newborn weight loss
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Topic: newborn weight loss
Posted By: bun_in_the_oven
Subject: newborn weight loss
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 3:07pm
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what is considered a "healthy weight loss" for a newborn
My baby boy has lost 11.17% from birth to morning of day 7. Should i be overly concerned or is this about right ? I have been recommended by midwife to insist he feeds every 3 hours from now on.. thanks in advance |
Replies:
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 3:31pm
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Spencer lost more than that, my milk was quite late coming in cos of having a c/s. He had lost more than 10% by day 3 when we were transferred and continued to lose until my milk came in, not sure how much in total my mw wasn't that in to weighing them. It then took till 4 weeks to get back to birth weight. I was told to feed 3 hourly but that was because of jaundice and actually 3 hourly would have been bliss cos he actually preferred two hourly.
If your boy is quite sleepy and not waking for feeds then it might be good to at least feed 3 hourly during the day and then maybe let him go longer at night (if he will). Feeding more frequently this early on will help you build a good supply up for him too (if you are BF) ------------- 
 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 3:34pm
| Daniel lost 14% which my MW and lactation consultant were concerned about. Ours was due to feeding issues and it took 3 weeks to gain that back. We had to do 2hrly feeding during the day for a little while |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 3:35pm
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I think it's pretty normal for some babies to lose quite a bit during the first week. As long as they start putting on weight after that initial week, then it should be fine.
Sam went from 9'lb 1oz to 8lb5oz during the first week and that was purely because the nurses at the hospital (I stayed 5 days after my c-section) insisted that he would only need a certain amount and we had heaps of feeding difficulties. Once we got home and got sorted and I started expressing every three hours and feeding every three-four hours then he started to steadily gain weight. ETA, I've probably got no idea what I'm talking about. From the other posts I think even after the first week if they haven't put weight on, it's still ok. |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 5:23pm
Callum lost over 10% (bad Mummy can't remember the exact number) which we were told to expect in the first 7 days and we also had to wake him to feed every 3 hours. Of course it's a bit different with a preemie but even so, the nurses weren't concerned at all, they thought it was totally normal and we were allowed to let him feed on demand at night (he still woke 3hrly lol). Hope that helps to reassure you  ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 5:28pm
It is "normal" for babies to lose up to 10% of their weight in first the 7-10 days. My boy lost nearly 12% as my milk didn't come in until late on Day 4 (I had a c-section) but as he was a big boy (9lb 6oz) so had a fair bit of reserve so MW wasn't too concerned but also wanted me to feed him 3hrly. We came home on a friday and she came back on the Monday to recheck his weight and he had put on 320gms!  Don't worry too much about it, your MW would have said if she was concerned
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Posted By: bun_in_the_oven
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 7:23pm
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thanks ladies.. i feel much better now
gosh there is sooooo much to get your head around with Bfeeding.... im just soo pleased he is latching properly.. think i just have to work on him staying awake and feed for longer each feed |
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 14 August 2009 at 7:49pm
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Leah lost over 15% and had to be tube fed, she was only 6lb2oz to start with and after 5 days in and out of special care they told us one more visit and we were being admitted. We were in 6 days (cs and 1 month early) it took over a month for her to get back to her birth weight. Joel only lost 200 gr and was back over that after the first week! -------------  
 
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 15 August 2009 at 3:16pm
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Jake lost over 10%... am not sure the exact amount as he when he was weighed on day 5 it was 10% and my milk had come in late on day 3 and he would have put a bit back on my the time he was weighed.
Jake was very sleepy and would fall asleep constantly during feeds and I would have to wake him as he was happy to starve (still is the little monkey, I now have to feed him after and before naps to ensure he is getting enough as he looses weight otherwise!). When I started waking him 3 hourly he put on a whopping 480gm in 5 days!!! -------------   
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