Supplementation of breastfeeding infants and weight loss in hospital.

Charts were reviewed to determine the frequency of glucose water supplementation of breastfed babies during their hospital stay and to discover if glucose water supplementation affected weight loss. Babies who received glucose water supplementation lost more weight and stayed in hospital longer than babies who did not receive supplementation. These findings were statistically significant. Routine supplementation with glucose water is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the baby. Stopping this practice may increase the mother's milk supply, increase her confidence in the adequacy of her supply and decrease the length of hospital stay.