Breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their body weight during the first week of life, but they should regain that weight within the first 2 weeks or so after birth. Babies are born with some extra fluid, so it is normal for them to drop weight when they lose that fluid in the first few days of life.
During the first month, most newborns gain weight at a rate of about 30 grams per day. They generally grow in height with about 2.5 to 3.8 centimeters during the first month. Many newborns go through a period of rapid growth when they are 7 to 10 days old and again at 3 and 6 weeks.
Causes of newborn weight loss
Despite the normal weight loss that is expected to occur in newborns, many newborns who are breastfed lose weight for the following reasons:
Not breastfeeding enough: It is important to put your baby to the breast at least every two to three hours in order to stimulate healthy milk supply and to provide your baby with enough breast milk to gain weight.
Incorrect breastfeeding latch: When your baby isn't latching correctly, they cannot efficiently remove enough milk from the breast to grow at a consistent and healthy rate.
An issue with your baby's ability to latch: If you have severely engorged breasts, large nipples, flat nipples, or inverted nipples, your child may have difficulty latching. Babies can also have physical or neurological issues that interfere with their ability to latch to the breast properly. Your baby will not be able to get enough milk without a good latch.
Sleepiness: Sleepy newborns need to be woken up for feedings every two to three hours. Breastfeeding a sleepy baby can be a challenge, but it is very important to make sure that your baby is nursing often and getting enough breast milk to gain weight.
Late onset of milk production: A difficult birth, stress, or a retained placenta are just some of the causes of a delay in milk production. Until your breasts fill up with milk, your baby will not gain weight.
When to be concerned about your baby’s weight loss or poor weight gain
It is important to note that all babies grow at a different pace. For most, growth after birth is fast and easy. However, some babies do not gain weight as quickly as expected, even though they may have a healthy appetite. Doctors and experts get concerned about a lack of weight gain because it can lead to problems like developmental delays, behavioral concerns, and difficulty fighting infections (poor immunity).
Babies should not lose more than 10% of the their birth weight. If your baby loses more than this, or has not returned to it by three weeks old, a health professional will assess need to assess your baby for various underlying causes.
A doctor will perform an assessment and will look for signs of illness, like dehydration. The doctor may ask for details about how your baby has been feeding and may observe you while your baby feeds. The doctor can offer you guidance with feedings and proper breastfeeding techniques.
Some babies have tongue tie, an anatomical problem that can make it difficult for them to feed. A doctor may also be able to provide guidance with formula feeding.
Take Home Message
Breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their body weight during the first week of life, but they should regain that weight within the first 2 weeks. It is important to visit your healthcare provider for guidance.
This article is written by Dr. Itumeleng Buti (MBChB)
References
1. Kellams A, Harrel C, Omage S, Gregory C, Rosen-Carole C. ABM Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary feedings in the healthy term breastfed neonate, revised 2017. Breastfeed Med. 2017;12:188-198. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29038.ajk
2. NCT.org. My baby is not gaining weight.[Internet] [updated 2018 January; Cited 2022 April 19] Available from: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/common-concerns/my-baby-not-gaining-weight.
3. Nemour’s Children Health. Your Newborn’s Growth. [ Internet] Accessed 2022 April 19. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/grownewborn.html.
4. Donna Murray. Weight Loss in the Breastfed Baby.[ internet] Ver Well Family: [Updated 2020 April 20; Cited 2022 April 20] available from: https://www.verywellfamily.com/weight-loss-in-the-breastfed-infant-431641#citation-1
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