Normal Process of Weight Gain and Loss in a Newborn
Many new parents are surprised to learn that newborns actually lose weight before beginning to gain. While this is normal and healthy, it raises questions about how much weight loss and gain is typical for a new baby.
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Weight Loss Guidelines
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All newborns lose weight in the first week. Breastfed babies usually lose 7 to 10 percent of their birth weight while formula-fed infants lose about 5 percent, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Why Weight Loss Occurs
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Initial weight loss in a new baby is normal and occurs because the infant is losing the extra fluid he carried until birth, says KidsHealth.
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Regaining Birth Weight
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Most babies will be back at their birth weight by 2 weeks old, although premature infants or those with certain health conditions may take longer to gain weight.
Weight Gain
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Newborns usually gain 5 oz. or more every week in their first month of life and have roughly doubled their birth weight by 4 months old, states the American Pregnancy Association.
Considerations
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Since newborns see the doctor so frequently your pediatrician will be monitoring your baby's weight. Call the doctor between visits if you're concerned about excessive weight gain or loss.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Eric Fleming
