1. What is Percentage Birth Weight Loss?

Percentage birth weight loss is a measure of how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. It's commonly used to assess neonatal health and feeding adequacy in the first days after birth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percentage weight loss formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — The baby's weight at birth (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — The baby's current weight (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 helps identify infants who may need additional feeding support. Excessive weight loss (>10%) may indicate feeding problems or other health issues.

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 since birth.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: Consult a pediatrician if loss exceeds 10% or if baby isn't regaining birth weight by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically weighed at birth, 24-48 hours after birth, and at first pediatric visit (3-5 days old).

Q4: Does weight loss differ for breastfed vs formula-fed babies?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially but should follow similar patterns of regain.

Q5: When do babies typically regain birth weight?
A: Most regain birth weight by 10-14 days of age, though some may take longer.