Jan writes (in the case of more than 10 per cent weight loss in a baby who
was otherwise doing fine)' I would suspect an incorrect
birth weight, or fluid transfer from excessive IV fluids given to the mom.'

Absolutely!

In any case, 10 per cent is an *arbitary figure* - why not 11, or 9 or 12.5
or 8.33333 recurring ?  I bet 10 per cent is picked out the air 'cos it's
easy to do the maths in your head (okay, not when working in imperial, but
metric it's easy peasy...)

As Jan indicates, what's so great about birthweight anyway? It's a loose
guide, that's all. Babies can be on the 2nd centile and look fine and round
and (yes) small; they can be on the 15th and look awfully scrawny.

Look at the baby, watch the bf, talk to the mother and listen to her
story...there's no substitute!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK