Newborn Weight Loss

On average, newborn babies weigh between 6 and 9 lbs. It is expected that within the first couple of days in a newborn baby's life, he will lose up to 10 percent of the weight he was when first born. Losing more than 10 percent of birth weight can be dangerous to a baby's health. During the first month of life, babies should gain at least 5 oz. per week according to kidshealth.org.

What to Expect

• It is expected that newborn babies will lose some of their birth weight because they are born with extra fluids, and, according to KidsHealth.org, those fluids are lost in the first few days of life. They also lose some of the extra fat they were born with in the first few days. Although breastfeeding is arguably the healthiest thing for a baby, it does not always come naturally to both the baby and mother. Practice and help from friends, relatives and experts are sometimes needed.

Causes

• There are times when babies lose more than the normal 10 percent. This can be caused by various things such as jaundice, insufficient breast milk supply, or if the baby is sick and will not take a bottle. According to the Mayo Clinic, jaundice occurs in newborns because of an excess in bilirubin. This causes babies to be more lethargic; therefore, they are not sufficient eaters. A jaundice baby with high levels of bilirubin is likely to have high weight loss. Also, if a baby is breastfeeding and the mother's milk supply is taking longer than normal to build up, the baby is not getting the calories she needs and would then experience weight loss. Babies are able to get milk or formula easier from a bottle than from their mother's breast, but in some cases, babies may be too sick or lethargic to take a bottle, which would also result in weight loss.

Effects

• Doctor's closely monitor babies' weights when they are in the first few weeks of their lives. This is done to prevent adverse effects due to not gaining the proper amount of weight. According to an article on KidsGealth.org, failure to get the proper nutrition can affect a child's brain and their mental development. Along with mental development, not receiving enough nutrition can affect other development of a baby, and malnourishment can also lead to death.

Prevention

• Weight loss in newborns is normal and expected, so prevention of between 5 and 10 percent of their weight is not something to be focused on. However, to prevent greater than a 10 percent weight loss, the proper nourishment is the key. Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, it is important to keep a strict feeding schedule with a newborn. Mothers who breastfeed should speak to a lactation consultant shortly after the birth of their baby to ensure their babies are getting the correct amount of milk. According to KidsHealth.org, newborn babies should breastfeed about every two hours or 12 times a day, and, according to MamaSource.com, a bottle fed baby should eat every three to four hours a day.

Coping for Parents

• Weight loss in a new born baby is not only dangerous for the baby, but it can also be harmful to the parents. According to the Mayo Clinic, having a newborn baby can bring stress to the lives of parents. When dealing with extra issues such as excessive weight loss, parents may lose more sleep or experience higher stress levels than normal. To cope with this stress, it is a good idea to talk about feelings, plan to get as much rest as possible, and keep a good perspective on life. If a baby's parents are more relaxed, it will be easier for the baby to adapt life and get healthy as soon as possible.