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How Much Should A 5 Month Old Infant Weigh?

Posted on Mon, 13 Feb 2017

Question: Hi Dr., My baby girl was born on 5th Aug-16 and her birth weight was 2.6kg. Her weight at 5mnths is 5.5kg. Is she growing normally?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your child is growing properly

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Let me reassure you that the birth weight of a child should double by 5 months of age and so your child's growth is on track and you need not worry.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 days later)

Thanks a lot. Also I have strtd powedered dal rice mixed with jeera turmeric salt and rawa as per my pediatrics instructions 15days back. However, her potty is now hard n sticky. Is it ok? I do give her 40ml water also.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions given.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. It is ok but I would insist you to give thick liquids rather than semisolids right now. You can start with thick liquids like dal water or fruit juices, gradually move over to semi-solids or mashed foods, and subsequently start with pounded food. Consider your ABCs - applesauce, bananas, and cereal (rice, biscuits dipped in milk, or roti softened with milk/water). Boiled rice and dal with vegetables and give in mashed form. Gradually increase the amount and frequency. Introduce one new food item per week and stick to it at least for the week.

I would insist you to go through the following chart about what foods to give at what age:
http://www.superbabyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Baby-Food-Chart-4-to-12-months-baby-SuperBaby.jpg

A detailed diet chart can be found at:
http://indianhealthyrecipes.com/indian-baby-food-chart/

Noting down so much information would have made the answer unnecessarily long. Pardon me for avoiding that.

Hopefully that clears your queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 days later)

Thanks a lot Dr. This is just what Iwanted. Also when can I strt putting my child in walker?She cn stand quite steadily with me holding her.Could you suggesthow mny hrs sleep is required fr a 5mnth old?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Questions answered one by one.

Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you are happy with my response.

The child is supposed to be able to sit independently by 8 months of age and stand independently by 12 months of age. The introduction of walker should come somewhere between the two.

There is no standard hours of sleep for a baby. The baby may sleep 16 hours or more, or could sleep a lot less. Just do not bother. The child will get all the sleep she needs. You need not worry.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 days later)

Ok.Also my daighter has got very bad cough due to a throat infection. What should I do to soothe her cough?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a viral infection.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks again for writing back.

Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections. If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. If not, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated. Give your child steam inhalation. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just sit with your child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Use Nasoclear Saline Nasal Drops in case of nose block.

I need to confirm if the throat has been examined. The child cannot complain of throat pain at this age, so how do you know that there is a throat infection?

Give her some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily for next few days.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (17 hours later)

Yes doctor the cough is due to viral infection. I got her examined with a pediatric as later in the day she developed fever also. I thought she has a throat infection as her cough is vry hoarse and she cnt gulp down liquids easily. While taking feed also she takes frequent breaks before completing her one full feed.Now she looks much better but her constant cough still remains. Also post medication, she has been doing loose motions twice a day. Pls suggest.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wait and watch.

Detailed Answer:
Irrespective of treatment it usually takes 5-7 days for recovery to occur. I would not worry about the loose motions. Give ORS (oral rehydration solution) to replenish the lost water and fluids. Nothing else needs to be done. You need to be patient.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (47 hours later)

Ok Dr. Thankfully, loose motions have stopped. However, wheezing still remains. I give her steam inhalationand also make her inhale ajwai seeds so her wheezing stops. What else can be done?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Levolin syrup can help

Detailed Answer:
Syr. Levolin can be given to control the wheezing. Alternatively, levolin inhaler can be used through Huf Puf Kit (spacer device). Continue steam inhalation.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (57 minutes later)

Thanks Dr. I am already giving her Levolin syrup thrice a day 1.5ml as per my pediatric's recommendations but she suggested to give for 5 days and today being the 5th day shud i still continue for few more days?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please continue

Detailed Answer:
No, if there is wheezing still present I suggest you to continue it. Rather than giving as regular dose, it is more preferable to give this medicine as per requirement. Continue it till the problem resolves.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar