1. What is Baby Weight Loss Percentage?

The Baby Weight Loss Percentage calculation measures how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of 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 (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — Baby's current weight (kg)

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 identify potential feeding problems or health issues. Most newborns lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first few days, but losses greater than 10% may require medical evaluation.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal weight loss for a newborn?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first 3-5 days, then regain it by 10-14 days.

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 I weigh my baby?
A: In the first week, daily weights may be helpful. After that, weekly weights are usually sufficient unless advised otherwise.

Q4: Does this calculator account for different measurement units?
A: No, this calculator uses kilograms only. Convert pounds to kg (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) if needed.

Q5: What factors can affect newborn weight loss?
A: Factors include feeding method, maternal fluids during delivery, and baby's elimination patterns.