How often should I get my baby weighed and measured?

Getting your baby weighed and measured is a useful way of checking that he's growing as expected. It can give you peace of mind and also help to identify whether there are any problems affecting his development.

Your baby will be weighed at birth and again between one and two weeks old.

You don’t need to weigh your baby at home, and don’t take him to be weighed more often than your doctor advises. It could cause you unnecessary worry. One week your baby may have fed just before he was weighed, the following week he may have fed several hours previously. His resulting weight may make it seem as if he hasn’t gained much at all, even if he has.

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends having your baby weighed at his well-baby visits at two, four, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months and then once per year for children over two years and for adolescents.

If you’re at all concerned about your baby’s growth then contact your doctor for advice.

Reviewed for Canada by Kellie Scott, MD