Differentiating Normal Newborn Weight Loss From Breastfeeding Failure

There is increasing concern for the risk of hypernatremic dehydration in infants breastfeeding poorly. It is important to differentiate normal weight changes as infants adapt to extrauterine life from excessive weight loss from breastfeeding failure or mismanagement. We review recent data on normal weight changes in exclusively breastfeeding infants and those at risk for hypernatremic dehydration to help health professionals determine when infants require further scrutiny and supplementation. The data suggest that perinatal practices influence infant weight changes. Protecting normal birth and early initiation of breastfeeding should reduce the incidence of excessive weight loss and risk of hypernatremic dehydration

Newborn Weight Loss During Birth Hospitalization and Breastfeeding Outcomes Through Age 1 Month

Background: Weight loss is universal for exclusively breastfed newborns in the first few days after birth. Many newborns exclusively breastfed during birth hospitalization receive formula in the first month after discharge and thus cease exclusive breastfeeding. However, the relationship between early weight loss and subsequent cessation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding is unknown. Research aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between newborn weight loss and duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding among newborns breastfed exclusively during the birth hospitalization. Methods: Retrospective cohort study at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals between 2009 and 2013. The main predictor variable was weight loss during birth hospitalization. The main outcomes were cessation of breastfeeding and cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 25 days after discharge. Results: Among our sample, 83,344 were exclusively breastfed during birth hospitalization. At 25 days after discharge, 15.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [14.6%, 16.6%], of those delivered vaginally and 17.6%, 95% CI [14.5%, 20.6%], of those delivered by cesarean section were estimated to have completely ceased breastfeeding; 57.0%, 95% CI [55.5%, 58.4%], and 57.9%, 95% CI [53.6%, 61.8%], respectively, had ceased exclusive breastfeeding. Survival curves depicting rates of breastfeeding cessation through 1 month did not differ by degree of weight loss or by weight loss trajectory. However, curves depicting rates of exclusive breastfeeding demonstrated significantly more formula use among those with more weight loss at discharge. Conclusion: Among those exclusively breastfed during birth hospitalization, weight loss nomograms may help identify newborns at higher risk of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Lactation support targeted to those with exacerbated weight loss trajectories may improve duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

The Healthy Newborn Hydration Model

The normal small volume of breast milk produced in the first 2 days following birth may raise concerns about adequate hydration in breast-fed newborns. These concerns are further magnified when breast-fed infants lose ≥7% of their birth weight within 2 days postnatally. Weight loss following birth is presumably mostly water loss that could result in hypohydration and subsequent hypernatremic dehydration. However, excess fluid loss immediately following birth is a normal and necessary process. Furthermore, newborns exposed to excess fluid intake during labor may need to lose ≥7% of birth weight in the first 2 days following birth in order to achieve euhydration. Normal newborn fluid loss following birth confounds the use of weight loss as the sole measure of newborn hydration. We thus propose the healthy newborn hydration model that highlights the normalcy of newborn weight loss immediately following birth and the healthy newborn’s compensatory mechanisms for preserving adequate hydration. We also recommend the use of serum sodium to measure intravascular osmolarity in addition to monitoring weight loss to obtain a more comprehensive newborn hydration assessment. Research is necessary in healthy newborns to identify relationships among fluids received in utero, newborn weight loss, and hydration, as evaluated with laboratory measures, in the first 2 days following birth. This information will guide clinicians in correctly identifying newborns with inadequate hydration who are in need of supplementary fluids versus newborns with adequate hydration for whom exclusive breast-feeding can be supported and encouraged.