1. What is Newborn Weight Loss?

Newborn weight loss refers to the normal physiological weight reduction that occurs in the first few days after birth. Most newborns lose between 5-10% of their birth weight in the first week before regaining it by 2 weeks of age.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the weight loss formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Birth Weight} \) — The newborn's weight at birth (kg)
• \( \text{Current Weight} \) — The newborn'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 feeding adequacy and identify potential problems. Excessive weight loss (>10%) may indicate feeding difficulties or other health issues requiring 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 newborn weight loss?
A: Typically 5-7% for vaginal births and 7-10% for C-section deliveries. Loss >10% warrants evaluation.

Q2: When should weight regain begin?
A: Most babies start regaining weight by day 4-5 and return to birth weight by 2 weeks.

Q3: How often should newborns be weighed?
A: First weigh-in at 24-72 hours after discharge, then as needed based on feeding progress.

Q4: What causes excessive weight loss?
A: Inadequate milk intake, breastfeeding difficulties, or medical conditions like jaundice or infection.

Q5: When to seek medical advice?
A: If loss exceeds 10%, baby is lethargic, has <6 wet diapers/day, or shows signs of dehydration.