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The effect of breast-feeding frequency on serum bilirubin levels
M J Maisels1, N Vain, A M Acquavita
1Department of Pediatrics, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073.
Objective:
Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of breast-feeding frequency on serum bilirubin levels in the first 3 days after birth.
Study Design:
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.
Conclusion:
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.