OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the pattern of newborns weight gain in the second phase of the Kangaroo Mother Method and to determine the influence of breast feeding on newborns weight gain METHODS: This was a prospective study of 22 newborns. Data were collected from March to August 2005. RESULTS: More than a half (54.6%) of the newborns had weight below the 5 percentile of the weight curve. The percentile of weight loss was of 9.8%. The mean of days for newborns to achieve the minimum weight and progress to normal weight was 5.2 days and 17.4 days, respectively. The relative rate of weight gain was 9g/kg/day and13.2g/kg/day in the first phase and in the second phase, respectively. The relative rate of weight gain of newborns who breast fed at the second phase was of 11.9g/kg/day. And, the relative rate of weight gain of newborns who breast fed and who were also fed with milk from the Human Milk Bank was 14.5g/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the importance of short, medium and long term follow-up of newborns. Monitoring the growth of newborns may be a strategy to improve the quality care to newborns and their families.
Weight by age; Infant, premature; Breast feeding
