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Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is thought to be the best way to establish and promote breastfeeding success. But maternal concern about poor milk supply, especially during the newborn period, might lead to lower breastfeeding rates. To address this concern, California researchers undertook a pilot study of “early limited formula” (ELF) in 40 term newborns (ages, 24 to 48 hours) with 5% to 9% weight loss since birth.
The infants were randomized to exclusive breastfeeding (control group) or supplementation by syringe with 10 mL of an extensively hydrolyzed formula after each breastfeeding, until mature milk production began (usually by 3 days of age). Most (62%) enrolled mothers had planned to breastfeed exclusively.
At age 1 week, exclusiv…