|
DeCarvalho has shown that frequent feeding within the first two weeks
of life increases maternal milk supply.
In the study
women were randomized to a routine care group or a
group encouraged to "feed their baby frequently."
Some comparisons between the routine care group and the
group that was encouraged to "feed their baby frequently."
DeCarvalho, 1983
|
Routine Care
|
"Feed Frequently"
|
| Average # of feeds/day
|
7.3  1.4
|
10 1.9
|
| Total duration of breastfeeding/day
|
137 38 min.
|
138 50 min
|
| Milk output by 2 weeks of age
|
502 188 ml
|
725 171 ml
|
| Weight gain at 2 weeks of age
|
347 331 gm
|
560 186 gm
|
Frequent feeding (approximately ten times in 24 hours)
was associated with a 50% increase in milk supply at
two weeks of age as well as a significantly decreased number of
children with minimal or no weight gain
(
DeCarvalho, 1983
).
"All breastfeeding newborn infants should be seen by a pediatrician or
other knowledgeable and experienced health care professional at 3 - 5
days of age..." Infants should have a second outpatient visit at 2-3
weeks of age to monitor weight gain and breastfeeding
(
AAP Breastfeeding, 2005
).
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