In the article on early limited formula supplementation to at-risk infants, the authors refer to their previously published retrospective cohort study in which a 5% weight loss in the first 36 hours was predictive for 10% weight loss during hospital stay. But I agree, the premise that a 5% weight loss should be the sign for initiating measures we perhaps ought to reserve for when weight loss actually gets to 10% is debatable. It is sort of like the fear of the number 25, which in the olden olden days was the upper acceptable limit for serum bilirubin. 25 got replaced by 20 gradually, because people started initiating measures to lower bilirubin as it *approached* the *limit*. Twenty was 'well on the way to 25'. Then, 18 was 'almost 20' and the merry-go-round could start spinning. Yikes. I haven't read that study, but I can, and will, probably tomorrow at work. Will be interested to see how many babies are in that one. I'm guessing there are more, since it seems likely it was done on existing data from patient records. Here is the reference: Flaherman VJ, Rokser S, Tewman TB. First-day newborn weight loss predictis in hospital weight nadir for breastfeeding infants. Breastfeeding Medicine 2010;5(4) 165-168. I want to reiterate that Valerie Flaherman is not an ignoramus about nor enemy of breastfeeding. We all work within a context. Her context is a US hospital and I don't mind admitting that we are just as hyperanxious here in Norway. 'Well, the baby has already lost almost 9% of birthweight so just in case, told mother to feed three-hourly and supplement with formula' even when the weight is from before lactogenesis 2. Sigh. It is outrageous that, as several people have mentioned, mothers are provided with formula in set amounts suitable for two week old babies, in BOTTLES. Sort of like giving someone in pain enough morphine for three or four days because you don't have it packaged in small enough ampules, and not informing them of how to dose it correctly. Rachel Myr Kristiansand, Norway *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome