I am completely against using "percentages" as a way of deciding if a baby is nursing well.  In
the first place, even electronic scales are not *that* accurate.  Secondly, this brings us to a
pseudo-scientific approach to managing breastfeeding, and results in *unnecessary*
supplementation.

The issue is "Is the baby breastfeeding well?"  If he is, he will gain back the weight, even if he
loses 10% or more.  And if the baby is *not* getting milk from the breast (open--pause--close
type of sucking) will not gain even if the scales show he loses less than 5%.

If the baby is not nursing well, fix the nursing and follow closely.  If the baby is nursing well,
he'll be alright, but follow closely.

I have lots of patients whose babies were below birthweight at 2 weeks, some quite a bit.  We
fix the breastfeeding, and the baby starts to gain.  No supplements are suggested or given in a
majority.

A plea to get away from percentages.  Help!

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC