Abstract
BackgroundThe definition for lower limit of safe birthweight loss among exclusively breastfed neonates is arbitrary. Despite this, in cases of great in-hospital weight loss, breastfeeding adequacy is immediately questioned. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between weight loss at discharge from hospital, when babies are ready to go home, and eventual cessation of exclusive breastfeeding since birth.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a cohort study. Study participants were 788 full term, breastfed and stable babies, born in 2007–2012 consecutively enrolled to primary care pediatric clinics in Majorca, Spain. Data were collected by chart review. The main predictor was birthweight loss at discharge. Extreme weight loss was defined as the 90th and 95th centiles of birthweight loss for babies who were delivered by vaginal delivery and by cesarean section. Main outcomes were cessation of exclusive breastfeeding by 7, 15, 30 and 100 days of life. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to study the relationship of selected variables with exclusive breastfeeding cessation since birth.ResultsWe observed a median weight loss of 6%. In bivariate analysis, quartiles of birthweight loss at discharge were predictive of exclusive breastfeeding cessation at 15, 30 and 100 days postpartum. In multivariate analysis: in-hospital weight loss above the median did predict exclusive breastfeeding cessation by 15, 30 and 100 days of life, Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) (95% Confidence Intervals [CIs]): 1.57 (1.12, 2.19), 1.73 (1.26, 2.38) and 1.69 (1.25, 2.29), respectively. In contrast, we did not find that newborn extreme weight losses were associated with exclusive breastfeeding cessation.ConclusionsWe report that extreme birthweight loss does not trigger immediate formula supplementation. We do not identify any cut-off values to be used as predictors for the initiation of supplementary feeding, this research question remains unanswered.
Highlights
The definition for lower limit of safe birthweight loss among exclusively breastfed neonates is arbitrary
This study describes how different degrees of birthweight loss predicts giving up exclusive breastfeeding in the short and in the medium term among breastfed term neonates cared for in a setting devoted to supporting breastfeeding
Selection criteria and setting We explored the relationship of common clinical variables and exclusive breastfeeding recorded during the hospital stay with cessation of exclusive breastfeeding from day one until day 100 of life
Summary
The definition for lower limit of safe birthweight loss among exclusively breastfed neonates is arbitrary. Weight charts to identify infants who need breastfeeding support have been recently developed [9]. They cannot be used to project individual weight changes in neonates. To keep on exclusive breastfeeding in the setting of adequate weight gain for a number of weeks is an obvious indicator of breastfeeding adequacy, but previous research has scarcely studied breastfeeding outcomes beyond hospital discharge on babies that have suffered substantial birthweight loss [4, 12]. This study describes how different degrees of birthweight loss predicts giving up exclusive breastfeeding in the short and in the medium term among breastfed term neonates cared for in a setting devoted to supporting breastfeeding
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
