A child’s growth and development depend on the child’s nutrition, environment, and genetics (the size of the parents). It is expected that a baby should double his/her birth weight by age of 6 months, and weigh triple the birth weight by age of 1 year. Your child should have a road-to-health card in which a regular record of the baby’s height and weight is kept.

What may cause poor weight gain

1. Ongoing illness e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, fever, respiratory infection
2. Poor nutrition; inadequate food, intake of wrong set of food, poorly prepared meal, or formula
3. Poor food absorption
4. Parental neglect, family strife or orphaned children
5. Use of alcohol or controlled substances e.g., cocaine by the mother while pregnant
6. Small stature of parents
7. Birth defects e.g. baby with cleft lip/palate (abnormally formed mouth)

What you may notice

1. Poor increase or actual reduction in the size of the child
2. Reduction in weight
3. The child’s head hair may be brown and fluffy.
4. The child’s skin may be loose, dry or with rashes
5. The child’s bones show prominently
6. The child may have recurrent illnesses like diarrhea, chest infections.

What you can do

1. Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
2. Prepare the child’s meal and feed in clean containers
3. Ensure the child’s diet is balanced; contain protein, fats, minerals, and carbohydrate
4. Monitor your baby’s weight and height
5. Ensure your child is properly immunized
6. Take your child to a doctor if there is any illness, and if child does not gain weight despite adequate meal intake.