Feeding method and rehospitalization in newborns less than 1 month of age

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between feeding method and hospitalization in a group of newborns under 1 month of age. Design: Retrospective chart review based on admission diagnoses. Setting: Academic Medical Center and Tertiary Children's Hospital in the same northwest city. Patients: 143 newborns divided into three groups based on feeding method at hospital admission: breastfed, bottle-fed, and breastfed with supplements. Results: A nearly equal number of males and females who were just as likely to be first born as later born experienced a mean weight loss of 8.5% and were hospitalized an average of 4.4 days. The breastfed and supplemented newborns were younger and experienced greater weight loss, and the majority had no positive findings with the diagnostic workups. They responded quickly to increased caloric intake. The bottle-fed newborns had a higher incidence of positive diagnostic results and a longer hospital stay. Conclusions: The results of this study support the observation that many healthy but hungry breastfed newborns are being hospitalized. Other than breastfeeding difficulties, most newborns had few problems beyond hyperbilirubinemia, which may be exacerbated by inadequate feeding. The monetary and psychological costs of unnecessary hospitalizations and the potential for early discontinuation of breastfeeding may be preventable.