Losing Weight, Gaining Insight: The Truth About Newborn Weight Changes - Ep4

In this episode, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant unpack the myths and panic surrounding newborn weight gain and loss.

They discuss normal physiological weight loss, how over-frequent weighing fuels anxiety, and why nappies (diapers) reveal more than the scales.

You’ll learn how to interpret percentage loss correctly, when to act, and how IV fluids, birth interventions, and feeding frequency all play into the picture.

Takeaways:

• Most babies lose 7–8% of their birth weight — and that’s normal.

• Over-weighing increases anxiety and confusion for parents.

• Pee and poo output is a more reliable early indicator of milk intake.

• IV fluids during labour may be falsely inflating birth weight.

• Look at the whole clinical picture — not just the number.

• Healthy feeding plans require nuance, not one-size-fits-all charts. 

The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from your doctor, midwife, lactation consultant, or another qualified health professional regarding your own health or your baby’s care. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant share insights from clinical experience and current research but do not provide personalised medical care through this podcast.

Explore more education: 🌐 katiejames.site 🎓 Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals 🛋️ The Feeding Couch 🧠 Decoding the Suck 📸 @katiejameslactation ▶️ YouTube: The Latch Revolution

Keywords: newborn weight loss, baby weight gain, breastfeeding, milk intake, infant growth, postpartum care, IV fluids, lactation consultant, midwife, baby scales, feeding plan, nappies, milk transfer