Problem-Solving Formula for Failure to Thrive in Breast-fed Infants

Failure to thrive and insufficient milk are common reasons given for terminating breast-feeding early. Mothers often doubt their natural ability to successfully suckle a young infant. This perceived inadequacy may be reinforced by health professionals who advise supplemental formula feeds to ensure rapid weight gain before an accurate diagnosis has been made. The growth of healthy infants depends on maternal milk production, milk transfer at the breasts, and the quantity and quality of milk intake by the baby. Problems with any one of these areas can present as failure to thrive. The author focuses on a diagnostic approach to failure to thrive in a breast-fed infant and outlines ways to assess maternal lactation ability, milk production, milk transfer, and milk intake. The diagnosis of failure to thrive is often simple and follows sound physiological and anatomical principles.