It has long been accepted and advised that newborn weight loss greater than 7% is abnormal, and supplementation is often recommended. 

But how did we arrive at that number as being the cutoff for "normal?" And was that based on the normal for breastfed babies, or formula-fed babies?

This course looks at the historical studies that recommendation was based on, and Dr. DiTomasso's recent original studies with different findings, in a quest to find an evidenced based answer to the questions of what normal weight loss is for (breastfed/chestfed) newborns.

Course Evaluation Comments

Shared with permission from our

“I found Dr. Thulier's calm, evidence-based presentation to be both illuminating and hopeful - especially when her research may now be referenced among the pediatricians in my practice. So appreciative of her work.”

Cynthia E

IBCLC

“I fell like it was very well organized and put together. I understood it easily and could understand the speaker easily as well.”

Racheal B

Certified Lactation Consultant

“Helpful reminder to not worry so much if newborn nears 10% weight loss since mean is 8% and only 9% of 151 newborns wasn’t back to birth weight by 14 days.”

Allison W

Licensed Midwife

Learning objectives:

1. The learner will list 2 problems with data collection in research studies focused on newborn weight.

2. The learner will identify a negative outcome associated with weight loss in newborns.

3. The learner will identify expected weight loss patterns for full term breastfeed neonates.

4.The learner will identify expected growth patterns for full term breastfeed neonates.

HiveCE is an approved provider of continuing education by the California Board of Nursing, and this course meets the California Board of Nursing criteria for 2 hours of continuing education. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17686, for 2 contact hours. (This is widely accepted nationwide as continuing education for nurses and midwives.)

IBLCE has allocated 2 L-CERPs for this course. IBLCE verification numbers: C2002321 from 2/3/2021 to 2/2/2022, C2002011 from 2/3/2022 to 2/2/2023, C2023006 through March 5th, 2024, and C2023297 through March 5th, 2025.

IBLCE previously allocated 2 R-CERPs for this course, under IBLCE verification number C1991360.

Previously approved by MEAC for 2 hours of continuing education. Approval number M1920-51-1228DE, through January 6, 2022. 

Note: Course completion does not authorize the learner to use skills outside their scope. Please refer to your state guidelines for determining scope of care.

For information regarding our refund policy and other Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to our FAQ. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].

Course curriculum

  • 01
    1 Introduction and Review of Existing Research
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    • 1.1 Introduction and Overview
    • 1.2 A Systematic Review of Previous Research
    • (Article) Weighing the facts: A systematic review of expected patterns of weight loss in full-term, breastfed infants.
  • 02
    2 Challenging Expected Patterns of Weight Loss in Full-Term Breastfeeding Neonates Born by Cesarean
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    • 2.1 Study Design and Demographics
    • 2.2 Findings & Limitations
    • (Article) Challenging Expected Patterns of Weight Loss in Full-Term Breastfeeding Neonates Born by Cesarean - in course viewer
    • (Article) Challenging Expected Patterns of Weight Loss in Full-Term Breastfeeding Neonates Born by Cesarean - direct link version
  • 03
    3 Neonatal Weight Matters: An examination of weight changes in full-term breastfeeding newborns during the first two weeks of life.
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    • 3.1 Study Design and Demographics
    • 3.2 Findings and Limitations
    • (Article) Neonatal Weight Matters: An examination of weight changes in full-term breastfeeding newborns during the first two weeks of life.
  • 04
    4 Conclusion, Post-test, and CE Certificate
    Show details
    • 4.1 Conclusion and Next Steps
    • Course Evaluation
    • Post-test

  • Instructor

    Instructor Bio:

    Her recent prospective study examined weight changes in full-term breastfed newborns during the first two weeks of life, and was awarded the Journal of Human Lactation’s 2019 Best Research Article with A Practice Focus Award. Dr. DiTomasso teaches the maternal child health nursing course, and other undergraduate and graduate level courses at the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing. Prior to her scholarly work, Dr. DiTomasso had almost 27 years experience as an obstetrical nurse, and 15 years as a lactation consultant.

    Diane DiTomasso

    PhD, RN

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Reviews

  • By Jennifer Barr

    “This course is a reminder of how intervening in the early postpartum can have beneficial and non-beneficial impacts when it comes to newborn weight loss.”

    “This course is a reminder of how intervening in the early postpartum can have beneficial and non-beneficial impacts when it comes to newborn weight loss.”

    →Read Less

  • By Amy E Magee

    “Information was informative and useful for my practice”

    “Information was informative and useful for my practice”

    →Read Less