Measuring weight loss in newborns is a critical component of newborn care. It helps healthcare providers assess the baby’s overall health, identify any potential feeding difficulties, and make appropriate interventions to ensure optimal growth and development. Weight loss in newborns can occur for various reasons, including inadequate milk intake, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions.
Regular monitoring of a newborn’s weight is essential to track their progress and detect any sudden changes that may indicate a problem. Healthcare providers typically weigh newborns daily during the first few days of life to establish a baseline and monitor their weight gain. If a newborn loses more than 7% of their birth weight, it is considered significant and requires further evaluation.