Is it normal for babies to lose weight after birth?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My daughter is 17 days old today, she was born with less calcium and sugar. She was on IV formula for four days later she developed high bilirubin for which she was given phototherapy. All of this was accomplished within six days after her birth. I have been breastfeeding her but she seems to have lost almost 420 gms of weight. Her birth weight was 3170 gms and right now it is 2750 gms. She is under two medicines, syrup Ostocalcium 3 ml three times a day and syrup Abrivit 1ml once a day. What to do to increase her weight or is this normal?
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Your daughter is perfectly alright. There is nothing to worry about. Babies lose weight for first two weeks then start gaining. So continue breastfeed and other medicines as advised.
Thank you have a nice day.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for the reply.
Some more queries of an anxious father.
- She sleeps usually for 45 minutes to one hour then wakes up and cries. She cries a lot and then my wife feeds her (usually lasts for 30 minutes and sometimes 15 to 20 minutes) and then she sleeps again. She keeps cycling her legs, couching it back to her stomach when awake.
- Is this normal? We are feeding her an average of seven to eight times a day which sometimes she sucks for 15 minutes and sometimes even for an hour.
- I understand the two weeks concept of weight loss, but already two weeks and four days have passed. Still, there is no weight gain. So is this also normal?
- Her voice pitch while crying is very high hence not sure if it is for food or any discomfort. How do we gauge that?
- Her muscle in hand and calf muscle are not yet toned properly. Does this also take time to develop?
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Movements of her legs you described are normal for newborn babies. Breastfeed your baby every two hours instead of three hours. Breast feed more frequently as I said for adequate weight gain. See how many times your baby passes urine per day. Babies have to pass at least six times per day to say that your feeding is sufficient for baby. Crying usually indicates feeding time. But sometimes it could be due to nose block, ear pain, tummy ache, or soiling of diaper. You need not worry regarding the tone of limbs if your baby actively moves.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
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