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Subject:
From:
Chris Mulford RN IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 31 Mar 1997 09:28:04 -0500
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Willow,
I couldn't agree more!  I like "Human Milk" (HM).  I also like "Mother's
Milk" (MM).  Sounds delicious, doesn't it?  Like a certain colorful chocolate
candy, or like the old Campbell's Soup ads---"MM, Good!"
And BM could stand for "bottle milk" as well as other things.

Recalling the old quandry of what to call "the other stuff," I recently had
this inspiration.  When formula is being used despite that fact that the
mother has plenty of her own milk, we ought to call it "breastmilk replacer."
 That term could also apply to weaning foods, and it would be entirely
appropriate to use the term whatever the situation---
a) replacing breastmilk too early, before the baby has a developmental or
nutritional need for nutrients from sources other than his mother; or
b) replacing breastmilk as part of the normal weaning process, because at
some time---age 3 or 5 or 7 years---you DO "outgrow your need for milk,"
despite what the dairy lobby says.

There are other situations, though, when formula is used because the baby has
no access to breastmilk---mother tries to breastfeed and despite everyone's
good efforts, she and her baby do not succeed; mother refuses to breastfeed;
mother is dead; mother is HIV positive in a locale with good sanitation and
plenty of money; a wet-nurse is not a possibility; etc.  In these situations,
I'd call formula "breastmilk substitute" because there's no breastmilk for it
to replace.

If we used the term "breastmilk replacer," it would be quite clear that
"supplementation" in most cases is not a way to SUPPLEMENT the baby's
nutrient intake from mother's milk, it is a way to SUPPLANT the baby's
nutritional intake of mother's milk.

By the way, I for one would like to know more about "premier contracts."

Peace.
Chris

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