How to Help a 3 Week Old Gain Weight

One way to measure the health of a newborn baby is to monitor her weight gain. If a baby is three weeks old and not gaining weight, there may be a variety of issues that need to be addressed to ensure normal weight gain. Babies who are underweight may have more health problems and a weaker immune system due to nutritional deficiencies. There are many reasons that a 3-week-old may be underweight, however, it is possible to get your baby back on track to normal weight gain.

Instructions

1

Try a different formula if the baby is bottle fed. If your baby is drinking too fast, try reducing the size of the hole in the nipple. This will help your three week old baby avoid gas that can lead to colic and allow them to drink at a comfortable pace. In addition, if your baby shows distaste for the current formula, they may not be drinking enough to induce weight gain. Babies up to a month old should be drinking up to 2 ounces of formula or breast milk every few hours to maintain a healthy weight. Wake your baby every few hours as necessary to encourage weight gain.

2

Help your three week old breast feed more successfully to gain weight. Oregon.gov recommends breastfeeding up to twelve times daily when the baby shows signs of hunger to ensure he gets enough to eat in order to gain weight. You should hold the baby close and make sure they are in a comfortable position to increase their likelihood of feeding longer as well. Offer both breasts, and allow your baby to feed until full to encourage weight gain. Pumping your breasts after breastfeeding is recommended to boost breast milk flow for the next feeding.

3

Determine if your baby has colic. Colicky babies may cry or scream every time they eat due to gas in the intestinal tract that causes extreme discomfort. This may make them avoid eating altogether which can lead to significant weight loss. According to Medline Plus you should watch your diet if you are breastfeeding to avoid a colicky baby. Stay away from dairy, eggs, nuts and other commonly allergic foods. Foods that produce gas, such as cabbage and beans, should be avoided as well.

4

Consult with your doctor if your baby does not gain weight or was born preterm. Babies born preterm have different nutritional needs and often require supplements that contain high calorie, protein, iron and calcium levels. Babies who are not gaining weight normally at three weeks of age may require supplementation as well. After birth, babies of a normal weight will return to their birth weight, but at three weeks, they should be gaining at a steady rate of a few ounces per week.

5

Do not give a three week old baby cereal or other foods to help them gain weight. Babies that young do not have the throat muscles required to swallow these foods and may choke. Babies will gain weight at a regular pace is they are healthy and fed breast milk or formula as stated above. Genetics will ultimately determine the weight gain or loss of a healthy baby.