Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam 2025 - Free Lactation Consultant Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the first few days postpartum, it is common for infants to experience some weight loss, and one of the significant factors contributing to this phenomenon is the use of labor medications. Medications administered during labor, such as epidurals or narcotics, can temporarily affect the infant's alertness and ability to properly latch and feed effectively immediately after birth. This can result in the infant not receiving sufficient breast milk during the critical early feeding sessions, leading to a greater proportion of weight loss.

Additionally, newborns typically experience a physiological weight loss of around 5-10% in the first few days, as a natural adjustment to life outside the womb. This weight loss is often temporary and part of normal infant development, particularly when their intake is initially being established. Understanding the impact of labor medications on the infant's feeding behavior helps healthcare providers support new mothers in optimizing breastfeeding practices during those early days.