A new born's weight generally doubles by the age of _____ months.

Question

Accepted Answer

A new born's weight generally doubles by the age of 6 months.

1. **Explanation for Option 2 (Correct Answer):**
   - It is a well-established fact in pediatric health that a newborn's weight typically doubles by the age of 6 months. This is a standard milestone used by healthcare professionals to assess the growth and development of infants. During the first six months, infants experience rapid growth, fueled by adequate nutrition, which is often provided through breastfeeding or formula feeding. This period is crucial for the baby's physical development, and doubling of birth weight by 6 months is considered a healthy indicator of proper growth.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (2 months):** 
     - By 2 months, a newborn is still in the early stages of growth. While infants do gain weight rapidly during the first few months, it is unrealistic for a newborn's weight to double by this age. The growth rate, although significant, is not sufficient to achieve a doubling of birth weight in just 2 months.

- **Option 3 (9 months):**
     - By 9 months, most infants have already surpassed the milestone of doubling their birth weight. In fact, by this age, many infants are on their way to tripling their birth weight. Therefore, 9 months is too late for the doubling milestone, making this option incorrect.

- **Option 4 (12 months):**
     - By 12 months, a child's weight is expected to have tripled from birth, not just doubled. The first year of life is marked by significant growth, and by the end of the first year, tripling of birth weight is a more accurate expectation. Thus, 12 months is not the correct age for the doubling of birth weight.

In conclusion, Option 2 is the correct answer because it aligns with the standard growth expectations for infants, where a newborn's weight typically doubles by the age of 6 months.