Worrying about your baby's weight

I've been getting a lot of questions about babies whose weight is below the 10th percentile.  This is one of those experiences that can drive parents crazy with worry. In general there are lots of factors to consider. Before panicking, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Was my baby born prematurely?
2.  Is my height and the baby's father's height below average?
3.  Is my pediatrician concerned?
4.  Does my baby have any other health issues?
5.  Has my baby been growing steadily since birth or has there been a drop off in the growth curve?

If you answered yes to questions 1 and 2, you may not have anything to worry about.  If you answered yes to questions 3-5, then absolutely the first place to start is with your pediatrician. Ask for advice, and the plan for how often they will check the baby's growth. Then ask what types of tests can be done to find out if there is something preventing your baby from growing to their full potential.

Many times, there is nothing seriously wrong, but it's always best to get things checked so that you don't worry and know how to best care for your baby.