Birth weight is the first weight of your baby, taken just after being born. A low birth weight means that the baby is less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. A high birth weight means that the baby is more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
A baby with a low birth weight can be born too small, too early (premature), or both. This can happen for many different reasons. They include:
Babies with low birth weight may be more at risk of certain health problems. They include immediate problems, such as:
There is also a higher risk of longer-term problems, including:
Causes of high birth weight can include:
High birth weight can be a concern because it can make delivery of the baby difficult and raise the risk of birth injuries. The baby is at higher risk of problems with:
You may be able to prevent some birth weight problems by: