Cyanne,
       I like to use the article which appeared in PEDIATRICS Vol 91 No 2 Feb
1993 By Martinez. MD and Maisels. MD et.al titled "Hyperbilirubinemia in the
Breast-fed Newborn: A Controlled Trial of Four Interventions."  First
intervention group is continue breastfeeding and observe; second is d/c
breastfeeding and substitute formula, third is d/c breastfeeding, substitute
formula and administer  phototherapy, fourth is continue breastfeeding,
administer phototherapy.  "Treatment failure" was half of what they anticipated
in group 1, and the authors state: " It is clear, nevertheless, that the
majority of infants require no intervention and can safely be observed."  The
discussion ends with this statement:  "As pediatricians, we should do everything
in our power to encourage breastfeeding.  One way of doing this is to encourage
mothers of jaundiced infants to continue nursing."

Diane Bechtel, IBCLC
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