Your local library and toddler groups are great places to take your child. But did you know that a lot of libraries and toddler groups in Norfolk have self weigh facilities to weigh your baby?
Every library (yellow), ECFS base (green) and toddler group (blue) on the map have free baby weighing facilities to use.
During your visit - if you can't see where to weigh your child, please ask a member of staff and they will be able to help. At the bottom of the page is a self-weigh guide video, which has step by step instructions on how to use the scales.
When your library is staffed anyone is welcome to come in and weigh their baby. Nearly every library has Open Library which allows you to scan your library card and enter even when the building is unstaffed. Open library is 8am-8pm Monday - Friday and 8am-4pm on weekends.
Weighing Your Baby Using A Blanket
If have a soft lightweight blanket this would be good to use to wrap your baby in once undressed at the self weigh station. Holding them close helps them feel calm and protected. Babies feel more secure, comfortable and warm when wrapped.
Step by step guide:
Don’t worry, if you haven’t got a blanket; you can undress baby down to a clean dry nappy instead and weigh this in the same way you would a blanket.
Every library will have a poster on display to guide you through weighing your baby. You can also watch the video guide below.
Weighing Your Baby Naked
Step by step guide:
Every library will have a poster on display to guide you through weighing your baby. You can also watch the video guide below.
If you do not wish to weigh your baby naked you can weigh them in a dry nappy or wrapped in a blanket. Babies feel more secure, comfortable and warm when wrapped in a blanket to be weighed. To find out how to do this accurately take a look at 'How to weigh your baby using a blanket'.
How Often To Weigh Your Baby
It is normal for a baby to lose some weight in the first few days after birth. Your baby should be weighed in the first week as part of their assessment of feeding – this is often completed as part of your midwife contact.
Most babies get back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. This is a sign that feeding is going well and that your baby is healthy.
If you baby's weight has increased or dropped crossing 2 centile lines (the blue or pink curved lines on the weight chart), please contact Just One Number and they can review your this with you.
Weighing your baby too often may cause unnecessary concern; the list below shows how often, as a maximum, babies should be weighed to monitor their growth. However, most children will not need to be weighed as often as this.
Knowing They Are Growing
After your baby has returned to their birth weight and is feeding well, they do not need to be weighed as often. This is usually by the time they are 2 weeks old, but your health visitor will advise you.
Unless there is a medical reason and you have been advised to have more regular growth checks it is not always a good idea. It can cause unnecessary worry as weighing a lot can make it seem like your baby’s weight is going up and down. Weighing less often means you see a clearer longer term picture.
Weighing less often doesn’t mean you can’t be confident that your baby is thriving. There are other ways to know that your baby is getting the nutrition they need. You can be reassured when:
If you do feel worried that your baby is not gaining enough weight or might be gaining too much weight, you can call Just One Number to talk it through with a health professional.
The Healthy Child Programme is a service which focuses on the health and development of your child. We will get in touch to review your child’s development at the following key stages:
You can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
A member of our 0-19 team is able to complete an assessment of your child and refer to other services as needed, including: community paediatrician, speech and language therapy, hearing assessment, and vision assessment.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.