North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What is the typical weight gain for healthy newborns per month?

1. 0.5 inches

2. 1 inch

3. 1.5 inches

4. 2 inches

The correct answer is: 1 inch

The typical weight gain for healthy newborns is around 1 ounce per day in the first few months of life, which translates to approximately 4 ounces (or about 0.25 pounds) per week. In a month, this adds up to about 1.5 to 2 pounds of weight gain. However, the question specifies "per month" and outlines options related to inches, which pertains to length growth rather than weight. Understanding this aspect is essential when evaluating newborn growth patterns. From a growth perspective, newborns do tend to gain approximately 1 inch in length each month during the first several months of life. This reinforces the importance of monitoring both weight and length among newborns, as they are key indicators of a baby's health and development. For a comprehensive understanding of newborn growth metrics, it's essential to recognize the distinction between weight gain and length increase. While the answer options involve inches, the most fitting response correlates with the typical increment in length for healthy newborns.