My experiences in a city hospital with @ 4000 births a year:

#1 reason for supplementation in this hospital is maternal request (sometimes the baby's father or other family pressure or influence the mother in this regard). Our staff is very consistent about offering breastfeeding support, encouragement and offering assistance?and education before providing formula to a mother. The reason for the use formula is documented, and the volume (which the staff teaches about as well....but 60 ml formula bottles don't help....).

As for the reason for the requests?I would narrow it down to:

Misperception that use of formula is benign.
Misperception regarding normal feeding frequency and normal feed volumes (baby's eating often and therefore not getting enough).

Michelle



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