Narelle:  The reason the ABM is recommended is that early exaggerated
physiologic jaundice is due to infrequent or ineffective breastfeeding,
with the absence of enough breastmilk to stimulate expulsion of the
meconium.  So in a medical milieu which has traditionally tried ABM
before trying to fix the breastfeeding problem, the mere fact that the
baby has been fed stimulates meconium expulsion enough to help clear the
jaundice.  Increasing the frequency and/or improving the mechanics of the
breastfeeding would work just as well, but this is a hard concept for
physicians (and other health professionals) who have seen ABM do the
trick.  The best references include Auerbach KG and Gartner LM.
Breastfeeding and human milk: Their association with jaundice in the
neonate. Clinics in Perinatology. March 1987. Vol 14, No.1, pp89-103.
Another article which is mentioned in the above excellent review but
which really clarifies the role of feeding frequency (breast or ABM) is
De Carvalho M, Klaus MH, Merkatz RB.  Frequency of breast-feeding and
serum bilirubin concentration. Am J Dis Child 1982; 136:737-8.  I
remember that they mention that even among bottle-fed babies, the least
jaundiced were those who were fed most frequently.  Hope this helps.
Alicia. [log in to unmask]