Valerie and all: I was not referring to the old research that compared drip milk to mother's own milk - clearly infants do better with their own mother's milk. There are several studies of mother's own milk vs fortified mother's own milk (actually a Cochrane Review as well) which clearly show at least a short term benefit (ie < 2years) to growth and bone mineralization. The differences tend to wash out after 5-8 years, but a difference in height/length remains. I used to think that anyone who would accept formula company money to do research was automatically suspect. I have changed my mind - I know of no two people more scientifically and ethically rigorous than Paula Meier and Richard Schanler - both of whom have done some superb research using formula money. Lucas does have a financial interest in follow-up formulas but his research is sound. I agree that "we know not what we do" when using fortifiers, but I have seen too many premies in tha past with rickets and FTT to go with with human milk alone for the VLBW infant. Nancy Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC Neonatologist, Children's Hospital, and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women Medical Director, Lactation Services, Sharp HealthCare San Diego, CA, USA *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html