In response to Laurie Wheeler's post to LACTNET regarding feeding
protocols for BF infants at her hospital, I felt I should write.  Many
years ago- - more than ten - - there was a controlled study that proved
that BF infants who were supplemented with water actually had higher
bilirubins and required more time to get down to normal levels.  I think
I remember the theory given was that water actually diluted the action
of the breastmilk and bacteria in the gut as bilirubin was being broken
down and excreted.  This may have been around 1989-90.  I remember
because the hospital I worked at had a similar policy and the Pediatrics
Committee took the message to heart and we stopped giving water after
BF.  The Ross salesman had to remove cases of outdated water from the
warehouse and found out what we were doing.  He arranged a gift to the
'education fund' for the pediatric residents in exchange for water being
placed in the cribs in case a mother wanted to use it, even though we
were telling them it was unnecessary and potentially detrimental!  So
beware of the pitfalls of doing good work.

Diane Perrone, RNC,BS
Materna Wellborn
Algonquin  IL  USA

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