Promotion of breast feeding: effect on neonates of change of feeding routine at a maternity unit.

The effect on the health of neonates of a change in neonatal routine care, including general rooming-in, breast feeding on demand and avoidance of supplementary bottle feeding was studied in conjunction to a breast feeding campaign at a maternity unit. There was an accentuated weight loss in the neonatal period during ad libitum breast feeding. The mean serum bilirubin of clinically jaundiced infants was slightly higher on a 4-hourly feeding schedule with supplementary bottles than on the new regimen. There was a similar high (32-33%) incidence of bilirubin levels greater than 205 mumol/l (12 mg/100 ml) in both groups. The incidence of spontaneous hypoglycaemia did not differ in the two groups. The new feeding regimen was thus considered safe. Infants at risk for hypoglycaemia were given supplementary bottles and were excluded from the study.