In a message dated 11/6/00 9:35:27 PM, Jan writes:

<< the babies that are breastfeeding fewer than 8x/24 hours
(with some rare exceptions) and/or have fewer than 3-4 poopy diapers in 24
hours in the first few weeks are generally the babies that aren't gaining
well.  >>

Dear Jan, I agree wholeheartedly and share in your disdain for the timing and
recording of feedings. It elicits such strong feelings because in my area
every new mother is told to do this, I think it is the one CONSISTENT piece
of brfdng info. they get!
 In regards to the above statement, I think we have to be careful. While I
think if you were to take a large enough sample of babies qualified as  poor
gainers, feeding < 8x/24hrs may be a common finding BUT given a sample of
great gainers, you might find many that feed that infrequently as well. I
don't believe that it is a "predictor" of poor weight gain but can certainly
be a "factor". As LCs, we get calls from the Moms whose babies aren't doing
well (generally speaking) not from the Moms whose babies are gaining huge
amounts on 6-8 fds/ per day. They are out there. When I worked as a hospital
based LC, I did receive many calls per month from Moms and Dads concerned by
their baby feeding much less frequently once the milk "became more  abundant"
, feeling unprepared for this change and unable to evaluate feeding
effectiveness becuase their tool to do this was limited to tracking feeding
length and frequency!
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

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