On Wednesday, 7 November, Paul went in for his four-week checkup. He was also one month old!
Here are the stats:
Weight: 3525 g (10th percentile)
Height: 53.5 cm (25th percentile)
Head circumference: 36 cm (10th percentile)
He also successfully did the other things one-month-old babies should do, such as
- He holds his head up momentarily when pulled upright.
- He momentarily lift his chin off the table when on his belly.
- When on his back, he regards dangling objects brought into his line of vision “but not otherwise when in midline.” He follows them “at less than 90 degrees.”
- He is quiet when a bell is rung.
- He is interested in faces.
- He is social—he regards the examiner and reduces his activity.
Overall, he is well. Because he is measuring small for his age, we’ll be back in on November 20 for another weighing. Then, I’ll go in at the beginning of December for his two-month checkup. I’ll also take him to his first round of immunizations in early December. Poor guy! I don’t think he’ll like his shots.
If he is a pound above his birth weight, then he is currently gaining an ounce a day, which is great progress, not any cause for concern. You have to figure he lost half a pound the first week, then gained it back the second week and has gained a full pound during the last two weeks. (I know pounds and ounces aren’t as exact as grams, but with a baby that eats, spits, and pees about four times an hour, how precise do you need to be?) I predict he will be another pound (500g) heavier for the November 20th weigh-in. I can see the difference in the fat rolls around his wrists.