loss after solids should be evaluated by the pediatrician.

🤔What Parents Worry About

Slow weight gain — or actual weight loss after starting solids — taps into a parent's deepest fear that their baby isn't thriving or getting enough to eat, and obsessive home weighing only feeds the anxiety. The community reassures that early slow gain and initial newborn weight loss are normal and that the real indicators of a well-fed baby are good feeds and plenty of wet diapers, not the scale. They offer concrete steps (full feeds for hindmilk, pumped top-ups on a doctor's advice, periodic professional weigh-ins) and the steadying reminder that every child follows their own growth curve, to be tracked calmly with the pediatrician.

Community Answers from Moms(5)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

  1. 1

    It's normal for newborns to lose weight in the first ~1.5 months and then start gaining; weight usually crosses birth weight within the first 3 months as long as feeds and pee counts are fine. Standard weight charts don't fit every baby — it depends on birth weight.

  2. 2

    Avoid home weighing as a daily habit ('a Pandora's box') — babies gain only ~20-40g a day, which won't register reliably, and it just causes anxiety. Weigh at most every couple of weeks; get it checked free at vaccination visits, a pediatrician's clinic, or a government hospital.

  3. 3

    To maximize intake, ensure the baby feeds at least ~20 minutes on one side (wake them if they doze) so they get hindmilk, not just foremilk; if gain is slow, a doctor may guide you to give 20-30ml of pumped breast milk after each feed until weight improves (many doctors here prefer this over formula).

  4. 4

    Weight loss after starting solids should be assessed on the growth chart against the percentile since birth — it varies child to child, so consult the pediatrician.

  5. 5

    Above-average weight isn't necessarily a concern — if the gain isn't sudden, it's generally not a problem.

About These Answers

The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.

Last reviewed: June 17, 2026

Have a question?

Join our community to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with fellow mothers.

Join a Community
My baby is gaining weight slowly (or lost weight after starting solids) — should I worry, and can I weigh them at home? | Real Mom Answers | Mom Insider