5 Months Baby Weight

All children grow at a different rate; some might develop very fast and quickly while others may grow at a much slower pace. Usually this has nothing to do with the health status of the child. It is usual for children to lose some amount of their original weight after few days of their birth. This weight change would range from about 5 – 10 percent of their weight. Also as the baby grows the weight might differ, for example in first few months a baby who is breast-feeding would often be heavier than the baby fed with a bottle and later in as the child grows when he/she is around a year old a bottle fed baby is often heavier than the one who is breast-fed. Six months after birth the baby's build is often dependent on the inherited characteristics of their parents.

Usually after 24 months the growth rate of the baby is steady but before that they may experience a rapid growth rate. In infancy and early childhood there is little difference between the growth rate of boys and girls. In the beginning, within a five month period the baby would increase in height by around 30%; however this would go on to 50% at the end of 12 months. Infants weight is almost double by 5 months and expected to increase three times by the time the infant is a year old and approximately 4 times by 24 months. Check with your specialist to see if your child's height and weight is between 3rd and 97th percentile of his/her age. The weight and height chart or graphs display the average height and average weight of the child. If you feel that 5 months old infant is way outside or much inside the range of his/her scale then feel free to discuss the reasons for the same with your specialist.

5 Months Baby Diet

This is the time for your toddler to switch from a bottle to a cup, gradually over a one or two week period. He/she should also learn to start feeding on his/her own; using fingers or spoon. This will be messy at first but gradually as the motor skills improve it will get better. Make sure to keep the food pieces as small as possible to avoid choking. For healthy development meals and snacks should include all the food groups as the requirement at this age is high because your child grows rapidly during the first few years of life. You may feel that there is some decrease in his/her appetite; this may affect the weight of the child. Let the child explore new things and explore his/her curiosity; as this is the age when they are very curious and this will help in their healthy development as long as you are there to protect them.

The 5 months baby diet comprises mainly of breast or formula milk. A baby of 5 months of age requires about 12 – 36 ounces of milk each day, either breast milk or formula milk. Mothers who breastfeed their babies may find it difficult to monitor the daily milk consumption. Adhering to a feeding schedule helps in this regard as it allows you to be sure that your baby is meeting her daily food requirements. Feeding schedules may be adjusted depending upon each baby’s individual cues and needs. A typical 5 months baby food schedule begins with feeding the child 4 – 6 ounces of milk in the morning when she wakes up. At this age, babies usually nurse for 5 – 10 minutes on each breast. Then you can feed her during the rest of the day when she seems hungry. Babies tend to display hunger by sucking on their hands, crying, fussing or sticking out their tongues. Feedings can continue until a minimum of 12 – 36 ounces of milk have been consumed. Babies of this age tend to feed every 4 – 6 hours. You can also feed iron fortified cereal a couple of times a day. Dry cereal may also be combined with breast milk. However you need to check with your doctor before you start your baby on cereal. Around the age of 5 months, most doctors start advising parents on how to introduce solid foods into the baby’s diet. At 5 months baby food should still consist of primarily breast milk or formula milk, but this is the right time to think about introducing small changes in the diet. There are certain signs which indicate that a baby is ready to start on solid foods. For example, the ability to hold the head up properly, development of the tongue-thrust reflex which helps to prevent choking, coordination of the lower lip and maturation of the digestive system. 5 months baby solid food may include fruits such as banana, pear, apple and vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes. Foods such as banana or avocado do not have to be cooked as they are soft enough to eat raw. But other foods such as apple and carrots must be cooked until soft at least till your baby is 6 months of age. It is advisable to feed peeled fruits and vegetables until your baby’s digestive system is more mature.

Submitted on January 16, 2014