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Breast milk production increases from the small amount of colostrum
that is produced in the first several days of life to the larger
amount of milk needed for the infant by 2 - 5 days of age. For more
information on this and on problems associated with this process,
review Milk Production.
Supplemental feedings of water, glucose water,
or formula should not be given
unless there is a medical reason
(See
The Term Infant with Problems).
Breastfeeding infants often continue to feed during the night
later into their first year than do infants fed formula.
Pinella showed that behavioral methods could help
8 week old breastfed infants sleep for a 5 hour period of time.
This did not result in decreased milk intake by the infants
(
Pinella, 1993
).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that: "All breastfeeding
newborn infants should be seen by a pediatrician or other
knowledgeable and experienced health care professional at 3 to 5 days
of age...", and that "Breastfeeding infants should have a second ambulatory
visit at 2 to 3 weeks of age so that the health care professional can
monitor weight gain and provide additional support and encouragement
to the mother during this critical period" (
AAP Breastfeeding, 2005
).
Guidelines for Hospital Discharge of the Breastfeeding Term Newborn
and Mother
have been developed by physician members of the
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
.
Guidelines for Peripartum Breastfeeding Management for the Healthy
Mother and Infant at Term
have been developed by physician members of the
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
.
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