vitababyIn short
Most newborns lose some weight in the first few days — commonly up to about 7–10% of their birth weight — and then start gaining, usually regaining their birth weight by around 10 days to two weeks of age. This early dip is normal as feeding establishes and your baby passes fluid and meconium. A loss of more than about 10%, or not being back to birth weight by around two weeks, is a reason to check in with your midwife, health visitor, or pediatrician so feeding can be reviewed.
Key takeaways
- Some early weight loss is normal — commonly up to about 7–10% of birth weight in the first days.
- Most babies regain their birth weight by around 10 days to two weeks of age.
- The dip happens as feeding establishes and your baby passes fluid and meconium.
- Loss over about 10%, or no recovery by ~two weeks, is worth checking with your health visitor or pediatrician.
Why newborns lose weight at first
It surprises many first-time parents, but losing a little weight in the first days is expected. Babies are born with extra fluid, they pass meconium (the first dark stools), and milk supply — especially breastmilk — takes a few days to come in fully. The result is a normal early dip before the line turns upward.
How much loss is normal
As a general guide, a loss of up to around 7–10% of birth weight in the first few days is considered within the normal range. Your midwife or health visitor will weigh your baby in the early days and watch both the size of the dip and how quickly it turns around. A loss beyond about 10% prompts a closer look at feeding rather than meaning something is necessarily wrong.
When babies get back to birth weight
Most babies stop losing within the first week and are back to their birth weight by around 10 days to two weeks of age. After that, the focus shifts from the birth-weight milestone to the trend — whether your baby is settling onto and following their own centile on the WHO/Red Book growth chart (the percentile chart, in US terms).
- Days 1–4: a normal dip as fluid and meconium pass and feeding establishes.
- End of week 1: most babies have stopped losing and begun to gain.
- Around 10–14 days: most are back to their birth weight.
- After that: watch the trend along their own centile, not a single weigh-in.
When to call your health visitor or pediatrician
Speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP, or pediatrician if your baby has lost more than about 10% of their birth weight, is still losing weight after the first week, has not regained birth weight by around two weeks, is feeding poorly, has fewer wet nappies (diapers), or is very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds. Slow recovery is usually a feeding issue that responds well to early support, which is why checking sooner rather than later helps.
VitaBaby plots each weigh-in against age and highlights the recovery, so you can see exactly when your baby turned the corner — a clear picture to bring to that two-week check, and a head start if weight gain ever needs closer attention.
FAQ
How much weight loss is normal for a newborn?
A loss of up to around 7–10% of birth weight in the first few days is generally considered within the normal range as feeding establishes. A loss beyond about 10% is a reason for your midwife or health visitor to review feeding.
When should my baby be back to their birth weight?
Most babies regain their birth weight by around 10 days to two weeks of age. If your baby is not back to birth weight by about two weeks, or is still losing after the first week, contact your health visitor, GP, or pediatrician.
Is it normal for a newborn to lose weight after birth?
Yes. Almost all newborns lose a little weight in the first days as they pass extra fluid and meconium and feeding gets going. It is the size of the dip and how quickly weight recovers that matter, not the dip itself.
Sources
- Your baby’s weight and height — NHS
- Is My Newborn Losing Too Much Weight? — American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)