1. What is Baby Percentage Weight Loss?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — Baby's weight at birth (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — Baby's current weight (kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the original birth weight has been lost.

3. Importance of Monitoring Weight Loss

Details: Newborns typically lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first few days. Losses >10% may indicate feeding problems or other health issues requiring evaluation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter birth weight and current weight in kilograms. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will instantly compute the percentage weight loss.

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 3-5 days, then regain by 10-14 days. Losses >7% warrant evaluation, >10% requires intervention.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Contact your pediatrician if loss exceeds 7% in first 72 hours, 10% at any time, or if baby isn't regaining birth weight by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: First weight at 24-72 hours after discharge, then as needed based on feeding and weight trends. Daily weights may be needed for high-risk infants.

Q4: Does weight loss differ for breastfed vs formula-fed babies?
A: Breastfed babies often lose slightly more weight initially but follow similar patterns. Any excessive loss requires evaluation regardless of feeding method.

Q5: What causes excessive weight loss in newborns?
A: Common causes include inadequate milk intake, breastfeeding difficulties, excessive fluid loss, or medical conditions affecting metabolism or absorption.