Most people tend to think that all newborns look and act alike while indeed, every newborn is different with physical and personality trends that make him or her unique. While a first time mother may have problem differentiating between a baby within the normal vital statistics and one that may need further evaluation and attention, mothers who have previously given birth may be able to  pick such abnormalities with ease. Though in most cases, it requires the help of a medical professional.

 

Newborn measurement of vital statistics include; measurements of weight, length (height), head and chest circumference.

 

Newborn Normal Weight

The weight of a newborn may be influenced by several factors. Such as nutritional status of mother during pregnancy, genetics, race, intrauterine defects and the overall health status of the mother during pregnancy. However, weight is usually calculated by use of a standard neonatal graph, with the exceptional of children who are born pre-maturely or those born with other defects. For example, if a baby head circumference is in the 90th percentile and the height is only in the 50th percentile, this may be an indication of an abnormal head growth and further evaluation is required.

 

The normal weight of a newborn should be within the ranges of  2.5 kgs (5.5 pounds) to 4.7 kgs (10 pounds). However, there are several babies who have been born weighing more than 4.7 kgs (macrosomia) but most likely this is due to maternal diabetes.  Newborns usually lose 5% to 10% of their weight during the first few days after birth and start regaining it back within 7 -10 days.

 

Newborn Height

On average, girls height is around 53 cm (20.9 inches) and boys height is usually around 54 cm (21.3 inches) but babies with lower height of up to 46 cm (18 inches) and as high as 57.5 cm (24 inches) have been born.

 

Newborn Head Circumference

In full term babies, head circumference is within the ranges of 34 to 35 cm. Any child born with a head circumference of less than 33 cm or bigger than 37 cm need to be evaluated to make sure there is no neurological problem involved.

 

Newborn Chest Circumference

Newborn chest circumference should be atleast 2 cm less than the head circumference, measured at the level of the nipples.  If the newborn head is 34 cm, then the chest circumference should be 34-2 which equals to 32 cm.