It is normal for breastfed babies to lose weight for the first 3 days after birth. Weight loss in newborns is expressed as a percentage of the birthweight. Exclusively breastfed babies are perfectly adapted to survive on the small volumes of colostrum they receive in the first few days.
After this, their mothers begin to make large volumes of breastmilk which then provides all the fluids, energy and nutrients they need and they will regain their birthweight by 2 weeks after birth. Epidurals and intravenous fluids.
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This may make it appear as though the baby has lost an excessive amount of weight. What is a Growth Chart or a Percentile Chart? Growth charts are used to help follow and assess a baby's growth. Your baby's weight can be plotted against a weight-for-age growth chart. Historically, these charts have been compiled by measuring the weights of hundreds of different children at each age.
Baby weight losses and weight gains
The most common type of growth chart is a percentile chart where these hundreds of weights are then divided into equal groups. These groups are then plotted on a graph or listed in a table. If your baby record book does not contain the World Health Organization growth standards, you may like to print out and put them in your book.
Importantly, the World Health Organization growth standards are based on healthy, exclusively breastfed babies from six countries across five continents. These more accurately show how a normal baby should grow.
You can find the World Health Organization child growth standards percentile charts and tables here:. The simplified World Health Organization child growth percentile field tables, which are very easy to read, can be found at: Girls , Boys.
It is the pattern of growth over time, rather than a single measurement or percentile, that is important. The following example explains how you should read a percentile chart:. If a baby's height or weight is 'off the chart' above the 97th percentile or below the 3rd , there is a higher chance of something being wrong and it is wise to check with your medical adviser.
In many cases though, all is well. Three in every normal babies will weigh less than the 3rd percentile, often because both parents are small. Does it matter if my baby doesn't 'stick' to a percentile line? Usually, no. They can and do grow faster or slower at times. From birth to 6 months, larger babies tended to put on weight more slowly on average and smaller babies put on weight more quickly. This may be because birth size relates more to nutritional conditions in the womb than to genetic potential for growth.
As this group of children got older, they were much less likely to cross two weight-for-age percentile lines, but it did still happen. Table 1. Percentage of infants and children crossing 2 percentile lines — weight-for-age. Percentage of infants and children crossing 2 percentile lines — weight-for-height.
Birth to 6 months. My baby has had persistently low weight gains.
Breastfeeding basics: Tips for moms with newborns
Is my baby getting enough breastmilk? Many mums who are worried that their baby is not gaining enough weight are also worried that their baby is not getting enough breastmilk. Jones and Bartlett Learning. Was this page helpful?
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Answers to Your Breastfeeding Questions. All About Breastfeeding and Your Period. Many newborns go through a period of rapid growth when they are 7 to 10 days old and again at 3 and 6 weeks. Newborns are so small, and it can be hard to know if your baby is gaining weight the way he or she should. You may worry that your baby has lost too much weight in the first few days or isn't taking enough breast milk or formula.
If so, talk to your doctor, who may ask you about:. Being small or large at birth doesn't mean a baby will be small or large later in childhood or as an adult. Plenty of tall teens began life as small babies, and the biggest baby in the family can grow up to be a petite adult. By the time they're adults, kids tend to resemble their parents in size. Genetics , as well as good nutrition and your attention, will play a large part in how your baby grows in the years to come. Whether your baby starts out large, small, or average, in the next few months you can expect your little one to keep growing fast.
Reviewed by: Madhu Desiraju, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.