Your baby and healthy weight

NHS: Baby weight and height (opens new window) is regularly monitored throughout their contacts with the Health Visitor, as well as receiving advice on providing a healthy lifestyle for the baby and family, and reducing the risks of obesity. It is normal for a baby to lose some weight in the first few days after birth, but most will get back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Weighing your baby too often may cause unnecessary concern; below shows when babies should be weighed to monitor their growth. However, your Health Visitor may ask you to bring your baby to be weighed more often if they feel there is a need.

There isn't an exact weight or height (or length) a baby should be. Your child's weight and height (or length) will be plotted on the in their 'RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health): Growth charts (opens new window)', which is completed by the Health Visitor. The red books has more information about measuring babies and answers to some frequently asked questions by parents and carers can be found on Growth Chart Information (opens new window).

It is recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of a baby's life before introducing solid foods. Benefits of Breastfeeding (opens new window) and Pregnancy, breastfeeding and early parenthood.

NHS: Your baby's first solid foods (opens new window) introduced after 6 months to a baby's diet and supplement with breastfeeding. There is plenty of advice available to mothers to NHS Better Health Start for life: What is weaning? (opens new window) and British Dietetic Association (BDA): Weaning Your Child (opens new window).

Find out about First Steps Nutrition (opens new window) and NHS: Help your baby enjoy new foods (opens new window).

It is important to keep up-to-date with your child's NHS Start4Life: Your baby's vaccination and immunisation schedule (opens new window).

Speak to your midwife or health visitor for more information about accessing Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window).

Better health start for life: Baby moves (opens new window) and Better health start for life: Baby moves (opens new window).

Guidelines on NHS: Sleep and young children (opens new window) and The Sleep Charity: Children - Relaxation Tips (opens new window).

Evidence shows mothers that smoke are more likely to have overweight children; get support to quit smoking with Smokefree Wiltshire.

Being a good role model for your child will encourage them to follow your behaviour. Sign your family up to Start4life Mums (opens new window) to hear about new tips, recipes, competitions and offers to keep your family healthy together.

Evidence shows the link between parental obesity and childhood obesity. Support is available in Wiltshire for Healthy weight in adults.

Family Hubs offer a range of courses for parents to attend to learn more about a healthy lifestyle for the whole family, cooking and parenting courses.

The Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window) card is for pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of 4 years old, who are in receipt of financial benefits or pregnant and under 18 years old, see Finance and housing web page for more information. The Healthy Start pre-paid card is used to spend on healthy foods and to receive vitamins to give your child the best start in life. Speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor for more information.

For support on breastfeeding there are Pregnancy, breastfeeding and early parenthood breastfeeding peer support groups across Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council, including libraries and leisure centres, are showing their support for mothers to breastfeed comfortably when out and about by welcoming breastfeeding in their venues.

Remember: you have the right to breastfeed anywhere.

Encourage your family to walk or cycle when you could avoid using your car. Get support on planning a safe route to walk with Connecting Wiltshire (connectingwiltshire.co.uk) (opens new window).

Sign up to Start4life: NHS - information service for parents (opens new window) for advice and support for you and your baby, including information on Benefits of Breastfeeding (opens new window), NHS Better Health Start for life: What is weaning? (opens new window) and Better health start for life: Baby moves (opens new window).

For individual support or any concerns you have about your child's weight and nutrition, speak to your HCRG Care Group: Health Visiting (0 – 4 Years) (opens new window) who can offer support and advice and signpost to local services where necessary.

Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub can support parents to work towards a healthy weight and eat healthily which often has a positive impact on the children and family.