Weight and Growth Problems

Know How Your Preemie Will Grow
Premature babies may grow at a slower rate than full-term babies, but usually catch up in height and weight by 2 years of age. But premature babies are more likely to have trouble with speech, motor skills, hearing or vision.
Large for Gestational Age (LGA)
The average baby weighs about 7 pounds at birth. About 10 percent of all babies weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Rarely do babies weigh over 10 pounds.
Low Birthweight
If your baby’s birthweight was lower than normal due to premature birth or some other factor, don’t worry. With proper medical attention and your loving care, your baby will soon catch up with the other children in the nursery.
Postmaturity
The most common symptoms of postmaturity in a baby are dry, peeling skin; overgrown nails; and abundant scalp hair.
Prematurity
Other terms often used for prematurity are preterm and "preemie." Many premature babies also weigh less than 5.5 pounds and may be referred to as low birthweight.
Small for Gestational Age
Although some babies are small because of genetics (their parents are small), most SGA babies are small because of fetal growth problems that occur during pregnancy.
Very Low Birthweight
Very low birthweight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Only a few babies are born this tiny.