The Journal of Human Lactation has published a study that has sought to find out if there is a relationship between the feeding mode of neonates and their weight loss In the first days of life.
The conclusion has been quite clear, there is no relationship between the mode of feeding of infants (breastfeeding or artificial breastfeeding) and the percentage of weight loss that is usually found during the first days of life. That is to say, breastfeeding in newborns is not related to increased neonatal physiological weight loss.
To carry out the study, 1003 infants born in the maternity hospital "Burlo Garofolo" (Trieste, Italy) were followed up. They analyzed the neonatal physiological weight loss during the hospital stay taking into account variables such as diet and gestational age or birth weight. Hospital admissions during the first month of life of babies due to weight loss and its complications were also taken into account.
The absolute weight loss was between 228 and 83 grams, the average being between 2.2% and 6%. 6% of babies lost more than 10% of their weight and 0.3% more than 12% of their weight at birth.
The weight loss did not depend on whether the baby drank breast milk or artificial milk, and, only, it was found that there was greater percentage weight loss in infants of low gestational age but also independent of the way of feeding. Dehydration income was 0.3% and there was no relationship with the type of food either.
The conclusion of the study is that breastfeeding is not related to greater physiological weight loss in neonatesAt least not when regular weighing is carried out and the mother is offered adequate breastfeeding advice, detecting problems that may require supplementation on time.
