On Dec. 11 Kathy Rehmert responded to Dr. Jack's comment:

>I am nodding in agreement, here...I remember when my baby was about 3
months
> old, my husband left a bottle of breatmilk in the side pocket and didn't
tell
> our babysitter...so it sat out for 10 hours...I looked in all of my
> literature, but alas, it had been out too long...Now, I don't know if it
was
> hormones or not, but I was so upset, I cried when I poured that bottle
out..I
> told my husband THIS IS GOLD I'M POURING DOWN THE DRAIN!!! He has NEVER
left a
> bottle out since then...

I cried too, and it wasn't even my milk. One of our mothers had pumped and
saved 3 bottles of breastmilk (2 oz each) while in the hospital. She forgot
them when she was discharged, lived a significant distance from the
hospital and opted not to return for the milk. Hardest thing I ever had to
do was pour that milk down the drain, only 1 or 2 of the other nurses
really understood how hard that was for me. Just as hard as those bottle
feedings of formula that I have to do on the night shift. Before anybody
jumps on me, no these are not breastfed babies being supplemented at night;
just those unfortunate few who's mother's chose not to nurse.

Mary A. Banaszewski RN, Lactation Specialist