1. What is Infant Weight Loss Percentage?

The infant weight loss percentage calculates how much weight a newborn has lost compared to their birth weight. This is an important metric in neonatal care as excessive weight loss can indicate feeding problems or other health issues.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( birth\_weight \) — Infant's weight at birth (kg)
• \( current\_weight \) — 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: Newborns typically lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first few days. Losses greater than 10% may require medical evaluation and intervention.

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 a newborn?
A: Most newborns lose 5-7% of their birth weight in the first 3-4 days, then regain it by 10-14 days.

Q2: When should I be concerned about weight loss?
A: If weight loss exceeds 10% of birth weight or if the baby isn't regaining weight by day 5-7.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: Typically at birth, at 24-72 hours after birth, and at the first pediatric visit (3-5 days old).

Q4: Does breastfeeding affect weight loss?
A: Breastfed babies may lose slightly more weight initially but should follow similar patterns of regain.

Q5: What causes excessive weight loss?
A: Possible causes include inadequate milk intake, feeding difficulties, or medical conditions.