Failure to thrive in the contented breast-fed baby.

This paper describes nine babies who appeared contented yet failed to thrive while being exclusively breast-fed. In each case the mother felt that her child was satisfied with the feedings. Following appropriate management all the infants were above the 80th percentile for both weight and weight for length. Five infants had achieved 110% to 120% and three more than 120% of the expected weight for length. This tendency to become overweight might be explained by inactivity or a defect in appetite control.