Final answer:
A healthy diaper count for a newborn is 6-8 wet diapers per day, indicating proper hydration and kidney function. It's also a critical factor in assessing infant health and development, and deviations may require medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The healthy diaper count for a newborn is commonly considered to be 6-8 wet diapers per day. This indicates that the baby is getting enough fluids and that their kidneys are functioning properly. A higher or lower count may require medical attention to ensure there are no underlying issues. Monitoring diaper count is essential as part of tracking a newborn's health in the first few weeks.
During the first week of life, it's normal for a newborn to lose a small percentage of their birth weight, but after that period, a healthy baby should start gaining weight. If a baby's diaper count is considerably less than 6-8 wet diapers per day, this could be a sign that the baby is not feeding well or not absorbing nutrients properly, which could contribute to insufficient weight gain.