Dori noted, << More and more I hear that 7 to 8% is a dangerous weight loss. My brain is not functioning too well these days (I think that it may be related to the hot flashes I've been getting) but I remember hearing at ILCA that the 10% that we accepted in the past was really way too much - by that time the baby was in crisis, I just can't seem to remember who it was that made the statement. IF the baby is eating well (and as frequently as needed) then the weight loss will not be that much. >> Is anyone looking at the baby????? How much fluid did the mother get in labor? Did she receive Pitocin AT ANY TIME while she was in labor? If so, it got into the baby. If it got into the baby, it has the same effect on the baby as it does on the mother -- it acts as an anti-diuretic -- therefore, baby retains fluid. Does anyone look at how often the baby pees the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, and THEN figure the percentage of weight loss -- or are they just looking at the scale and panicking because -- "Oh my goodness!! This baby is down 9%!!! SUPPLEMENT! because OBVIOUSLY the mother's milk supply is inadequate." Were babies born w/ an excess of fluid anyway? Are they expelling large amount of meconium? WHo determined the numbers? While 7% of birth weight MIGHT be a problem in an infant who is neither peeing or pooping -- is it a problem in a baby who is doing copious amounts of both??? Why are we looking at every baby as a cipher -- numbers that can be manipulated one way or another. "Baby MUST have 37 ml/feed. This ac/pc weight (on day 2) showed he only got 18 ml at this feed. Therefore supplement w/ 19 ml formula so he gets the right amount -- at every feeding, of course, because we all know that if the baby only took 18 ml at THIS feed, it's obvious that's all he's taking at EVERY feed." (I hope you know that was tongue firmly planted in cheek.). I'm really, really, REALLLLLLLY tired of the RULES!!! Wake the baby every two hours....feed on 10 minutes each side....no, make that 15.....oops, make that 20....don't eat broccoli.....the breast is 80% empty in 5 minutes....don't let the baby use you as a pacifier....only breastfeed every three hours....let the baby cry it out....he needs to learn to get to sleep on his own....don't ever, ever cosleep.....don't eat spicy foods....wear a bra or your breasts will droop....the milk turns to water after (pick one) 3 months....6 months....9 months....1 year....you are only breastfeeding your 15 month old for your own self gratification.... Jan -- still seething in Wheaton. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html