Baby Weight Chart 0 to 12 Months: Track Your Baby's Healthy Growth Month By Month

"How is my baby growing?"

"What is the ideal weight for her age?"

"How much weight should a baby put on gradually every month?"

These are the most common questions that pediatricians face from worried parents.

Why do parents worry about their baby's weight gain

New parents on this exciting yet stressful journey of parenthood are anxious to know if their baby is growing well. Hence, doctors advise parents to keep track by referring to a standard child growth chart or an infant weight calculator.

How doctors track a baby’s growth

The most popularly used and scientifically established growth chart is the weight graph by the World Health Organization (WHO). It takes into account that every child all over the world has the same potential to grow. We must always remember that it is the growth pattern, not a single weight value of the baby, that matters.

According to an article, 'The Development of Growth References and Growth Charts,' by TJ Cole, published in 2011, growth references describe how children grow, and the references can be applied to other children to establish whether or not their measurements are typical of the reference group.

But before we get to the chart, let's understand weight gain in babies.

When tracking a baby's growth and development, it's important to use a reliable baby weight chart (in kg) as a reference.

For newborns, the average birth weight is 3.5 kg for boys and 3.4 kg for girls. As the months pass, you can observe the progress. 

At 1 month, boys typically weigh around 4.4 kg, while girls average 4.2 kg. 

This pattern continues, with 2-month-old boys weighing about 5.2 kg and girls weighing 4.8 kg. 

By the third month, boys might weigh around 6 kg, while girls tend to be around 5.4 kg. 

The trend persists at 4 months, a boy's average weight is 6.7 kg, while a girl's average is 6.2 kg.

As they near their first year, at 9 months, boys might weigh around 9.3 kg, and girls around 8.5 kg. At 10 months, boys typically weigh about 9.7 kg, and girls around 8.8 kg.

By 11 months, boys may reach 10 kg, while girls usually weigh around 9.2 kg.

Finally, at the age of 12 months, boys generally weigh around 10.3 kg, and girls tend to be about 9.5 kg.

This comprehensive baby weight chart can be a valuable tool for parents and caregivers to ensure healthy growth and development during the baby's first year of life.

When a new baby is born, one can give about a 10 percent cushion of acceptable weight loss (nature allows for this until the mother's milk comes in). Most babies will lose two to three ounces of weight in the first 24 hours as their soggy skin dries out and they pass their first meconium stool (the dark green substance forming the first feces of a newborn infant).

Baby weight gain by month: What to expect in the first year

At birth, an average full-term Indian boy weighs 3 to 3.2kg and a girl weighs 2.8 to 3.2kg.

In the first three months, weight gain is faster with an average of 800-1000g per month.

Over the next three months, it slows down to 600-800g, and between 6 and 12 months, it is usually no more than 500g.

In simpler terms, a baby must double their birth weight by the time they complete four months and triple it by the time they turn one. This is, of course, provided there are no other health issues involved.

Does breastfeeding affect baby weight gain?

Breastfeeding exclusively till 4-6 months is highly recommended, even if the baby is not as chubby as you expected. When monitoring weight gain, keep in mind that this is not the sole growth criterion. The head size/circumference, length of the baby, and developmental milestones are also to be taken into consideration, along with weight, at every pediatric visit.

If the child does not show adequate improvement in growth parameters, the pediatrician must first try to assess the cause. In the case of exclusive breastfeeding, ensure that your baby is ingesting hind milk. Hind milk refers to the milk at the end of a feed, which has a higher fat content than the milk at the beginning of the feed. And after six months of age, breast milk cannot sustain the good growth of an infant. A proper weaning plan, the introduction of healthy, calorie-dense semi-solids is key.

If, however, your baby is on formula milk,  check that you are following the instructions and proportions appropriately. Excess water to mix the formula can result in low weight gain.

Other factors that influence a baby’s weight

Besides feeding, other factors contribute to a baby's weight. If both parents are heavily built or overweight, there are chances of the infant being born on the heavier side as well.

There is also a greater likelihood of a baby being born with a higher than normal weight, due to factors such as the mother's ethnicity, weight gain during pregnancy, fetal chromosomal abnormalities, or the mother having diabetes before or during pregnancy.

Further, overweight babies may have metabolic abnormalities (low blood sugar and calcium), traumatic birth injuries, higher hemoglobin levels, jaundice, or various congenital abnormalities.

Similarly, certain babies are underweight. And if a baby is born small, it could be due to various reasons:

1. Preterm birth: when babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed.

2. Mother's health condition: Mothers may be suffering from medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease.

3. Malnutrition: A baby may need to have their temperature, glucose, and hemoglobin levels closely monitored to ensure normal weight gain if they are not receiving the right nutrition.

Baby girl and boy weight chart: 0 to 12 months (WHO reference)

Here is the baby weight chart for reference. The following numbers are the 50th percentile weights for male and female babies. The 50th percentile means that 50 percent of babies of the same age weigh more than your baby, and 50 percent of them weigh less.

How to read a Baby Weight chart correctly

All babies grow at their own pace, and what matters at any given point in time is the growth pattern and not the weight value. During your pediatric visits, the healthcare provider will plot your child's growth on a baby growth chart to make sure she's on track. The chart may look daunting, but your doctor can help you understand this useful tool and what the results mean for your baby.

Kindly note that the inputs and tips mentioned in this article must be under the guidance of your doctor. The factors involved in determining proper weight gain might differ from baby to baby. With that being said, relax and enjoy your new parenting journey!

Last updated on: January 21, 2026