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

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Our baby is 2 weeks 1 day old. Her weight at birth was 3.2 kg, after 1 week it was 2.9 kg and today it is 2.6 kg. She seems to have continuous weight loss. We are really worried. She has been completely breastfed. She used to have 3 to 4 wet diapers during daytime and 2 to 3 wet diapers at night. She passes stools once or twice in 24 hours. Our doctor advised us to start formula feeding. Will it really help to increase her weight? Can you please guide us how serious is her weight loss?

Answered by Dr. Nagasirisha Naredla

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 consult a pediatrician online for further follow up.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

That was a nice and detailed clarification. We lost our first baby before 7 days to due date due to increase in blood sugar of the mother. During this current pregnancy, we found that AFI for mother went to 20 that is a bit elevated. So, our doctor took decision to deliver her prior to 1 month of due date to avoid situations like the previous delivery. During the sonography, doctor told that increase in AFI might be the start of sugar for the baby and baby weight was a little more than normal. She also told that baby will lose weight after delivery as this is an extra weight for the baby.

My concern is whether this weight loss is related to the above? After baby's birth we also tested sugar for baby which is in normal range. Mother also does not have sugar now. We kept the baby in NICU for 24 hours just to ensure everything is fine. And the reports were normal during that period. Till now when my wife feeds our baby, baby falls asleep while feeding. So, we do not understand whether her hunger is satisfied or not. Is it normal? Please give some suggestion. After your guidance, we gave her formula milk from night. She takes around 15 to 20 mL after every 3 to 4 hours in addition to mother's milk. Will it improve her weight? She is also active during nights and sleeps during the day. She is not vomiting and plays nicely when she is awake. She never cries a lot. We are really concerned about our baby's health due to the first incident we faced. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Nagasirisha Naredla

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.
  • 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.

Answered byDr. Nagasirisha Naredla

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At September 27, 2014
Reviewed AtMay 7, 2025

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Dr. Nagasirisha Naredla

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