Breastfeeding and Dehydration

Doctors and researchers in the United Kingdom are launching a study to figure out how many newborns are seriously dehydrated because they're not able to take in enough breastmilk.  When that happens it's called Hypernatraemic Dehydration.  It's rare but if not treated it can cause some terrible problems and be potentially fatal. The good news is, if found early enough, it's very treatable.  The bad news is, it's not always easy to know that your baby is dehydrated.

But we, in the U.S. do have one thing that lends an eye on prevention:  we have uniform visits with our pediatricians to weigh our newborns.  Apparently they don't in the U.K. (though that's now on the table).

The doctors in the study are not suggesting moving to formula.  They are suggesting more support for breastfeeding.

Whether or not you move to formula is your choice.  But it's a good choice to have.  Think about those in third world countries who aren't as fortunate, and don't have the option of formula in some cases.  Think about the stress that might cause if the baby is dehydrated.   We're lucky to have the option.  Look at this week's story by a woman named Carrie.  I think she sums up things pretty perfectly.   Whatever works best for your family and destresses the situation, is the right way to go.  And for every family, that's different.