Patricia, I've read that babies have 10 ADH hormone at birth which is the
water sparing hormone so they do fine without any feeding the first 24-48
hours with no dehydration.  Their kidneys are immature and do not process
as rapidly at first either.   The weight loss that most babies experience
is mostly due to not being at the breast when they need to be during the
first 48 hours.   An interesting study would be to keep some babies in
bed--really near the breasts for the first 48 hours and keep the others  on
the usual hospital routine.  Wonder how much loss there would be then?
   Just some thoughts.
Michelle Scott, RD,MA,IBCLC in NH

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From:   Patricia B. Drazin, IBCLC[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Sunday, October 12, 1997 9:04 AM
Subject:        Re: time til first feed:

Question:

  local hospital lc is stuggling with the issue of how long a baby can go
without a feed... is there any research out there? what are other
hospital's
uising as a guidleline?

      thank you,

         Patricia