pediatrics
Breastfeeding
Infant Breastfeeding Complications
The primary complication is underfeeding, which may lead to dehydration and Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia . Risk factors for underfeeding include small or A rough assessment of feeding adequacy can be made by daily diaper counts. By age 5 days, a normal neonate wets at least 6 diapers/day and soils at least 4 diapers/day; lower numbers suggest underhydration and undernutrition. Also, stools should have changed from dark meconium at birth to light brown and then yellow. Weight is also a reasonable parameter to follow (see Feeding Problems ); not attaining growth landmarks suggests undernutrition. Constant fussiness before age 6 weeks (when Dehydration in Children should be suspected if vigor of the infant’s cry decreases or skin becomes turgid; lethargy and sleepiness are extreme signs of dehydration and should prompt testing for 