Newborn Weight Check

A newborn weight check is a 30-minute non-routine visit to confirm that baby is gaining weight appropriately. It is normal and expected that all breastfed babies lose weight in the first few days of life. A weight loss less than 10% of birth weight is usually not a concern. Babies should begin to gain once the milk comes in, usually around day 3-4. 

 

A newborn weight check is required in the case of slow newborn weight gain, weight loss after the milk has come in, breastfeeding complications, change in the feeding plan, insufficient pees and poops, jaundice, or at the midwife’s discretion. A newborn weight check can occur as its own stand-alone visit or can be combined with a lactation or bilirubin visit as appropriate. 

 

At the newborn weight check, the midwife will weigh your baby, assess your baby’s vital signs, and check-in on the feeding plan. Once the feeding plan is reviewed, the midwife might recommend feeding more frequently, pumping to increase milk supply, or supplementation with pumped milk, donor milk, or formula to address weight loss or slow weight gain. Any changes to the feeding plan are made in collaboration with parents and with consideration of the needs and desires of each unique parent-infant dyad.