Newborn Weight Loss After Birth

Weight loss in newborns after birth is normal and expected. The medical staff will monitor the newborn's weight on a regular basis during the hospital stay after birth. In addition, the pediatrician will likely recommend regular visits to monitor the newborn's weight gain in the first few weeks of life.

Birth Weight

According to the American Pregnancy Association, most babies weigh between 6 and 9 pounds at birth. However, babies who weigh outside of this range can also be perfectly healthy newborns.

Weight Loss

The American Pregnancy Association states that all newborns will lose some weight after birth. A breastfed baby can be expected to lose 7 to 10 percent of his body weight compared to a bottle fed baby being expected to lose 5 percent. Any weight loss of more than 10 percent of body weight is cause for concern. Because of this, the baby's weight loss will be monitored closely by the hospital nurses and staff.

Weight Gain

After the initial weight loss, babies will slowly gain back to the original birth weight. Depending on the amount of weight loss, this may take a few days or as long as two weeks. For babies with health complications, it could take slightly longer. As long as the baby is steadily gaining weight, it is not a cause for concern. According to the American Pregnancy Association, babies gain 5 to 7 oz. per week for the first several months of life.

Monitoring

In addition to being monitored in the hospital, the baby's weight gain will also be monitored in the pediatrician's office. Most pediatricians will ask to see the newborn for a weight check several times within the first two to three weeks of the birth. At home, the parents can monitor if the baby is getting enough to eat based on the number of wet and dirty diapers. After the first week, the baby should have five to six wet diapers a day and three to four dirty diapers per day according to the American Pregnancy Association. Breastfed babies may have more dirty diapers than bottle fed babies.

Concerns

Any concerns about the baby's weight gain and feeding schedule should be brought to the attention of the pediatrician. Because of the baby's low weight, even a few ounces of weight loss can be significant. Weight loss should be monitored in the first weeks to ensure the baby is getting the nutrition he needs to thrive. Discuss any concerns with the medical staff at the hospital or with the pediatrician after the hospital stay.