FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a dangerously low birth weight?

The association between low birth weight and later disease is graded. Seven pound babies have better health through their lives than 6 pound babies. Nine pound babies have better health than 8 pound babies.

What about fat babies?

Babies that are heavy because they are fat are at increased risk of diabetes in later life. Babies that are heavy because they are long and muscular have good health.

I was born at term weighing 5 pounds. Am I doomed?

No, but you may be vulnerable to developing chronic disease. It is important that you to eat a good diet, avoid becoming overweight and lead a healthy lifestyle.

I was a twin and weighed only 4 pounds at birth.
Is this a problem?

Being small at birth having shared the womb with another person may be less harmful than being a small single born baby. Nevertheless, it is prudent to assume that you are more vulnerable and should eat a good diet, avoid becoming overweight and lead a healthy lifestyle.

What diet should I eat before I conceive?

The basis of a good diet has been known for nearly a century. Unfortunately simple diet messages have become obscured by confusing health messages and the marketing practices of the food industry. Many American women eat diets that are unbalanced and lack variety. This will impair their baby’s health in later life.

Should I change my diet when I become pregnant?

No, if you are already eating a varied and balanced diet.

I felt sick in early pregnancy and did not eat much.
Has this damaged my baby’s health?

Probably not. Low food intake in early pregnancy may stimulate growth of the placenta.

Is it good or bad to exercise in pregnancy?

Moderate exercise stimulates blood flow and growth of the placenta. However, excessive exercise, like long distance running, may be harmful

Is breast feeding important?

There is no doubt that breast feeding provides ideal nourishment and some protection for the human baby. Happily, a mother who chooses to bottle feed her baby can purchase infant formulas with considerable confidence.

I felt stress during my pregnancy.
Has this harmed my baby?

We know in animals that stress hormones can affect the growth of the baby but little is know about this in human pregnancies.

My mother had low birthweight and so did I.
Does that mean that our low birthweight was genetic?

Not necessarily. Mothers who had low birthweight are less well able to nourish their own babies, possible because the womb is less well developed.