How long should a breastfed infant ideally return to their birth weight?

A breastfed infant should ideally return to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. This timeframe is consistent with the typical growth patterns observed in healthy, full-term infants. After birth, it is common for infants to lose a small percentage of their body weight, usually around 5-7%, in the first few days. By 2 weeks, most infants have adjusted to breastfeeding and are typically feeding adequately, which helps them regain their birth weight.

Returning to birth weight by this point is vital as it indicates that the infant is effectively transferring milk and receiving enough nutrition for healthy growth.

It’s worth noting that while infants may regain their birth weight earlier, such as by the end of the first week, this may not be the norm for all infants. Monitoring growth patterns beyond just weight, including looking at feeding behaviors, diaper output, and overall infant health, is crucial in assessing whether an infant is thriving with breastfeeding.