Unrecognized breast feeding malnutrition may rapidly lead to life-threatening or neurologically devastating consequences. With the increased interest in lactation, it is important that physicians, dietitians, and nurses provide counseling to parents regarding the benefits and difficulties of breast feeding. Appropriate education, assessment of the infant's vigor and maternal milk supply prior to release from the hospital, and close follow-up evaluation are all necessary to help a mother feed successfully, to detect a developing problem, and to avert a potentially serious condition in the baby.