Newborn Health 101: Birth Weight, APGAR Score & Feeding Tips

Hello New Moms,

Big hug to you on meeting your much-awaited happiness. Welcoming your newborn is a one-of-a-kind experience, but it can also seem overwhelming. Especially the part where you want to do everything to take care of your little one.  

Don't worry, we are here for you.

First and foremost, let’s talk about birth weight. A normal birth weight is between 2.5 to 4.0 kg. Anything below 2.5 kg is considered low birth weight.

Another important metric is the APGAR score. It measures your baby's health on five criteria- Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. A score of 7 to 10 is great, 4 to 6 means your baby might need some help, and below 4 needs immediate attention.

Moms, we know your baby’s well being is your no. 1 priority. To make sure your baby’s health is sound, watch out for these things in the initial days.

Keep an eye on temperature, bilirubin levels, and fontanelles. Normal temperature is 36.5 to 37.5°C. Bilirubin is a very important market as it will tell you if the baby has Jaundice. See that it should be below 5 mg/dL on the first day. Fontanelle, or soft spots on their head? Make sure they're flat and soft. Easy peasy!

And remember, feeding is more than just nutrition; it's a bonding time. Newborns feed every 2-3 hours, about 8-12 times a day. But that doesn’t mean you cannot feed on demand by watching for hunger cues like rooting or sucking.

You're doing amazing. Trust me, just keep calm and parent on!

For any questions or doubts, Apollo doctors and our supportive community are always here for you.