1. What is Percent Birth Weight Loss?

Percent birth weight loss is a measure of how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. It's particularly important for monitoring newborns in the first days after birth to ensure proper feeding and hydration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( birth\_weight \) — The weight of the baby at birth (kg)
• \( current\_weight \) — The current weight of the baby (kg)

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

3. Importance of Weight Loss Calculation

Details: Monitoring weight loss in newborns is crucial as excessive loss may indicate feeding problems, dehydration, 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 display the percentage of weight lost since birth.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is normal weight loss after birth?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first few days, with 10% being the upper limit of normal.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: If weight loss exceeds 10% of birth weight or continues beyond the first week, consult a healthcare provider.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically at birth, 24 hours after birth, and then daily until weight stabilizes and begins to increase.

Q4: When do babies typically regain birth weight?
A: Most babies regain their birth weight by 10-14 days of age with adequate feeding.

Q5: Does this apply to premature babies?
A: Premature babies may have different weight loss patterns and should be monitored more closely by medical professionals.