Weighing baby - when done again after birth? Problems with this last time...

[MoragG]

Obviously medical staff weigh the baby just after they are born, but does anyone know if there are guidelines as to when they should next be weighed? With DD1 I ended up being kept in hospital for 5 days after she was born becasue they thought she had lost 14% of her birth weight. However, with hindsight we think she was probably weighed again far too early (later the same day she was born) and we are also suspicious that the weight written down by the (student) midwife was wrong (we didn't appreciate the significance of the number at the time).

With DD2 due in 2 weeks I am keen to avoid the same experience (with DD1 I was so desperate for her to gain weigh I stopped breast feeding in order to get to leave hospital), so we want to be more informed this time about what is supposed to happen when with weighing and what is a reasonable amount of weigh loss in relation to when the birth was. Can anyone help?

It is supposed to be either 4th or 5th day. It is written in the back of the red books if you still have yours from previously.

If that is the case I don't understand why she was weighed again in hospital at all then! Did anyone else have another weight check done post birth prior to leaving hospital?

you can refuse all measuring and weighing if you want to.

you dont have to consent to it at all

That doesn't sound as it should, unless there was a reason to be particularly concerned about her weight ie very premature.

Even then, I don't think babies are weighed on the same day for weight gain monitoring purposes.

I know a few people who have gone back into hospital when their baby hasn't regained their birth weight, but it's always been after a few days at home.

Was everything else about her birth and health okay?

Were you on any drips for the birth? This can add extra weight to your baby, not sure how much, so I've seen it suggested that where drips were involved, the baby isn't weighed straight away as it would give a false idea of their actual size. Can't remember how long a gap was suggested though.

DD1 was small but not premature - she was on the 9th centile when she was born. I was induced at 39 weeks due to suspected low amniotic fluid. Her apgar score was 9 and then 10 a few minutes later.

standard procedure seems to be weigh at day 5 to see how much has been lost, then again at day 10 when hopefully baby is back to birthweight again. can't see why they would weigh earlier than day 5 unless the baby is unwell/premature/low birth weight.
If you encounter weight loss/gain issues again, ask to be referred to a specialist lactation consultant for proper help with the breastfeeding.

I was on a syntocin drip because I was induced - don't know if that is relevant?

My ds was weighed daily as he was early and in nicu, my dd was weighed at birth then at home visit 4 days later.

Will try and find the info about drips & birth weight.

This is the research I came across concerning drips to the mother for labour/birth. In the abstract (first section), the 'conclusions' paragraph summarises what they found and their recommendations. Note that the study's authors 'recommend a measurement at 24 hours, instead of birth weight, for baseline when assessing weight change'.

Of course, the study looked at full term babies. I expect IV fluids to the mother have a similar effect on premature babies but I would imagine you need to be more careful about recording weight at birth with premature babies for various reasons.

This is a really interesting study - thanks very much for the link crunchingautumnleaves. I feel a lot more informed now, and will definitely question closely any post birth weighing this time round!

Depends on hospital policy. Where I used to work it was weigh on Day 3, Day 7 and 10 (and on day 5 if concerns on day 3). Where I am now it is on the day of discharge from hospital (when ever that is) Day 5 ? Day 7 (if concerns) and discharge (which varies). You can refuse.......but expect a quizzing if you do!