Self-weigh for babies (6 weeks to 2 years old)

Naked new-born baby being laid on scales by an adult.

Self weigh sessions are for babies from 6 weeks old to 2 years old. Self weigh locations are spread across Bedfordshire and Luton.

Sessions run at a variety of times and days of the week. Please use the map or self weigh location list on this page to find your closest session and details on how to book an appointment.

Weighing your baby

The Health Visiting team will contact you to review your child's development at:

6 to 8 weeks
9 to 12 months
2.5 years

These checks include weighing your child. If you would like to use a self weigh session it will not replace any of these reviews.

If you have concerns about your baby's length, you can contact us for advice. Do not try to measure the length of your baby at home.

Self-weigh baby sessions

Hello, my name is Lata. I'm a Health Visitor and today I will be talking to you about how you can self-weigh your baby.

There are various self-weighing stations where you can weigh your baby.

When you arrive at the self-weigh station make sure you have your red book to hand. Place a sheet of paper towel on the baby mat and the scales.

Undress your baby on the mat and remember to take off their nappy. Switch on the scales and wait for all the zeros to appear on the screen.

Lay the baby on the scales or if the baby can sit unaided then you can sit the baby on the scales. Make sure the baby's not holding or touching anything around it, as this will affect their weight.

Make a note of the weight and take the baby off the scales and dress the baby.

Once the baby is fully dressed, record the date and the baby's weight in the red book.

Please clean the mat and the scales using the wipes provided and put the rubbish in the bin.

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Using a self-weigh station

- Before placing your baby on the changing mat, please make sure there is clean blue/white roll on the mat and the scales
- Undress your baby. Press the start button making sure there is blue/white roll on the scale. Wait for 0.000 to appear on the display. The scale is then automatically set to zero and ready to use
- Place your baby on the tray, ensuring that they lie as still as possible. If your baby can sit unaided, you can sit them on the scales. If not, please lay your baby on their back on the scales and ensure your baby is not holding onto anything, such as a toy, which may affect the weight.
- Take a note of the weight. Take your baby off the scales and redress them. Turn to the weighing page of your Red Book to record the date, your baby’s age and weight. Clean the mat and the scales with the antibacterial wipes or spray provided and put the rubbish in the bin.
It is normal for a baby to lose some weight in the first few days after birth. Your baby should be weighed in the first week as part of their assessment of feeding. This is often completed as part of your community midwife visit.

Most babies get back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age.

Your baby's weight will be recorded on a centile chart. If you baby's weight has increased or dropped crossing 2 centile lines (the blue or pink curved lines on the weight chart), please call or text our team so they can review this with you.

Weighing your baby too often can cause unnecessary worry. It can make it seem like your baby’s weight is going up and down. Weighing less often gives a clearer picture over a longer period of time. Occasionally your baby may be weighed more often. But usually only if you ask for it or if there are any concerns.

Recommended weighing schedule:
- From 2 weeks to 6 months, weigh once a month
- From 6 to 12 months, weigh every two months
- Over 12 months, weigh every 3 months
You can be confident that your baby is getting the right nutrition without weighing them too often, when:
- they wake up and 'ask' for a feed
- from day 5 onwards, they should have at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours
- they have times when they are content and alert
- their skin is a normal colour for them
- you can feel them getting heavier and friends and family comment on them getting bigger
- they are growing out of nappy sizes and need larger sized baby clothes
- they are reaching milestones and interested in the world around them

Last reviewed: 1 November, 2024

Self-weigh locations

Cauldwell Children's Centre - Cherry Trees Nursery

Cherry Trees Nursery School, Hawkins Road, Bedford, MK42 9LS

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 3pm.

Contact the Children's Centre

Daisy Hill Children's Centre

Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8QH

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Mondays from 9:30am to 11am.

Contact the Children's Centre

Dunstable Children's Centre

Dunstable South, Downside Neighbourhood Centre, Oakwood Avenue, Dunstable, LU5 4AS

Self weigh sessions in Central Bedfordshire are held at Children's Centres. For information about the days and times of the self weigh sessions at Dunstable Children's Centre, visit their website. Or you can call 0300 300 8106.

Visit Dunstable Children's Centre website

Eastcotts Children's Centre

65 Beauvais Square, Shortstown, Bedford, MK42 0GG

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 1:30pm to 3pm.

Contact the Children's Centre

Farley Hill Community Centre

Farley Hill Community Centre, Delphine Close, Luton, LU1 5RE

This session is now located at Luton Central Library, St George's Square, Luton, LU1 2NG. You can call 01582 368245 to contact the centre.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Flitwick Children's Centre

Flitwick Children's Centre, Malham Close, Flitwick, MK45 1PU

Self weigh sessions in Central Bedfordshire are held at Children's Centres. For information about the days and times of the self weigh sessions at Flitwick Children's Centre visit their website. Or you can call 0300 300 8111.

Visit Flitwick Children's Centre website

Goldington Children's Centre

Families First Bedfordshire, 28-30 Meadway, Bedford, MK41 9HU

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Thursdays from 9:30am to 11am.

Contact the Children's Centre

Hockwell Ring Community Centre and Family Hub

Hockwell Ring Community Centre, Mayne Avenue, Leagrave, Luton, LU4 9LB

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm. This session runs alongside the Breastfeeding Support and Social Group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Houghton Regis Children's Centre

Houghton Regis Children's Centre, Hawthorn Park Lower School, Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5QN

Self weigh sessions in Central Bedfordshire are held at Children's Centres. For information about the days and times of the self weigh sessions at Houghton Regis Children's Centre, visit their website. Or you can call 0300 300 8129.

Visit Houghton Regis Children's Centre website

Lea Manor Recreation Centre

Lea Manor Recreation Centre, Northwell Drive, Luton, LU3 3TL

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 599888 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm. This session is unstaffed.

Contact the Recreation Centre

Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre

Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre, East Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EW

Self weigh sessions in Central Bedfordshire are held at Children's Centres. For information about the days and times of the self weigh sessions at Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre visit their website. Or you can call 0300 300 8880.

Visit the Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre website

Luton Central Library

Luton Central Library, St George's Square, Luton, LU1 2NG

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Mondays from 1pm to 2:30pm, and on Wednesdays from 2pm to 3pm. Both of these sessions run alongside the Breastfeeding Support and Social Group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Marsh Farm Library

Marsh Farm Library, Lea Manor School, Northwell Drive, Luton, LU3 3TL

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 574803 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 3pm and on Thursdays from 10am to 10:30am. These sessions are unstaffed.

Contact the library

Park Town Family Hub

Park Town Family Hub, Park Town Community Centre, Bailey St, Luton LU1 3DU

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am. This session runs alongside the Breastfeeding Support and Social Group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Pastures Way Nursery

Pastures Way Nursery, Pastures Way, Luton, LU4 0PE

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Fridays from 9:30am to 11:30am. This session runs alongside the Breastfeeding Support and Social Group. Supported by Flying Start staff. Scales available for older children.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Pinecones Family Hub

Pinecones Family Hub, Slade Walk, Bedford, MK41 7SA

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Mondays from 1:30pm to 3pm and on Fridays from 9:30am to 11am.

Contact the Family Hub

Queen's Park Family Hub

Queens Park Family Hub, Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LE

No appointment needed. You can call 0300 323 0245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 9:30am to 11am and on Fridays from 1:30pm to 3pm.

Contact the Family Hub

Someries Infant School

Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, Wigmore Lane, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8AH

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 to contact the centre. Sessions run on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 10am to 11am. This session runs alongside parent chat group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

St Francis' Church

St Francis Church, Carteret Road, Luton, LU2 9JZ

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am. This session runs alongside the Breastfeeding Support and Social Group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

Stopsley Community Primary School

Stopsley Community Primary School and Nursery, Hitchin Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7UG

No appointment needed. You can call 01582 368245 if you need to contact the centre. Sessions run on the last Monday of the month from 9:15am to 10:30am. This session runs alongside sensory play for babies and parent chat group. Supported by Flying Start staff.

Visit the Flying Start Luton website

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s weight or self weigh sessions, a health professional in our team will be able to offer advice and support.

You can email eec.bedsandlutonchildrenshealthhub@nhs.net

You can call 0300 555 0606

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

Or you can text:

07507 331456 if you live in Bedfordshire
07507 331886 if you live in Luton

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm (excluding bank holidays).

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Self-weigh for babies (6 weeks to 2 years old)

Weighing your baby

Self-weigh baby sessions

Using a self-weigh station

Self-weigh locations

Who can help

Have your say

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You must log in to save content

Self-weigh for babies (6 weeks to 2 years old)

Weighing your baby

Self-weigh baby sessions

Using a self-weigh station

Weighing your baby naked

How often to weigh your baby

How to tell if your baby is gaining enough weight

Self-weigh locations

Who can help

Have your say

You must log in to save content

You must log in to save content