The effect of breast-feeding frequency on serum bilirubin levels.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of breast-feeding frequency on serum bilirubin levels in the first 3 days after birth.


METHODS
Two hundred seventy-five infants were randomly assigned to a frequent or demand breast-feeding schedule.


RESULTS
Infants in the frequent group (n = 131) nursed nine (7.5 to 10.5) times per day (median and inner 80%), and the demand group (n = 143) fed 6.5 (5.5 to 8.0) times per day. The serum bilirubin level was measured in all infants between 48 and 80 hours (median 53 hours, inner 80% 48 to 68 hours) and was 7.4 (1.8 to 10.7) mg/dl in the frequent group and 8.0 (2.9 to 11.2) mg/dl in the demand group (p = 0.103). There was no correlation between the frequency of breast-feeding and the serum bilirubin level.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the range of the frequency of nursing observed in this study, we could not demonstrate a significant effect on serum bilirubin levels in the first 3 days after birth.
Maisels
M J
MJ
Department of Pediatrics, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073.
Vain
N
N
Acquavita
A M
AM
de Blanco
N V
NV
Cohen
A
A
DiGregorio
J
J
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000517:prevention & control
D001663:Bilirubin