Weight Trajectory Assessment for This 8-Day-Old Infant
This infant's weight trajectory is reassuring and not concerning. The baby has regained birth weight ahead of the expected timeline and is demonstrating appropriate early weight gain 1.
Weight Pattern Analysis
This infant's weight progression shows:
- Birth weight: 3.27 kg
- Discharge weight: 3.050 kg (6.7% loss from birth weight)
- Day 8 weight: 3.24 kg (already 20 grams below birth weight, essentially at birth weight)
Initial Weight Loss Assessment
The discharge weight represents a 6.7% loss from birth weight, which falls well within normal parameters 1, 2:
- Healthy breastfed infants typically lose 6-7% of birth weight by days 2-3 1
- Weight loss up to 10% is considered normal in the first few days 1, 2
- This degree of loss does not indicate feeding inadequacy 3
Birth Weight Recovery Timeline
This infant has essentially regained birth weight by day 8, which exceeds guideline expectations 4, 1:
- Birth weight should typically be regained by 7-10 days of life 4
- Median recovery time is 8.3 days for breastfed infants and 6.5 days for formula-fed infants 4, 1
- Pathology needs evaluation only if birth weight is not regained by 12-14 days 4, 1
Weight Gain Velocity
From discharge (day unknown, but likely day 2-3) to day 8, the infant gained approximately 190 grams over roughly 5-6 days:
- This translates to approximately 32-38 grams per day, which exceeds the target of 30 grams per day for infants 0-3 months 1
- The recommended target is 17-20 g/kg/day, which for this 3.2 kg infant equals approximately 54-64 grams per day 5
- While slightly below the per-kilogram target, the infant is clearly gaining weight steadily and has recovered birth weight appropriately 1
Clinical Interpretation
No intervention is warranted at this time 1, 6. The infant demonstrates:
- Normal physiologic weight loss that did not exceed 10% 1, 2
- Timely recovery of birth weight by day 8 4, 1
- Positive weight gain trajectory after the nadir 1
When to Be Concerned
Intervention would be indicated if 1, 6, 5:
- Birth weight not regained by 12-14 days 4, 1
- Weight gain below 17-20 g/kg/day after initial recovery 5
- Infant falls below 2.3rd percentile on WHO growth charts 1
- Minimal or no weight gain during the first two weeks 1, 6
Recommended Follow-Up
Continue routine monitoring with weight check at the 2-week visit 6:
- Assess feeding adequacy (8-12 feedings per 24 hours if breastfed) 1, 6
- Verify continued weight gain of approximately 30 grams per day (210 grams per week) 1
- Use WHO growth charts for plotting weight trajectory 1, 5
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not misinterpret the normal breastfed infant weight loss pattern as pathologic 1. The 6.7% loss at discharge followed by steady recovery represents the expected physiologic adaptation, not feeding failure 2, 3.