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Can Delivery 20 Days Before The Expected Date Cause Low Birth Weight?

Posted on Sat, 30 Jul 2016

Question: Hi, my baby boy born weight is 2.25KG(22.06.2016) and born before(20days) due date and today we took him to hospital for general checkup and weighed, now he is 2.5kg....is this proper weight increase

After two days of his born he reduced his weight to 1.9kgs with 101 fever and we took him to another hospital and treated in NICU about one week and discharged on 1st July 2016 and weight at that time is same as 1.9kg.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Weight gain is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Birth weight if less than 2.25 kg is low birth weight.Delivery 20 days before the expected date does not effect the weight much.
Baby loses upto 10% of body weight during first 7-10 days of life and regain the birth weight by 2-3 weeks.Fever during first week with weight loss more than 10% of birth weight can be due to decreased breast feed(dehydration).Other less common causes of fever with weight loss can be due to infection.
I won't get overly worried as the baby has regained the birth weight(even after one week of NICU admission).

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Sir,
Thanks for your prompt reply.....
Now baby taking milk via mother only not formal feed and he looks some weak as compared to other babies with same age group...
When will be reach his weight and looking as Normal babies.
Please advice...as a father i wish my boy will be alright in terms of Health as well as looks.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue the breast feed,it is the best feed for baby

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for follow up

I can understand your concern.Breast milk is the best feed for the baby as many important constituents like immunoglobulin(to provide immunity against various diseases),lipids for growth of brain,which are not there in formula feed.It is beneficial for mother too and also there are lesser chances of infection with good emotional bonding.
As the baby born with low weight,you may find him weaker than babies of same age.But I won't get overly worried as if fed well,most of the baby attain normal growth by the age of 3-4 months.
One thing I would suggest you to increase the caloric intake of mother with extra protein and fluid in her diet to make the quality of breast milk better.

I wish good health for the baby and your family.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (6 minutes later)

Thank you very much sir......
If possible please advice that what are foods(Examples) or Diet pattern good for mother to form quality milk.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Give high protein and high calorie containing foods

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again

In lactation there is extra need of about 500 kcal/day and 2-3 gm/kg of protein above the daily requirement.
Also hydration of the mother should be good for adequate milk production.
You may give soyabean,paneer(egg,meat,fish if nonveg),green leafy vegetables (spinach,drumstick),dry fruits like almond,walnuts etc,cumin seeds,fenugreek.Also give dates,seasame,oats,barley with whole grains.
Encourage to take cow milk daily in adequate amount. Don't avoid oil and fat completely,but take it in sufficient amount as this helps in absorption of vitamins and also helps in growth of brain of baby.
I hope this helps to certain extent.
Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar