To be sure that your child is growing normally, it's very important to schedule regular checkups throughout his or her childhood. An important part of the medical examination involves measuring your baby's weight gain, body length and head circumference and comparing these measurements to growth curves and weight averages. A growth curve is a chart which illustrates the average rate and amount of growth in children within different age groups, and helps the doctor to determine whether your baby is growing normally.

Normal growth pattern
It's normal for newborns to lose weight in the hospital, often up to 10% of their birth weight. This weight is usually regained within two weeks. After that, your baby should gain about 6 to 8 ounces or 180 to 240 g per week for the first 3 months. But small babies may gain more, while larger babies may gain less. Your baby's head will grow very rapidly during his first year, reaching nearly 80% of an adult's head size. His weight will generally double by 4 to 6 months of age, and triple by the end of his first year. And his height should increase by at least 2.5 inches or 6 centimeters by his first birthday.

Reference:
DR.PAUL’s Child Health and Wellness Info Site, www.drpaul.com. Pediatrician Dr.Paul Roumeliotis is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.