Weight loss in a newborn: normative and acceptable indicators, description, reasons

When a child is born, the first indicators that doctors measure are the baby’s height and weight. These indicators are carefully monitored by pediatricians, who are regularly visited by parents and their children. There is such a thing as weight loss in a newborn. It can be physiological or pathological. Depending on the causes of weight loss and its nature, treatment is prescribed, if necessary, as well as preventive measures. Today we will talk about baby weight loss, consider what the norms are, what pathological weight loss is.

Normal weight for boys

Before talking about weight loss in a newborn, it is necessary to note the norms in general, defining standard indicators. At birth, the standard indicators are weight in the range from 2.8 kg to 4 kg. The baby’s height ranges from 46 to 55 cm. If previously the weight and height of children at birth tended more towards the lower bar, now there is a tendency towards an increase in weight indicators. More and more large children with heroic weight are being born. Let's look at the table of standard weight indicators for boys.

How does a baby's weight change during pregnancy?

The weight of the fetus changes every day, and after 30-32 weeks the increase becomes more noticeable. What does this depend on? The process occurs at a rapid pace due to the ability of the uterus to stretch significantly.

In its normal state, the size of the female reproductive organ reaches 6-8 cm, weight - about 60 grams. By 32-34 weeks of gestation, the uterus increases to almost 30 cm, and by 38-40 weeks it reaches 40 cm and weighs more than a kilogram. This unique ability of the organ is inherent in nature itself, due to which suitable conditions are created for the full formation and growth of the baby inside the womb.

Many pregnant women are concerned about the question of how much weight the baby gains by week and what to do if weight gain is bad? Sometimes, in order to increase the baby’s weight at 34-36 weeks, specialists prescribe special mixtures to the woman. They help the baby gain the necessary indicators before birth.

In the first trimester

Doctors determine fetal growth and weight using ultrasound. The embryo is visible on the device monitor only from the 8th week of gestation. Until this time, it is tiny in size.

Starting from the 8th week of pregnancy, the embryo becomes human-like. It has a large head, a small body with the rudiments of arms and legs. By week 4, the weight of the embryo is approximately 1.5-2 g. After 30 days, the weight increases 5 times, although the embryo still remains tiny.

In the second trimester

From the 20th week, the baby’s organs are actively forming, and muscle tissue is also appearing. He grows in length, the proportions of his body change. The limbs take on the correct shape. In the period from 18 to 20 weeks, the expectant mother begins to feel the first movements of the child.

In the second trimester, the child’s weight increases approximately 50 times and at 24 weeks reaches 0.5-0.6 kg (see also: weight and height of the child at 26 weeks of pregnancy). It follows from this that the fetus gains about 60 grams per week.

In the third trimester

The third trimester (starting from the 30th week) is characterized by increased muscle mass gain, since all vital organs are already formed (see also: 30th week of pregnancy - how many months is it?). The baby gains on average 200 g per week. In general, starting from 7 months, its weight increases 6 times during the entire third trimester. During this period, the fetus rapidly gains weight and by the end of the 37th week already weighs 2.5-3 kg.

Normal for girls

Considering the weight norm for girls, we will also present a table from very low to very high. At the same time, we draw your attention to indicators from below average to above average. All other standards require close monitoring of the child by a doctor. Not only the baby’s weight and its compliance with the table indicators is very important, but also the relationship between the child’s height and weight. The standards we propose are relevant for babies born on time; these standards do not apply to premature babies; there are other indicators.

There are special tables and graphs that establish the correspondence between weight and height. The graphs take into account the region of birth of the child, the physique of the parents and other factors that, one way or another, affect the height and weight of the child. Let's look at the table of weight standards for girls.

Causes of child weight loss

After the birth of a child, his main occupation is sound and healthy sleep. During the first month, for the child to fully recover, develop, and grow, he needs to sleep a lot and soundly, waking up only for the feeding process. At this stage of baby's development, a huge amount of milk is not required. A few milliliters are enough to satisfy your hunger. This is why the newborn loses weight; there should be no weight gain at all. Doctors set standards within which a child’s weight loss is considered normal. As a rule, weight loss is observed regardless of how the baby is fed: breast milk or formula. During the first 4-5 days, this phenomenon is quite normal, after which a gradual increase in body weight begins. Let's consider the main reasons for weight loss in a newborn:

1. Decrease in the percentage of fluid in the body. For a long time, the baby is in the womb filled with fluid. At birth, the baby is subjected to stress, causing swelling and large amounts of water to accumulate. The child returns to normal condition within 4-5 days. Swelling subsides, excess fluid comes out through the skin and pores.
2. Meconium. The baby's first stool comes out within 3 days. Throughout its development in the mother’s body, the child accumulated it in the intestines. During the first days this stool comes out. Thus, weight loss in newborns in the first days also occurs due to bowel movements.
3. Lack of mother's milk. In fact, such a problem is often made up by the mother and does not correspond to reality. In the first days there should not be a lot of milk; the child needs a few milliliters. Subsequently, the breasts fill up and there is more milk; as a rule, the amount is enough for feeding. If there is not enough milk, the baby may lose weight.
4. Premature babies, that is, those who were born prematurely, as a general rule, are kept in specialized incubators and receive nutrients hourly according to their needs. In such a situation, the rate of weight loss in newborns is about 15% of the total weight at birth. After the baby has been discharged, it is necessary to breastfeed him as often as he requires. The body knows best when and how much milk is needed.
5. Children born with high weight levels lose it in the first days. They need, like premature babies, to get used to new conditions and also get into normal shape.

Low weight baby

Since all people are different, they are born with different indicators.

Some are completely healthy, while others have abnormalities.

If children in your family are born underweight, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.

The specialist should know that there is no reason to worry - the child will be born with a low weight.

Other reasons for having underweight children are:

• Problems with the functioning of the placenta (proeclampsia in pregnancy), high blood pressure, lack of nutrients.
• Multiple pregnancy. Low weight babies are born when there are several of them. Two or more babies are cramped in one womb. In such a situation, it is very important to eat right and avoid medical examinations.
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy. It is important to eat a balanced diet and according to a schedule; you should not abuse diets while pregnant. It is also important to refrain from eating heavy and unhealthy foods that lead to rapid weight gain.
• Refusal of a healthy lifestyle and indulgence in bad habits. This includes smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy. If the expectant mother behaves this way, she is unlikely to be able to give birth to a healthy child.
• The presence of chronic and advanced diseases in the expectant mother. If the expectant mother has diabetes, problems with the genitourinary system and endocrine disorders, all this can affect both her condition during pregnancy and the health of the fetus.
• Nervous disorders. The baby feels everything in the womb - there is no need to be stressed or worry about anything. It's important to just enjoy this moment.
• A hereditary factor that manifests itself in the baby’s inheritance of a particular disease that his parents and other close relatives have.

When a baby is born with underweight, parents should not be upset. In order for a child to get stronger faster and grow up healthy, his mother should eat high-calorie foods. Then the baby on mother’s milk will be able to rapidly gain weight.

Baby weight loss rate

Previously, we looked at the reasons for weight loss, which are physiological, that is, completely normal, there is no pathology in this. The rate of weight loss in newborns is 5-7% during the first days after birth. In this case, there is no need to take measures to gain weight and worry about it. The child will certainly regain his body weight fairly quickly, within two weeks. Doctors also claim that the percentage of weight loss in a newborn may be higher. A loss of up to 10% of total body weight will not be considered a pathology, but the baby still needs to be monitored to prevent dehydration. Pay attention to the condition and color of your skin. In the first days after birth, the baby does not feed on milk, but on colostrum - this is a substance that is secreted by a woman before milk, it is also nutritious and beneficial for the child.

If the loss of body weight exceeds the indicators presented above, you must consult a doctor and undergo an examination. As a result, the cause of weight loss will be revealed, treatment will be prescribed, and a complex of vitamins will be prescribed to restore the child’s body.

Large baby

Previously, a child was considered large if he weighed more than 4 kg at the time of birth.

But according to the latest data, those babies whose weight is around 5 kg are considered large.

The reasons for such a large weight may be as follows:

• Post-term pregnancy. Despite the fact that the due date has already approached, the baby continues to grow and gain weight.
• Diabetes. Sometimes during pregnancy, women's sugar levels increase, which can lead to the development of diabetes in the baby. Such children often have metabolic disorders.
• Incorrectly formulated diet. This problem is one of the most common - not all expectant mothers adhere to a healthy diet during such a crucial period of their lives.

Every mother monitors the development of her child month by month. Child development at 1 year and 4 months - what should a baby be able to do by this age?

You will find tips for parents on re-educating a spoiled child here.

The eternal question is: how long should you breastfeed your baby? Let's look at the pros and cons of long-term breastfeeding in this article.

Acceptable indicators

If a woman’s pregnancy proceeded normally, there were no complications or premature birth, the baby’s weight will probably range from 3 to 3.5 kg. By the end of the hospital stay, every mother will notice that the child has lost weight. We looked at the fact that this is a completely normal phenomenon, and in the form of percentages we established what weight loss is normal.

Let's consider the limits of normal weight loss in newborns at discharge using specific numerical indicators. During the first 3-5 days, the baby's body weight may decrease by 150-300 grams, depending on environmental conditions and initial birth weight. If the baby was born premature, then weight loss can be 15-18% of the total body weight. The boundaries increase if the birth was protracted or the child received a birth injury.

Pathological weight loss

If weight loss in newborns in the first days exceeds 10% of the total body weight or it continues after the 5th day, you need to think about pathology. The examination must also be carried out if the child’s weight remains the same. It is necessary to understand that weight loss in the case of pathology is accompanied by some symptoms. So, pathological weight loss in newborns in the first days is usually accompanied by the following phenomena:

1. Strong thirst, the baby actively and greedily grabs the mother's breast, there is a desire for constant fluid consumption. In this case, saturation occurs quickly and not for long, soon the child wants to drink again.
2. The heart beats quickly, shortness of breath appears.
3. We pay attention to the skin of the newborn: it is dry and begins to peel off.
4. The mucous membranes are dry and in a painful state.
5. An increase in temperature is not always observed, but it does happen.

Deviation from the norm of weight loss in newborns in the first days and months after birth is caused by several reasons:

1. Lack of milk in the mother, taking antibiotics, various diseases of the woman or genetic predisposition lead to a decrease in the amount of milk. This phenomenon is called hypogalactia. The only way out of this situation is to prescribe artificial formulas for feeding the child.
2. A pathological condition of a child in which he cannot grasp the breast correctly, and the baby’s sucking reflex and ability to swallow are also impaired. This situation in most cases occurs in premature babies or in children with developmental delays.
3. Diseases associated with the nervous and respiratory systems, in which the child cannot breathe and eat at the same time. In this case, illnesses are expressed in anxiety when putting the child to the breast, in refusal to eat, despite the fact that the child is hungry.
4. The mother does not feed the baby on demand. In the early days after birth, the baby often feels the need to feed. If the mother does not listen to the baby's urges, weight loss may occur. The baby can stay at the breast from 20 minutes to an hour; there are times when the mother does not have the patience to wait that long.

Often, deviations from the norm of weight loss in newborns in the maternity hospital are associated with diseases and pathologies of the child. In this case, a thorough examination is required, and discharge from the maternity hospital is allowed only if the baby begins to gain weight. For example, if the child is premature or has low weight, discharge cannot take place until the child returns to normal condition and begins to gain weight. Deviation from acceptable weight loss in a newborn is taken as a pathology that needs to be treated and controlled.

Child weight norms by week: table

Routine examinations of a woman allow doctors to determine weight indicators in order to determine whether the baby is developing correctly and whether its weight corresponds to norms. If deviations from the norm are greater or lesser, specialists may prescribe special therapy.

The average fetal weight by week of pregnancy can be seen in the table:

Babies born at 37 weeks of pregnancy or later are considered full-term. Normal weight ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 kg. As a rule, boys are born slightly larger than girls.

Deviations in a child’s birth weight are not only due to gender. This indicator is also affected by:

• heredity;
• chronic diseases of women;
• fetal malformations;
• placental insufficiency;
• lifestyle of the expectant mother.

Signs of dehydration

Dehydration is the cause of newborn weight loss in the hospital, which is very natural and does not pose a threat if the process is controlled. You need to be well aware of the signs of dehydration that needs to be treated. Symptoms include:

1. Recession of the fontanel.
2. Constant shortness of breath of the baby.
3. Anxiety, poor sleep, moodiness.
4. Bright color of the mucous membrane.
5. Dry skin, peeling may appear.
6. The heart beats quickly.

If the mother detects one of the above signs, it is urgent to replenish the water deficit in the body in any way. If this is not done in a timely manner, serious consequences can occur, including death. If dehydration is in a severe stage, then fever may appear, body weakness and the symptoms listed above are more pronounced. In this case, a dropper is often used; the balance of the fluid can only be restored with the help of it.

Preventing dehydration

We said earlier that a child is born with edema, and during the first days of life it subsides due to the loss of fluid in the body. This is normal weight loss in newborns, but at the same time, this process can be controlled so that excess fluid does not leave the body. To prevent dehydration you should:

1. Give the baby access to the breast no matter what time or how often the baby asks to feed. After all, the child’s body knows perfectly well how much it needs, when and in what quantities. Even if it seems to you that the baby has been at the breast for a long time and it’s time to tear him off, you shouldn’t do this. It must be remembered that the feeding process is not just eating, it is contact with the mother, which is so necessary for any baby.
2. The microclimate must also be maintained to control physiological weight loss in newborns. The room temperature should not exceed 22-24 degrees, and it is advisable to regularly humidify the air. Wet cleaning should be done twice a day, namely: wiping the floor and furniture in the children's room. That is why the weight loss of a newborn in the maternity hospital is especially controlled, because a favorable microclimate is maintained in the medical institution.
3. The skin, as you probably already understood, can say a lot about the health of the newborn. If your mother or doctors notice redness, dryness, or flaking of the skin, you need to conduct an examination and identify the cause. In addition, it is necessary to supplement the baby with water, but after feeding, in order to further prevent the baby from refusing to feed.

How is the weight of an unborn baby measured?

In the second half of pregnancy, the body weight of the expectant mother increases rapidly.

While waiting for the baby to be born, a woman can gain from 10 to 20 kg in weight. There are also situations when weight gain exceeds 20 kg.

At the same time, pregnant women are interested in answers to the following questions: what is the weight of the baby at a certain stage of pregnancy.

Determination of fetal weight using the Jordania formula is used after the 35th week of pregnancy. To do this, you will need to take into account the following values:

• Abdominal circumference (measured in centimeters, at the level of the navel).
• VSDM (height of the uterine fundus, measured from the fundus point to the pubic symphysis).

The formula looks like this: coolant x VDSM +/- 200 grams.

It allows you to determine the approximate weight of the baby at birth. However, it will be possible to obtain accurate information only before the birth of the baby, since his weight changes in proportion to what foods the mother eats and in what quantities.

Determining the weight of a child using the Yakubova formula is carried out using a similar formula.

The circumference of the fetus (in cm) is added to the VFM and multiplied by 100, and then divided by 4.

The result compared to the previous formula will differ by 30-40 grams.

Many doctors use the calendar method, in which the weight of the child is determined by the stage of pregnancy and the size of the uterus. Here the following parameters are taken into account:

• Width of the anterior semicircle of the uterus.
• VDSM, measured in cm.

The discrepancies in the calculations will not be too large. It is worth understanding that the data obtained by any of the chosen methods is approximate. Not everyone is able to calculate the exact weight of a child, and even at the time of pregnancy this parameter is not particularly important.

It is important for a pregnant woman to monitor her weight so that the birth goes smoothly and the baby is born healthy.

Proper care and recovery

We looked at the rate of weight loss of a newborn in the first days, but did not pay attention to weight recovery and weight gain. There is no way to prevent weight loss, and you must understand this. This is quite normal for a newborn. If proper care is provided, breastfeeding is established, and all conditions for recovery are created, the baby will soon begin to gain weight.

A healthy child experiences weight loss within 4 days from the moment of birth, and already on the 5th-6th day weight gain begins. On days 6-8 (maximum 14), the child’s weight will return to its previous level. With proper nutrition, the baby will gain from 125 to 500 grams in 7 days.

A prolonged recovery, as well as a strong weight gain, may indicate a deviation and health problems. It is very important to observe not only the feeding regimen, but also the drinking regimen. If the baby rarely urinates or has thick stools, he needs to be more actively supplemented with plain water after breastfeeding. If a child is on artificial nutrition, he simply needs to drink, and the more, the better.

Weight gain and growth

In the first month, a newborn boy should have weighed 770–1450 grams, and a girl 670–1270 grams (see table).
Gain rates for the first month

* The table shows weight gain from birth to 30-31 days

If the weight gain turns out to be low or large , then the doctor must perform a thorough diagnosis and give his recommendations for feeding.

If the weight gain does not fit into the normal range (less than 380 grams), then feeding recommendations are not enough. It is necessary to undergo tests and conduct a full diagnosis to find or exclude hidden problems, indolent diseases and dehydration.

The following table shows the norms of weight gain for the coming month:
Norms of weight gain for children from 1 to 2 months

*Indicated weight gain from 30th to 61st days from birth

In the first months after birth, babies gain weight very unevenly, so it is recommended to weigh them every week.
Below is a fragment of the weekly weight gain table corresponding to this period of life. Weekly weight gain of newborns in grams

Starting from the first month (from the fifth week), the boy should gain weight by 200-340 grams per week, the girl - by 170-300 g. Over the entire coming month, the boy will have to gain 960-1300 grams in weight and 3.8 cm in height, the girl is 800–1160 g and 3.5 cm.

What happens to the baby after birth?

Every mother needs to know what else, besides weight loss, happens to her baby after birth. The phenomena we discussed below, if they become severe, are an indication for long-term observation of mother and baby in the hospital, in which case discharge is postponed:

1. In the first days of life, a child’s skin may acquire a jaundiced tint, this is due to the immaturity of enzymes that are formed in the liver. Jaundice appears in a newborn on days 2-3, reaches a maximum by 6, and then gradually disappears. In a normal healthy baby, by the end of the second week all signs of jaundice will disappear; if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor. This phenomenon is called physiological jaundice; in some it may be weakly expressed, in others, on the contrary, it is stronger; the degree depends on the individual characteristics, predisposition, as well as the genetics of the baby. Difficult labor and asphyxia can also lead to a serious form of pathology, one of which is hemolytic disease. This is the process of destruction of red blood cells. In such cases, a blood transfusion is often required.
2. Regurgitation of a baby is the return of milk into the oral cavity from the stomach immediately after feeding, or after a long period. Light and infrequent regurgitation is normal for a baby. They are caused by the small volume of the stomach, the swallowing of air with milk, and the immaturity of the swallowing process. Copious, frequent, increasing regurgitation may be a manifestation of a stomach defect. In this case, the child begins to rapidly lose weight or his weight stops at one level, and dehydration develops. The solution to this problem is only possible through surgery.
3. Immature and premature babies with signs of developmental delay also remain in the hospital for some time for observation. In such children, the adaptation period is more difficult than in healthy ones, which is why monitoring by doctors is necessary.
4. Children born in a state of asphyxia, that is, who have suffered oxygen starvation, are the object of examination by doctors. In this case, the nerve cells become more sensitive, muscle tone is disturbed, and frequent regurgitation occurs. All this is an indication for observation by a doctor.

We have looked at several of the most common situations, which may cause discharge from the maternity hospital to be delayed for a short period. In most cases, the presence of diseases or developmental disorders is indicated by the child’s rapid weight loss. That is why it is necessary to closely monitor your baby and react in time to possible danger.