The Developing Period 6i 



loss of from four to six oimces, after which there 

 should be a steady gain. It must be remem- 

 bered, however, that babies are apt to gain 

 irregularly at short intervals. One day the 

 infant may show a gain of an ounce and the next 

 day a quarter of that amount while doing per- 

 fectly well. Again, the weight may remain sta- 

 tionary for a day or so and then jump up two 

 ounces in twenty-four hours. There should at 

 least be an average weekly gain during the first 

 five months of about four and a half ounces 

 to seven ounces, and from five to twelve months 

 of about two and a half to four and a half 

 ounces. 



The infant should double its birth weight at 

 five or six months, and treble it at twelve to 

 fifteen months. The weighing should be done 

 by the same person either on grocer's scales 

 or lever scales specially constructed for infants. 

 Daily weighings are often deceptive and unde- 

 sirable. During the first six months once a 

 week is sufficient, and in the second six months 

 once in two weeks is often enough in cases that 

 are doing well. Careful records should be kept, 



