Neifert and Seacat identified findings that could indicate that a breastfed infant might have insufficient milk intake. The authors are from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Findings:
(1) Is the infant unable to latch onto the maternal nipple well?
(2) Is the suckling on the breast irregular or nonsustained?
(3) Does the infant fail to urinate adequately (no urine, only small amounts, diaper not wet) with each feeding?
(4) Does the infant pass < 5 large, seedy yellow stools each day during the first month?
(5) Does the infant fail to demand to nurse at least 8 times a day?
(6) Does the infant only take 1 breast at each feeding?
(7) Is there only minimal audible swallowing and gulping of milk while nursing?
(8) Does the infant nurse for less than 10 minutes per breast at each feeding?
(9) Does the infant cry, fuss or appear hungry after most feedings?
(10) Does the infant gain less than 1 ounce of weight per day?
|
Response |
Points |
|
no |
0 |
|
yes |
1 |
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
ability of infant to latch onto the maternal nipple well |
able |
0 |
|
|
unable |
1 |
|
suckling |
regular and sustained |
0 |
|
|
irregular or unsustained |
1 |
|
urination with each feeding |
diaper wet |
0 |
|
|
none, only small amount, diaper not wet |
1 |
|
number of large, seedy yellow stools passed each day during first month |
>= 5 per day |
0 |
|
|
< 5 per day |
1 |
|
number of times infant demands to be fed per day |
>= 8 times per day |
0 |
|
|
< 8 times per day |
1 |
|
suckle from both breasts at each feeding |
yes |
0 |
|
|
no |
1 |
|
audible swallowing and gulping at each feeding |
present |
0 |
|
|
absent |
1 |
|
number of minutes spent feeding on each breast at each feeding |
>= 10 minutes |
0 |
|
|
< 10 minutes |
1 |
|
crying, fussing or hungry after a feeding |
none or infrequent |
0 |
|
|
with most feeding |
1 |
|
daily weight gain in ounces |
>= 1 ounce |
0 |
|
|
< 1 ounce |
1 |
total number of findings =
= SUM(points for all 10 findings)
Interpretation:
• minimum number: 0
• maximum number: 1
• The presence of a single finding is of indeterminate significance.
• The presence of 2 or more findings should prompt a further evaluation of the mother and infant.
Specialty: Pedatrics, Nutrition
ICD-10: ,
