[Justifications for formula supplementation in low-risk newborns at a Baby-Friendly Hospital]

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative recommends not giving newborn infants any food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated. This study investigated the prevalence and alleged reasons for giving formula supplementation to rooming-in newborns at a Baby-Friendly Hospital. Participants were 300 formula-supplemented, exclusively rooming-in newborns at a Baby-Friendly Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reasons for formula supplementation were classified as acceptable or unacceptable in accordance with the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative guidelines. A supplementation prevalence of 33.3% was found. The main allegations were: hypogalactia/ agalactia (36.8%), conditions involving risk of hypoglicemia (21.1%), cesarean section (7.9%), stomatognathic system-related conditions (7.4%), maternal conditions (6.3%), and absence of maternal HIV serology (4.5%). Cesarean section was associated with a higher risk of supplementation (RP = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.77-2.55) as compared to vaginal delivery. Supplementation prevalence was high, and only 9% of the allegations were justified.