I have seen this phenomenon for many years. Mom has large amounts of IV
fluids in Labor (especially with epidurals in our hospital 2000cc IV in
before they start the thing). The baby has an INFLATED weight at birth due to
fluid retention. Some IV fluids are more likely to cause this (D5W, Ringers
Lactate? Dr. Jack).
You don't have to guess at the reason for the weight loss if you have access
to the baby's hospital record. (If you don't ask the mom for information) How
many voids did the baby have in the first few days of life. Ask the mom if
the diapers were really wet and heavy. Baby's usually have low volume voids
the first 2-3 days. Did the baby look puffy-swollen eyelids, legs, wrists?
How does he look now?
I have seen up to a pound of weight loss from mom's IV fluids. What is
CRITICALLY important is : that the is baby gaining now. Serial weight checks,
daily if needed, provide a wealth of information.
Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC