I just read the summary of the new study, Excess weight loss in  
first-born breastfed newborns relates to maternal intrapartum fluid  
balance. This is an important study, providing valuable evidence for  
an issue that many of us in the field have been concerned about for a  
long time. The suggestion that the excess weight loss may be due to  
excess fluids taken in by mother and therefore also baby in labor  
makes a lot of sense to me.
Another thought occurred to me as well. Where did the 10% weight loss  
cut off originate? If it originated at a time when most babies were  
formula fed from birth, is it possible that different weight loss  
patterns are normal among breastfed babies? For example, I had always  
assumed that some fraction of the weight loss was also meconium which  
may be affected by feeding method. In general, of course, human milk  
is digested differently than formula, so there may be other factors as  
well.
Thoughts? Does anyone know of any research on the 10% weight loss rule  
or its history.

Happy New Year to all,

Naomi

------------------------------------------
Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mothers' Milk Bank of New England

[log in to unmask]
617-527-6263
www.milkbankne.org
------------------------------------------








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