Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate

Publication Date: May 1, 2017
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Step 1. Prevent the need for supplementation

There is mixed, but mainly positive, evidence about the role of antenatal education and in-hospital support on the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. (I, )
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All staff who care for postpartum women should be able to assist and assess breastfeeding infants, especially when other staff with expertise are not available. (, )
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Both mothers and healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks of unnecessary supplementation. (, )
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Healthy infants should be placed skin-to-skin with the mother, if she is awake and alert, immediately after birth to facilitate breastfeeding. (I, )
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The delay in time between birth and initiation of the first breastfeed is a strong predictor of infant formula use and may affect future milk supply.

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(II-3, II-2, II-3)

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Overview

Title

Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate

Authoring Organization

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine