4 day old baby...PLEASE HELP!?

Question

Ok, I am a new Mommy so bear with me. My son is 4 days old and I took him to his first check up since being born. I have a few questions, but keep in mind that the doctors we see are Navy docs because we are military, and Navy docs arent always the best care providers. When my son was born he weighed 8lbs 9 oz. When they weighed him today he was 8lbs 4oz. Is this bad or do a lot fo babies lose a little weight after being born? My second concern was that she said my son MIGHT have a hernia, but thats all she said. She didnt go into any detail nor did she show any type of concern. If my son had a hernia would he be in some kind of pain? Also, if she thought he did shouldnt they be a little more concerned. She seemed more concerned about his weight! Any advice???

Answer 1

Almost all babies lose a couple of ounces after birth. Totally normal. I'm not totally sure about the hernia, but I would take him to another doctor.

Answer 2

It is totally normal to lose weight, and he should be starting to gain weight any day now. They don't get really concerned unless he is not back up to his birth weight within 10 days. Did the doc say where the hernia is? Most common is a hernia where the force of labor and crying pushes a little of his intestine against his healing umilicus (belly button) making it bulge a little. If this is the case, then once the belly button falls off and heals up, they simply put a little gauze and a bandage over it to give a little counter pressure so it heals tight and the intestines don't get pushed into any serious trouble. If it is an internal hernia somewhere else, it will be dealt with as the baby ages and is better able to handle treatment. A herniated umbilicus doesn't usually hurt and most hernias don't hurt unless you move and irritate them in a particular way, all of which is unlikey at four days old. Military doctors are frequently overworked and sometimes have been trained in other things then thrown into Family Practice. Learn now to be your own and your baby's advocate. If you need time, ask for it. If you have questions, ask them and keep at it until they satisfy you. Don't be rude, but don't just go home because they seemed busy. He should be starting to gain weight now and since it is a maybe hernia, you will have to wait for now. Try not to let the mommy worries get you into too big a tizzy (I called the doctor weekly at first, I totally know how you feel) you will feel more confident and more comfortable every day.

Answer 3

Congratulations on the new baby! It is very normal for a newborn to lose weight at first. They want the baby to have regained birthweight by the age of 2 weeks. My newborn had lost 8 oz at the 4 day checkup, had regained 3 oz 4 days later at a Dr weight check and had regained another 4 oz at the next weight check when he was 10 days old. Just make sure that the baby is having enough wet and dirty diapers...that way you know that their eating enough.
Hernia is also really common in babies. Your baby probably has umbilical hernia. It is also not usually a problem. What has happened is the place in the abdominal wall behind the belly button is not sealed up and some of the baby's intestines are pushing thru. Once the cord has completely healed up, if it looks like your baby has an "outie" and when you put your hand on it you can feel it bulge when he strains it's an umbilical hernia. It doesn't hurt the baby and it will usually correct itself by the time the baby turns 2 years old. If it has not corrected itself by then then they will have to go in and cover the hole. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

I have 4 and they ALL lose a few ounces of weight right after birth, it is completely normal. Especially if you are breastfeeding they will lose more because breastmilk has less empty calories than formula. If you don't like the military doctors I would suggest finding a good source of information online - just be sure it is credible and not some wacko's blog or something.
My son's doctor expressed concern about a hernia when he was first born, too, and it turned out to be an undescended testicle, which corrected itself. My doctor took a wait-and-see approach because he wasn't in pain. Try an internet search on "infant hernia" and if you don't like what you find, call your doctor again. Is there possibly another doctor in the same facility you could try? If nothing else I would go off base and see a civvie doctor, it might cost a little but a straight exam won't make you go broke and might ease your mind a lot.
Good luck and CONGRATS!

Answer 5

Babies always lose a bit of weight at first. If he keeps losig weight then there is a cause for concern. MIGHT have a hernia?? Did they suggest a x-ray or ultrasound to see for sure?? Mayber you should ask more about this hernia. As far as the little weight loss...at this time I couldn't be concerned. My son was 8lb 4 oz when born and 7lb 10 oz when we left the hospital.

Answer 6

My son was 8lbs 11oz when born for his 3 day checkup he was 8lbz 6oz.. Completely normal. Most babies lose weight before they leave the hospital. As far as the hernia goes.. she shouldve told you that you will have to wait and see if he has a hernia. its usually an umbilical hernia which usually doesnt cause the babies any pain. Sometimes they lessen or sometimes they need to be removed surgically. Dont stress about it but make sure she checks it again the next visit.

Yes I know all about Navy doctors. I had one tell me that the rash that was on my daughters legs were flea bites (even though they didnt itch and they werent papable). Later that night her ankles got so swollen she couldnt stand so I took her to a civilian ER and she had HSP which is a viral infection that attacks the blood vessels. Her blood palates were so low the doctors said if she has bumped her head she would have bled to death and we wouldnt have known about it. After that I got private insurance and never took my daughter to another navy doctor. Not all are bad some are very good but you need to trust the doctor your child sees so if you start having doubts you need to switch or look at different options you have. Good Luck and Congrats!!

Answer 7

All newborns loose weight in their first week, Some times as much as a pound. This is normal and should turn around soon. Second hernias in newborns are also normal they are usually around the belly button and will close by itself within the first year. The hernia does not hurt at all. I am a mom of 5, 3 girls and 2 boys ( and I'm 13 weeks) with our 6th! Ps. Congratulations on the baby and get ready for many other "little" worries. :)

Answer 8

Hi there,
4 days old - wow, you must be freaking out! Not to worry though...

Yes, babies always lose weight right away, just keep feeding on demand and he'll gain it back quickly, and then some!

My little guy had a hernia when he was born, too. Turned out to be a double-hernia, they discovered, when they did the surgery at 4 months old. No, they don't have pain like kids and adults do since they're not standing and putting pressure on the area. He's fine now, and the recovery was less than a day pain-wise! Just a little tylenol that night, and that's it! They're actually really typical especially in preemies. My guy was about 4 weeks early.

Hang int here, I'm sure you're doing great!!!

Answer 9

Newborns usually lose weight in those first few days. By your two week appt. I'm sure his weight will be back up again. Take a breath - it's only day 4. Just love and cuddle him. Can't say much about the hernia. Never heard that before - how did she come up with that? I'm sure there would have been some tests if there were real cause for concern.

Answer 10

ok, calm down, it's totally normal that infants loose weight again, especially in that little amount of weight.I'm Army Wife so i know what are you talking about, but usually the doctors are pretty good.Also my girl had hernia, baby's are born with it, they have it or not.Hernia is the protrusion of an organ or structure into surrounding tissues. For example, an inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak point in the groin. Most hernias occur in the abdomen.
She had a surgery when she was 2month old, was the hell for me, but it is actually a routine surgery of course there are risk , always everywhere,but it is nothing uncommon.
So don't worry about it, he can be in pain, just let the doctor check on it frequently and let them tell you how you can check on it at home, that's what we did also. You will feel a bomb on the usually right side of the lower stomach.But let them tell you.
Don't worry about the weight again, if he eats fine and don't loses weight constantly, you don't need to worry about. There is also a scale you can buy for home and just weigh him on your own if that would be better for you, so you will see right away if he loses weight drastically.
I know how it is being a new mom!

Answer 11

Don't worry!

Both of my babies lost weight the first week to week and a half. TOTALLY NORMAL. Actually my pediatrician said my son should be losing weight. After two weeks your baby should start gaining weight. I believe one of my babies lost almost 2 lbs.
Also, I wouldn't worry about a hernia. I think it's something like well right now he doesn't have one and if he did we couldn't tell but we will find out soon if it is POSSIBLE if he might have one.

Also, being a new parent is very hard so try not to worry too much and take it easy.