Blogging for Babies, Breastfeeding and Mothers

Doctors in the UK and Irish Republic are launching the first study to establish how many breastfed babies become seriously dehydrated because of ineffective breastfeeding-failure to drink enough milk in the first few days.

The number of dehydrated newborns readmitted to hospitals is possibly on the rise as more mothers choose to breastfeed. The problem does not lie with breastfeeding per se, but with lack of education, support and proper management after the mothers and babies are discharged from the hospital post delivery. 

Many mothers in the US are leaving the hospital in 48 hours and not having the baby weighed again until 5-7 days later. It only takes one day of a baby not really drinking while breastfeeding to start a downward spiral. When the baby is not taking in enough fluid and calories, she will not have enough energy to feed well. She will quickly become dehydrated. A mother may think her baby is sucking but many of us have been fooled by what appears to be drinking.

What is the solution to this growing problem? Education and scheduled lactation consultations with weight checks. We see the mother and baby within 24 hours of discharge and then every 1-2 days until baby is gaining well and mother is producing plenty of milk. This is the best way to know for sure that the baby is drinking well.

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