1. What is Infant Weight Loss Percentage?

The infant weight loss percentage measures 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 early days after birth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — The infant's weight at birth (grams)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — The infant'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 identify feeding problems, dehydration, or other health issues. Excessive weight loss may indicate the need for intervention or supplemental feeding.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both weights in grams for accurate calculation. Ensure measurements are taken at the same time of day for consistency.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal weight loss for newborns?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in first few days, typically regaining it by 10-14 days. Loss >10% may warrant evaluation.

Q2: How often should weight be measured?
A: Daily in first week for breastfed infants, especially if weight loss exceeds 7%. Hospitalized infants may be weighed more frequently.

Q3: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if loss exceeds 10%, if infant shows signs of dehydration, or if weight isn't increasing by day 5.

Q4: Does the type of feeding affect weight loss?
A: Breastfed infants often lose slightly more weight initially than formula-fed infants, but patterns should still follow normal ranges.

Q5: How accurate should the weights be?
A: Use the same calibrated scale each time, preferably a digital infant scale that measures to the nearest gram for greatest accuracy.