New and experienced breastfeeding mother's often worry about infant nutrition when their milk supply is delayed. Producing milk is based on demand from a hungry suckling baby. There is a normal, temporary lag from baby's demand to mother's milk production. This natural delay causes newborns to lose weight.

Newborn weight loss is expected in the first 5-7 days of life, which can range from 5-10% of their birth weight. Most babies should regain this lost weight by days 10-14 of life. Newborn weight loss is slightly higher among breastfed newborns compared to formula-fed infants.

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that newborns with a supplemental 10 ml of formula AFTER breastfeeding meals during the first 2-7 days of life, received the same benefits as breast-fed only infants without risks of extreme weight loss and dehydration. Formula supplement was discontinued when mother's milk came in. Infants successfully transitioned to breast only meals without infant bottle-favoring behavior.

KEY POINTS include: 1) Only 10 ml of formula AFTER breastfeeding; and 2) Discontinue formula when milk comes in, if desired.

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