How to Increase Baby Weight During the Eighth Month of Pregnancy?

You’ve survived all of the anxieties and discomfort of the first seven months of pregnancy, so your mind should be more at ease now that you’ve reached the home stretch. Sadly, that’s not quite how life works out, and certainly not pregnancy. As you’ve realised, there’s a lot more physical discomfort during the third trimester, and you’re also faced with a tumult of emotions from the excitement of meeting your baby to intense fear about possible delivery complications. Of course, one of the biggest concerns is how to safely increase the baby's weight during the eighth month of pregnancy. Perhaps, this is where the enduring maternal instinct to encourage even grown children to “eat more food” comes from. During pregnancy, this is certainly a valid concern as low foetal weight and low birth weight can increase the risk of health problems.

Understanding baby weight gain during pregnancy

Your baby keeps gaining weight throughout pregnancy, but the weight gain isn’t always steady. It occurs in growth spurts at different points during pregnancy. Much of this weight gain and foetal development is dependent on maternal weight gain, underscoring the importance of adequate nutrition for women from the first trimester itself. As pregnancy progresses, much of your increased weight is connected to baby weight gain, accounting for over a third of your weight increase, while amniotic fluid, increased breast tissue, fat stores, blood volume, the placenta, and uterine growth account for additional weight.

When does baby weight increase during pregnancy?

During the first trimester, foetal weight gain is slow and minimal. This changes dramatically from the fourth or fifth months onwards as organ development speeds up and fat deposits also begin to form below your baby’s skin. During the second trimester, you may see baby weight increases of about 45 to 70 grams per week, with the pace of weight gain picking up rapidly by the seventh month to reach roughly 200 to 225 grams per week. In fact, most baby weight gain occurs only from this period onwards, through the eighth and ninth months.

Normal baby weight in the eighth month of pregnancy

While there is some variation in what’s considered healthy foetal weight during the eighth month, the average range is 2.3 to 2.6 kilos. Weight gain continues rapidly over the next few weeks so that your baby reaches a healthy birth weight by the time of delivery. By this time, the organs are developing more rapidly, including the brain, lungs, and kidneys, contributing to much of this weight increase. Just as importantly, your baby also gains about a kilo of fat by this time.

Common reasons for low baby weight in the third trimester

Low baby weight is a common problem in developing countries because of pervasive problems with maternal nutrition. In most cases, the differences in weight are not significant enough to be concerning, but at times foetal weight may be low enough to be classified as Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) or Small for Gestational Age (SGA). Possible causes may include:

• Placental insufficiency, wherein the nutrient and oxygen supply is inadequate.
• Maternal high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
• Preexisting maternal conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, or severe anaemia.
• Infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, and malaria during pregnancy.
• Carrying twins or triplets.
• Problems with smoking or substance abuse.

How to increase the baby's weight during the eighth month of pregnancy safely

Baby weight gain strategies during pregnancy will depend entirely on how serious the problem of low weight is. In mild cases, maternal dietary modifications and nutritional support should be adequate, but in severe cases, other treatments will be required. This is determined on the basis of medical tests and the presence of other risk factors. Treatments can include:

• Increased, specialised monitoring with non-stress tests
• Increased tracking of foetal movements
• Hospitalisation and treatment with prescription medications to promote foetal development
• Optimised maternal nutrition and increased rest
• Early delivery to lower the risk of stillbirth

Diet to increase the baby's weight during pregnancy

A diet to increase baby weight during pregnancy focuses on a few simple strategies, such as:

• Increased consumption of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods.
• A diet with high protein and fat content.
• Higher frequency of smaller meals.
• Higher fluid intake.
• Prenatal vitamins as per the doctor's recommendations.

Nutrients that play a key role in foetal weight gain

Essential nutrients play a vital role in supporting healthy foetal weight gain during pregnancy. Protein is particularly important, with a recommended daily intake of 71 grams, while iron is needed at 27 milligrams per day to support both maternal and foetal blood health. Vitamin D should be consumed at 600 international units (IU) daily to aid bone development, alongside 1,000 milligrams of calcium for strong bones and teeth.

Folic acid, required at 600 to 1,000 micrograms per day, helps prevent neural tube defects and supports overall foetal growth. In addition to these nutrients, healthy fats should make up 20–35% of your daily caloric intake, providing essential energy and supporting brain and cellular development in your baby.

Foods to increase the baby's weight during pregnancy

The best foods to increase baby weight during pregnancy include those that are rich sources of nutrients essential for pregnancy, as follows.

• Protein: Lean meats, poultry, eggs, cottage cheese, legumes, peas, nuts, and seeds
• Iron: Red meat, poultry, leafy greens like spinach, beans, and iron-fortified cereal
• Vitamin D: Fatty fish like salmon, eggs, fortified milk, and orange juice
• Calcium: Broccoli, kale, dairy products, fortified cereals, and juices
• Folic acid: Dark leafy greens, citric fruits, peas, dried beans, lentils
• Healthy fats: Fatty fish like salmon, avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil

Lifestyle and daily habits that support a healthy baby's weight

Non-dietary approaches to support and promote healthy foetal weight gain include:

• Routine prenatal care: Go for regular prenatal screenings to ensure constant monitoring and early detection of any growth problems
• Exercise: Practice pregnancy-safe exercises of mild to moderate intensity, such as brisk walking and prenatal yoga, to boost circulation
• Regular sleep: Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and give yourself adequate rest during the day too
• Manage stress: Learn to practice relaxation techniques or talk to loved ones and a therapist for support

What to avoid when trying to increase the baby's weight

Some behaviours and lifestyle choices can be detrimental to foetal health, increasing the risk of low birth weight. During pregnancy, make it a point to:

• Limit or avoid caffeine intake
• Avoid all alcohol and tobacco products
• Avoid ultra-processed foods with high sugar and fat content
• Do not use any recreational drugs

When to consult a doctor about the baby's weight

While low foetal weight is not necessarily something to be alarmed about, as there is considerable variation in healthy baby weight, it can sometimes be indicative of more serious problems like foetal growth restriction (FGR). Talk to your doctor if prenatal screenings reveal any significant deviation from a healthy growth trajectory.

Conclusion

The final weeks can be nerve-racking, but if you’ve made it this far, you’re doing a great job and should have a healthy baby by your side pretty soon! Just keep doing what you’ve been doing, taking small, steady steps towards self-care and better health through balanced nutrition, rest, hydration, sleep, and regular prenatal screenings. If your baby weighs a little less than average, just work closely with your care team because most babies catch up with the right support.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a normal baby weight in the eighth month?

The average foetal weight in the eighth month is about 2.3–2.6 kilos, with roughly a kilo of fat added by this time.

2. What dietary changes help increase the baby's weight?

Focus on nutrient-dense foods, higher protein and healthy fats, and eating more frequently, in small meals. Also, ensure good fluid intake and take prenatal vitamins as directed by your healthcare provider to get all of the essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy and foetal weight growth.

3. When does most baby weight gain happen?

Most weight gain happens from month seven onward, with the pace rising to roughly 200–225 grams per week through the eighth and ninth months.