The reason why children do not grow during the confinement period

Many new parents are confused as to why their baby’s weight does not increase but decreases during the confinement period? This is because the fetus cannot digest food quickly after leaving the mother's body and can only obtain nutrition through breast milk. If a baby under one month old loses some weight, it is normal and there is no need to worry. Next, I will explain to you why the baby does not gain weight during the confinement period?

1. It is normal for babies to lose weight after birth!

Almost all babies lose weight after birth. This is because, after birth, newborns will experience a physiological weight loss due to the excretion of excess water and meconium in the body. Generally, the weight should start to increase on the 2nd to 4th day, and should completely return to the birth weight by 10-14 days at the latest, and then continue to rise. This is also called "physiological weight loss."

About 50% of naturally delivered babies lose 7% of their body weight within 48 hours after birth, while 10% lose 10% of their body weight within 72 hours after birth. Most babies born naturally begin to gain weight after 48 hours.

Babies born by cesarean section lose even more weight. By 72 hours of age, 5% of infants had lost 12% of their birth weight. Because the mother receives a large amount of intravenous fluid during the operation, which makes the baby's birth weight heavier, the baby will lose more weight after birth as the excess fluid is eliminated from the body. Most babies born by cesarean section begin to gain weight after 72 hours of life.

2. How much growth does a baby need during the confinement period to be considered satisfactory?

As the mother and baby have more and more intimate contact, and the baby sucks effectively, the mother's milk begins to be secreted in large quantities, and the baby can be said to grow arms, legs and head very quickly during this period of time.

In the "Maternal and Infant Health Literacy - Basic Knowledge and Skills (Trial)" updated by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China in 2014, it was mentioned that when a newborn is one month old, its weight should be at least 600 grams more than when it was born.

The World Health Organization's 2006 Child Growth Standards state that infants should gain 596g to 972g per month from 0 to 3 months old.

After three months, the rate of weight gain begins to slow down

The energy required for basal metabolism of babies of different ages/different body surface areas varies. Compared with babies of 3-6 months old, although the weight of babies aged 1-3 months continues to increase, the speed will slow down in the 4th month.

3. What should I do if my newborn loses weight?

Countermeasures for baby weight loss: start breastfeeding early, increase feeding, give appropriate amount of water, and avoid excessive warmth. As long as you follow scientific feeding methods, breastfeed in time and provide careful care for your baby, your baby's weight will be restored quickly.

If your newborn has not regained his birth weight after 10 days, look for the following reasons:

First of all, you should think that it may be insufficient breast milk, and you should find ways to help the mother persist in breastfeeding, such as increasing the number of times the newborn sucks to stimulate the secretion of breast milk, and the mother should maintain good eating and rest habits.

Secondly, pay attention to the breastfeeding method and let the baby eat more hind milk. If the newborn is mixed-fed or bottle-fed, pay attention to the method and feeding time of formula milk. If the weight of the newborn baby does not increase, we should go to the hospital for examination in time to avoid delaying the baby's growth and development.