Categorizing weight loss in breastfed infants: a good first step.

One of the most gratifying public health trends over the past 50 years in the United States has been the increasing rate of breastfeeding among newborn infants. In 1965, it was estimated that ,30% of neonates born in the United States were breastfed; by 2011, the percentage of infants who were at least partially breastfed had risen to 79%. A major focus of contemporary care during the birth hospitalization is the management of breastfed infants. Although much effort is centered on the provision of optimal instruction and support to mothers initiating breastfeeding, an equally important goal is to appropriately diagnose and manage newborns with breastfeeding difficulties.