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ARTICLE: Kathryn G. Dewey, Laurie A. Nommsen-Rivers, M. Jane Heinig, and Roberta J. Cohen Risk Factors for Suboptimal Infant Breastfeeding Behavior, Delayed Onset of Lactation, and Excess Neonatal Weight Loss Pediatrics 2003; 112: 607-619 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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eLetters published:

What are the dangers of breastfeeding?

Michael L Moritz   (10 October 2003)

Response to Moritz regarding weight loss of breastfed infants

Kathryn G. Dewey, Laurie Nommsen-Rivers, Roberta Cohen and M. Jane Heinig   (19 November 2003)

What are the dangers of breastfeeding? 10 October 2003
Michael L Moritz, Pediatric Nephrologist Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Send letter to journal: Re: What are the dangers of breastfeeding? moriml{at}chp.edu Michael L Moritz	I read with interest the detailed article by Dewey et al documenting the difficulties in initiating breastfeeding during the first week of life. In this report they noted that over 12% of breastfed infants had greater than10% weight loss by the third day of life. There was no mention though of breastfeeding complications requiring hospitalization, phototherapy or supplemental infant formula. I would appreciate if the authors would provide additional data regarding re-hospitalization of infants during the first week of life, the need for phototherapy, supplemental infant formula, and what interventions were taken when infant weight loss exceeded 10% of birth weight.
Response to Moritz regarding weight loss of breastfed infants 19 November 2003
Kathryn G. Dewey, Professor Univ of California, Davis, Laurie Nommsen-Rivers, Roberta Cohen and M. Jane Heinig Send letter to journal: Re: Response to Moritz regarding weight loss of breastfed infants kgdewey{at}ucdavis.edu Kathryn G. Dewey, et al.	In response to the letter by Dr. Michael Moritz, we can provide the following additional information about the infants in our study (Risk Factors for Suboptimal Infant Breastfeeding Behavior, Delayed Onset of Lactation, and Excess Neonatal Weight Loss. Pediatrics 2003; 112: 607- 619). In all cases in which the infant had a weight loss greater than or equal to 10% of birth weight, both the mother and the infant's health care provider were notified. Our lactation consultants worked with the mother and the health care provider to evaluate the situation and assist in correcting whatever problems were evident with regard to infant latch or other breastfeeding difficulties. In some cases, supplemental infant formula was used (usually temporarily). This is the topic of a separate manuscript, currently in preparation. We do not have data on how many infants needed phototherapy. Only one infant was re-admitted to the hospital. This infant was jaundiced and had lost 11% of birth weight, and was re-admitted on day 3.