On Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:11:33 -0500, Lynn Christensen, CD (DONA), wrote:  

"Is there a chart already in existence (on the Internet, maybe?) that shows
acceptable weight loss (10-12%) for newborn babies, before they start
gaining?  I am looking for an easy reference tool to see at a glance how
many ounces a baby born at 7lb 12 oz (3515 g), for instance, could lose."

 

Lynn - I don't have a chart but I have used an easy way to calculate the
common loss, which is usually about 10%, IF a baby has been born in a
hospital setting.

I convert the birth weight to ounces (lbs x 16 plus the ounces; e.g. 7lbs 12
oz = 7 x 16 plus 12 = 124 oz, 124 divided by 10 (for 10 % loss) = 12.4,
rounded off to 12; birth weight minus 10% loss would be 7-12 minus 12 = 7
lbs).  For grams, it would be:  3515 divided by 10 = 351.5 grams; 3515 minus
352 = 3163 grams.

After doing it a few times, it becomes more automatic and easier.  Sticking
to calculating 10% weight loss makes it easy to divide by just moving the
decimal point and gives a close estimation; if the loss is a little more
than 10% I don't worry about it; I just work on improving the breastfeeding
management and it almost always works out.  Someone could make up a chart
and post it if that would make it easier.

I hope this helps.

Lee Galasso, MS, IBCLC, RLC

Lactation Specialist

Lactation Center of Westchester/Putnam

Westchester County in NY State

 


             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html