What is considered excess weight loss in newborns?

Newborns are expected to lose some weight in the first few days after birth; however, monitoring this weight loss is crucial for assessing their health and well-being. Generally, an acceptable range for weight loss in newborns is understood to be around 5-7% of their birth weight during the first week.

Exceeding 10% of birth weight loss is widely regarded as excessive and raises concerns about adequate feeding, hydration, and potential underlying health issues. This is due to the fact that infants have relatively small reserves, and significant weight loss can indicate that they are not receiving enough nutrition, potentially leading to complications.

Therefore, recognizing that more than 10% of the birth weight loss is considered excessive aligns with clinical guidelines and helps healthcare professionals identify when further evaluation and intervention may be necessary to support the infant's health.