1. What is Newborn Weight Loss Percentage?

The newborn weight loss percentage calculates how much weight a baby has lost compared to their birth weight. It's an important metric for assessing neonatal health and feeding adequacy 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 (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 identify excessive loss that may indicate feeding problems, dehydration, or other health issues. Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in first few days.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter birth weight and current weight in grams. Both values must be positive numbers, and current weight should not exceed birth weight.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal newborn weight loss?
A: 5-7% loss is typical in first 3-5 days. More than 10% loss may require evaluation.

Q2: When should babies regain birth weight?
A: Most regain birth weight by 10-14 days of age.

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

Q4: Does weight loss differ by feeding method?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially than formula-fed infants.

Q5: When is weight loss concerning?
A: Loss >10% or failure to regain by 2 weeks warrants medical evaluation.