FACTORS INFLUENCING BABY GROWTH

Factors influencing baby growth

Parents stature. High parents may have babies larger than average and low parents have babies smaller than average.

Multiple births. If you are pregnant with twins, triplets or more, your babies are likely to be relatively small. In multiple pregnancies, fetuses not only share the space for growth in the uterus, but they are also often born prematurely, leading to their small size at birth.

Birth order. Sometimes first-born babies are smaller than their siblings born later.

Sex. Girls tend to be smaller and children tend to be larger, although these differences are not very marked at the time of birth.

Mother's health during pregnancy. Maternal-related factors that may lead to a lower weight of the newborn include high blood pressure, heart problems, and alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs during pregnancy. If the mother has diabetes, the baby may be even more likely to be born. The mother's doctor must carefully monitor all conditions that may affect the baby's weight. In addition, women should not smoke, drink alcohol, or consume illegal drugs during pregnancy.

Nutrition during pregnancy. Adequate nutrition is essential for the growth of the baby in the uterus and after birth. A poor diet during pregnancy can affect the weight of the newborn and infant growth.

Baby's health. Medical problems, including some birth defects and certain infections acquired during pregnancy, may affect the baby's weight at birth and its subsequent growth