Materials and Methods
This study was approved by the Nakhon Nayok Hospital’s Ethics Committee/ the Nakhon Nayok Hospital’s Director on research involving human subjects. Trial was conducted from June 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010. One hundred cases of term, normal mothers without any complication, who had spontaneous vaginal delivery with babies weighted 2500 grams without postpartum complication at Nakhon Nayok Hospital were recruited. Written informed consents were obtained. They were randomized divided into two groups, 50 each. Both groups had only regular postpartum diet provided by the hospital and drank enough water. One hard-boiled medium egg (50grams/each), 3 meals a day for the first 2 days were added to the study group. Both groups had unrestricted skin-to-skin contact with the baby immediately after delivery, initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life (early suckling, frequently suckling, rightly suckling), exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding on demand – that is as often as the child wants (day and night), no use of bottles, teats or pacifiers. The babies did not receive pre-lacteal, water, glucose or any other fluids. The breast milk volume of both breasts was measured by electric breast milk pump (SPECTRA Brand) for 15 minutes, once at 48 hours postpartum and compared between both groups.