How does an infant's weight change in the first year?

In the first year of life, an infant's weight typically undergoes a significant increase, specifically, it can triple from their birth weight by the time they reach their first birthday. This rapid growth is a critical aspect of early development, as infants require substantial nutrition and energy to support their physical and cognitive advancements during this period.

At birth, most infants weigh between 5.5 to 8.8 pounds, and by the end of their first year, they can weigh around 15 to 22 pounds or even more, effectively tripling their initial weight. This remarkable growth rate reflects the body's needs for development and adaptation as the infant progresses through various developmental milestones.

While doubling in weight is common around the six-month mark, the overall trend for the first year is that the weight increase continues, leading to the tripling effect by the end of twelve months. Other options suggest stable weight or lesser growth percentages, which do not accurately represent the typical growth pattern seen in infants during this critical growth phase.