Weight gain in partially breast fed infants after switch to exclusive breastfeeding

ABSTRACT

Partial breast feeding adding herbal drinks and/ or formula using the bottle and/ or the pacifier usually causes nipple confusion. It also decreases demand on the breast leading to gradual decrease in maternal milk supply. The aim of the present work was to explore the effect of switch from partial breast feeding to exclusive breast feeding on the weight gain of partially breast fed infants and the impact of age at presentation, sore nipples and the use of supplements on infant weight. Eighty four, full term infants taking herbal drinks and/ or milk by bottle with or without pacifier were evaluated at presentation regarding their presenting weights and weight for age percentiles using the Egyptian Growth Charts. Their mothers' presenting breast conditions and milk flow were also evaluated. They were successfully switched to exclusive breast feeding using a dual protocol developed for the management of nipple confusion hand in hand with rebuilding the maternal milk supply. Their weight gain and percentiles were taken after one month of switch to exclusive breastfeeding and were compared with the presenting weights and percentiles. These wore correlated with the presence of sore nipples, the use of herbals, milk formula, and the age of presentation. The mean weight after one month of switch to exclusive breast feeding was very significantly increased [p=< 0.001]. The percentiles of weight for age were also very significantly higher after one month of exclusive breast feeding [p=< 0.001]. The difference between the mean weight for age percentiles of the infants whose mothers suffered from sore nipples was significantly lower than those of the infants whose mothers did not suffer from sore nipples [P-0.006].], The age of presentation had a significant inverse correlation with the percentile difference [p=0.016]. It appears that switch to exclusive breast feeding is possible, and it has a great effect on the weight gain of infants