1. What is Infant Weight Loss Percentage?

The Infant Weight Loss Percentage is a measure of how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important indicator of neonatal health and feeding adequacy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — The infant's weight at birth (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — The infant'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 assess whether the infant is feeding adequately. Excessive weight loss may indicate feeding problems or other health issues that require medical attention.

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 newborns?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in the first few days, with 10% being the upper limit of normal. Losses >10% may require evaluation.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Contact your pediatrician if weight loss exceeds 10% or if the infant shows signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, lethargy, etc.).

Q3: How often should I weigh my newborn?
A: For healthy infants, weight checks at 3-5 days and 2 weeks are typical. More frequent monitoring may be needed if there are concerns.

Q4: When should weight regain begin?
A: Most infants regain birth weight by 10-14 days of age with adequate feeding.

Q5: Are there different considerations for breastfed vs formula-fed infants?
A: Breastfed infants may lose slightly more weight initially but typically regain at similar rates when feeding is well-established.