I did not get a confirmation for my previous post on this topic, so I
will try again.

The stuff on water intoxication is indeed scary stuff.  But this is
never considered a side effect of artificial feeding, is it?

As far as supplementing the baby with weight loss and urates, I would
use abm if nothing better is available (ebm).  The baby does need more
than just extra water, and giving only extra water may lower his serum
sodium too quickly.  By five days, I think thinks like sugar water or
oral rehydrating solutions are not good enough, although many babies
would do fine.  Babies are very adaptable, and often have tremendous
reserve, but there is a limit to adaptability.

Of course, the supplement should be given with a lactation aid as the
first choice of supplementing method.

Sorry about using AJDC, but I was fairly sure a librarian would be
able to help with that.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC