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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 which is within 48 to 72 hours after discharge from the
hospital (
AAP Breastfeeding, 2012
). The infant should be seen again at 2-3
weeks of age to monitor weight gain and breastfeeding and to provide
continued support and encouragement for breastfeeding to the mother.
Guidelines for Hospital Discharge of the Breastfeeding Term Newborn and Mother
"The Going Home Protocol"
have been developed by physician members of the
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
.
Peripartum Breastfeeding Management for the Healthy Mother and infant at Term
has been developed by physician members of the
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
.
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