title: Breast-feeding frequency during the first 24 hours after birth in full-term neonates.
abstract: The relation between the frequency of breast-feeding and intake, weight loss, meconium passage, and bilirubin levels was studied in 140 healthy, full-term, breast-fed, Japanese neonates born vaginally without complications. Factors affecting the frequency of breast-feeding were also evaluated. Mothers nursed their neonates, on average, 4.3 +/- 2.5 (SD) times (range 0 to 11) during the first 24 hours after birth, and this frequency increased significantly to 7.4 +/- 3.9 times during the next 24 hours (P less than .001). There was a significant correlation between the frequency of breast-feeding during the first and second 24 hours after birth (r = .69, P less than .001). The frequency of breast-feeding during the first 24 hours correlated significantly with frequency of meconium passage (r = .37, P less than .01), maximum weight loss (r = -.22, P less than .05), breast milk intake on day 3 (r = .50, P less than .01) and day 5 (r = .34, P less than .05), transcutaneous bilirubin readings on day 6 (r = -.18, P less than .05), and weight loss from birth to time of discharge (day 7) (r = -.32, P less than .01). There was a strong dose-response relationship between feeding frequency and a decreased incidence of significant hyperbilirubinemia (transcutaneous bilirubin readings greater than or equal to 23.5) on day 6. The time of birth also affected the frequency of breast-feeding during the first 24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Okayama National Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yamanouchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008470:Meconium / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors