Our baby seems to have continuous weight loss. Please help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

To begin with, 3.2 kg at birth is good weight for your baby.

• Being exclusively breastfed is beneficial for the baby in many ways, nutritionally better and immunity boosting when compared with formula milk.

• Usually babies lose 10% of their birth weight in the first week of life and we expect them to regain birth weight by 10 to 14 days. So, for your baby, I would expect weight loss up to 2.8 to 2.9 kg to be normal, which was the case until first week.

• But then, she began losing weight, nearly 20% loss which is definitely not good. Causes for this weight loss might be any of the following.

• Insufficient feeding, either the baby is not feeding well or the mother is not able to feed the baby properly.

• Insufficient breast milk, mother would know if her breast is full and whether she is producing enough milk. If she does not know, ask her to express milk and see how much she is able to each time. This would be a little less compared to when the baby feeds directly.

• Formula feed can be tried at this point as suggested by your doctor. If she is accepting formula feed after breastfeed that means milk is not sufficient.

• Any retracted nipples in the mother, which makes it difficult for the baby to catch hold of. Then the mother has to try to bring it out with syringe which can be shown by a nurse or a doctor.

• If the baby is not feeding well and is dull, we should look for any infections or any other causes. For this I need other information like if she is dull, having fever or vomiting or any other symptoms. If no other symptoms, then you need not have to worry.

• Her urine output is good and stools are normal for the baby.

• If your baby is active, I would try to top up feeds with formula, extra 30 to 40 mL, diluting the milk as prescribed or as much as the baby demands after giving breastfeed. If that is sorting the problem, I would not be worried.

• Few tests that may be required are blood gas, blood counts and electrolytes.

Revert back with the reports to a paediatrician online for further follow up --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/paediatrician

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

• Weight loss is normal for all babies. It is not related to mother's high sugar level.

• Most babies sleep during feed. They are active during night. This rhythm continues for 2 to 3 months. This is normal.

• Try waking her up during sleep by tickling the ears or rubbing the soles and then feed.

• She is taking extra formula milk indicates that the breast milk is not sufficient.

• Check her weight after 4 days and if she is gaining weight, continue feeding similarly.

• If she continues to lose weight, then she needs further investigations which I had mentioned previously.

For further information consult a paediatrician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/paediatrician