As regards the topic about weight loss, we need to look at the
probability of a lot of inflated birth weights from all the fluids these
mothers receive during labor. Our babies (at our hospital) seem to be
urinating very frequently the first day or two and will drop anywhere
from 5-10% of their birth weight in that time. They may be feeding well,
or not. Large meconium diapers also can range from 1-3 oz. I truly do
not believe we need be worried about this weight loss IF the baby is
feeding well and we encourage mothers to call in if no change in their
breasts occur or if diaper output goes down too far. I do think babies
at 10% weight loss should be assessed for proper feeding, but I don't
think we should necessarily be supplementing them unless other worrisome
criteria are present.
(Everybody at our hospital seems to go into a panic about the weight
loss, though).
Cheryl Muller RNC. IBCLC

Topics of the day:

  1. initial weight loss


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 19 Feb 2002 17:51:40 EST
From:    Ann Perry <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: initial weight loss

I know this subject has been discussed before but I have a slightly
different
question for all of you.
The accepted weight loss for the newborn is currently 10% (at least in
the
USA).  There have been articles and conferences suggesting this number
is too
high and should be set at 7 or 8%.
Now here is my question and dilemma.  If the majority of the weight loss
is
in the first 24 hours is this an accurate gauge?  I have seen very
healthy
babies loss up to a pound in their first 24 hours (this is with at least
6
breastfeedings and adequate urine and stool outputs).  My first
assumption is
a scale error or maybe even a human error.
With the 10% loss this is normally seen by day 4 or 5, so what
percentage
loss would be normal in the first 24 hours?
I keep thinking about the average intake of a newborn in their first 24
hours, which is only a couple tablespoons or less than an ounce.  So how
can
they have a large weight loss unless they are put under the lights and
become
dehydrated?

I remember Jack Newman stating the need to look at the baby first and
not the
numbers.  I totally agree.
I would love to hear what others think about this and how to handle it.
thanks,
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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