Breast feeding and serum bilirubin values during the first 4 days of life

Abstract

One hundred ninety-nine breast-fed and bottle-fed infants were studied for the first 4 days of life to determine if breast feeding and hyperbilirubinemia were related, and to see if altering the standard hospital breast-feeding regimen would affect bilirubin levels. Breast feeding did not results in increased serum bilirubin concentrations. Regardless of feeding regimen, breast- and bottle-fed groups had similar mean bilirubin values, and a similar low incidence of hyperbilirubinemia. Incidental findings included an 8 per cent mean weight loss in infants who were breast fed without supplements, compared to a 4 per cent weight loss in all other infants. Hyperbilirubinemia was not related to weight loss.