1. What is Percentage Weight Loss?

Percentage weight loss is a measure of how much weight a baby has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of a newborn's health and feeding adequacy in the early days after birth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{birth weight} \) — Baby's weight at birth (grams)
• \( \text{current weight} \) — Baby's current weight (grams)

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of weight lost relative to the original birth weight.

3. Importance of Monitoring Weight Loss

Details: Monitoring weight loss helps assess whether a newborn is feeding adequately. Excessive weight loss may indicate feeding problems or other health issues that require medical attention.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both weights in grams. The birth weight should be the weight recorded at delivery. Current weight should be the most recent measurement.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal weight loss for a newborn?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in first few days, with 10% generally considered the upper limit of normal.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if weight loss exceeds 10% or if baby isn't regaining birth weight by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically weighed at birth, 24 hours, and at follow-up visits. More frequent monitoring may be needed if concerns exist.

Q4: Does the type of feeding affect weight loss?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially but typically regain it within 2 weeks.

Q5: What causes excessive weight loss?
A: Possible causes include inadequate milk intake, feeding difficulties, or medical conditions requiring evaluation.