What is low birth weight?
According to the World Health Organization, premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of gestation, while low birth weight (LBW) babies can be born at any gestational age and weigh less than 2.5 kg.
There are many different reasons why babies are born with low birth weight, the biggest reason being premature birth, but conditions such as high blood pressure in the mother, placental problems, as well as other chronic health care issues can also cause a baby to be born with low birth weight.
If your baby's weight is lower than recommended, he or she is at higher risk of infections and other related illnesses. He or she may also have slow weight gain, difficulty feeding, and developmental problems as he or she grows.
Tips for caring for low birth weight babies
Exclusive breastfeeding: This is the gold standard for feeding newborns, including LBW babies. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies that can help babies gain healthy weight. Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients needed for a baby’s growth and development, so mothers should strive to breastfeed their babies during the first years of their child’s life.
Get advice from a nutritionist: While nursing an LBW baby, due to low birth weight, the baby may have difficulty feeding. In such cases, the mother should seek advice from an obstetrician or a lactation consultant.
Skin-to-skin contact: Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, has been shown to improve weight gain and overall health in babies. Skin-to-skin contact promotes exclusive breastfeeding, mother-child bonding, improves both physical and mental health in babies, and aids in weight gain.
Set a goal to gain weight gradually: For low birth weight babies, gaining weight is the top concern of parents, however parents should not do everything to make their babies gain weight but should set a goal gradually. Consult a nutritionist so that your baby's weight gain is scientific and effective.
