In a message dated 3/1/02 12:57:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> I know that you NEVER feed part of a bottle of anything, then put the
> remainder back in the 'fridge for use at the next feed. The main reason I
> know of is backwash of saliva that works on digesting that remaining
> milk/formula.
>
Phyllis,
I have always wondered where this came from.  I have never seen it studied.
I know with formula, which is not a live product like breast milk, that it
will spoil much quicker than breast milk.  Even with the instructions on
formula that tells the parents not to reuse the bottle I have observed
parents in malls and other places where the same bottle is recapped and used
throughout an outing.
Breast milk has white cells and antibodies that actually kill organisms and
is very resilient.  There was a study out of North Dakota which is in the
archives addressing this.
If someone else on the list knows of the study regarding back wash of saliva,
I'd love to see it.
Meanwhile I tell parents that the breast milk is gold and I do have them save
it and reuse it.
Ann Perry RN,IBCLC
Boston, MA

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