Possible conservation-withdrawal reaction in two infants

Two breast-fed infants with weight loss are described. Despite their mothers' assertions that their breast-feeding was adequate, the infants gained weight rapidly on complementary feeding and became more responsive. Previously they had rather passively accepted suboptimal intakes, crying little and sleeping excessively. Discussion centers on whether these infants illustrated the conservation-withdrawal state, since apart from their poor weight gains, they were otherwise well.