Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate

Publication Date: May 1, 2017
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Step 1. Prevent the need for supplementation

There is mixed, but mainly positive, evidence about the role of antenatal education and in-hospital support on the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. (I, )
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All staff who care for postpartum women should be able to assist and assess breastfeeding infants, especially when other staff with expertise are not available. (, )
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Both mothers and healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks of unnecessary supplementation. (, )
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Healthy infants should be placed skin-to-skin with the mother, if she is awake and alert, immediately after birth to facilitate breastfeeding. (I, )
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The delay in time between birth and initiation of the first breastfeed is a strong predictor of infant formula use and may affect future milk supply.

(, )

(II-3, II-2, II-3)

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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate

Authoring Organization

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

Publication Month/Year

May 1, 2017

Last Updated Month/Year

April 13, 2023

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Promote exclusive breastfeeding for mothers who delievered healthy-term neonates. 

Target Patient Population

Mothers who have a healthy term neonates

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adult, Infant

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Childcare center, Home health, Hospital, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse midwife, nurse, medical assistant, dietician nutritionist, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Counseling, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D001942 - Breast Feeding, D007225 - Infant Food, D000068104 - Infant Health, D019587 - Dietary Supplements, D041943 - Infant Formula, D007228 - Infant Nutrition Disorders

Keywords

Breastfeeding, Supplementary feeding, Complementary feedings, Exclusive breastfeeding

Source Citation

Kellams, A., Harrel, C., Omage, S., Gregory, C., & Rosen-Carole, C. (2017). ABM Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate, Revised 2017. Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(4), 188–198. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29038.ajk 

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement