Use of supplementation for breast-fed neonates in the maternity ward

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate our practices regarding the use of supplementation for breast-fed neonates. Methods. A descriptive and prospective study conducted between 22/05/2010 and 23/03/2010 comprising breast-fed, healthy, singleton infants at the Maternity University Hospital of Tours. Indications for supplementation were collected prospectively by paramedics. Results. The study included 281 breast-fed neonates, of whom 99 (35 To) received supplementation. Supplemented neonates were more often children of primiparae (61.6% versus 44%; P = 0.005), or born to mothers without experience of breast-feeding (69.7% versus 48.9%; P = 0.001), born by cesarean section (21.2% versus 10.4%; P = 0.01), or were small for gestational age (10.1 % versus 6.6%; P = 0.003). The main indications were: to prevent additional weight loss, hunger of the newborn, hypoglycemia, and difficulty to breast-feed. Twenty-nine percent of the neonates were given supplements without medical indication. Conclusion. One third of breast-fed infants receive supplementation, not always medically justified. A better understanding of medical indications would avoid supplementation being given to breast-fed infants. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.