Is your baby's weight loss normal?
All newborns lose weight in the first days. Let's check if yours is within the safe range.
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most newborns lose 5-7% of birth weight in the first 3 days. Breastfed babies may lose up to 10%. This is normal and caused by fluid shifts and limited initial feeding. Birth weight is typically regained by days 10-14.
Contact your pediatrician if: weight loss exceeds 10% of birth weight, baby hasn't started gaining by day 5, or birth weight isn't regained by day 14. Also watch for fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 4.
Most newborns regain birth weight by 10-14 days of age. Weight loss typically stops and reversal begins by day 3-5. Formula-fed babies tend to regain slightly faster than exclusively breastfed babies.
Normal causes include: fluid shifts (babies are born with extra fluid), limited colostrum volume before mature milk comes in (day 2-5), and meconium passage. C-section babies may lose more due to extra IV fluids during delivery.
Yes. Breastfed babies typically lose slightly more weight (7-10%) because mature milk takes 2-5 days to come in. Formula-fed babies usually lose 5-7%. Both patterns are normal. The NEWT tool provides feeding-specific reference curves.
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Methodology
Newborn weight loss of 5-7% is normal in the first 3-4 days of life. Breastfed babies may lose up to 10%. Most babies regain birth weight by days 10-14. Weight loss exceeding 10% requires medical evaluation.
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