Jay - can appreciate how you would want something IN PRINT to flash around
concerning the l.5 million babies estimated to die each year from
inappropriate and unnecessary formula feeding (UNICEF info) ...  When I want
to "sell" breastfeeding I lend out Maureen Minchin's "Breastfeeding
Matters", and Gabrielle Palmer's "The Politics of Breastfeeding".  Then
there are the Andrew Chetley books, "The baby killer scandal" and "The
Politics of Baby Foods".  The International Baby Food Action Network, P O
Box 19, 10700 Penang, Malaysia have done a lot of work on the International
Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, there is a large pamphlet
called "Breaking the Rules" which I THINK (??) they publish.  A colleague of
mine was swamped with wonderful info when she contacted Baby Milk Action, 23
St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AX, U.K.
Hope this does it!!

Melissa - I recently had a similar case of prem twins (not QUITE so prem as
yours!) born at 35 weeks' gestation and discharged at 4 days weighing 1950g
(9.3% below birthweight) and 2100g (12.5% below birthweight) (sorry, I can't
think in ounces, 28g = 1 oz??).  At discharge babies were not really
latching competently, and breastfeeding was fragile, but mother was very
motivated and wanted to GO HOME.  Mum spent a worrying-for-me few days
relying on "breastfeeding" before calling for a follow-up at home where I
found jaundiced, sleepy babies with low urine/stool output(s).  What
eventually worked was (a) attempt breastfeeding each baby separately AT
LEAST every 2 - 3 hours if this is feasible; if not actually
"breastfeeding", DON'T WORRY .. (b) bottle-feed EBM every 2 - 3 hours if
baby/ies are asleep or can't latch or don't actively breastfeed etc. (amount
to be calculated based on each baby's weight - 15O-180ml/kg/day divided by
eight, for every 3 hours) (c) as soon as possible after feeding pump or
manually express remaining milk in the breasts, to be reserved for later in
the day - it helps very much if mother manages to get AHEAD of the babies'
needs, if she can't get enough she can pump in another hour and then again
etc, pumping frequently enough seems to be crucial if supply seems to be
inadequate for babies' needs (d) keep chart of each baby's urine/stool
output, weigh every 3 days or so to monitor progress.
Do I hear gasps of shock at the idea of bottle-feeding the EBM?  Mum tried
the alternative methods (breast, cup, spoon, dropper) without success, but
found that the babies WOULD drink from a bottle, even in their sleep, and it
quickly became obvious that getting the milk into the babies by ANY method
was urgent.
There were many days when they didn't breastfeed even once, but as they
became stronger and more alert (with all that milk still going in) so it was
possible for each one to learn to breastfeed as all babies do, with
practice. Finally there would be one "good" breastfeeding for each baby in
24 hours and then two and so on.  Once each baby became really competent Mum
was finally able to nurse both simultaneously - it took just over a month,
when they weighed 285Og and 3OOOg.  From this experience, and a few other
FTT nasties where the mother chose to bottle-feed EBM while simltaneously
teaching her baby to breastfeed again I am really beginning to wonder if
"nipple-confusion" is the problem we think it will be.  It seems to take
some of the anxiety out of the situation if the mother can SEE how much milk
each baby is getting and if she can concentrate on providing the product
first and the method of delivery later, at which time meticulous attention
to every tiny nuance of positioning and technique is helpful!  Melissa,
these babies sounds like a REAL challenge, best wishes.
Hope you'll keep us posted!

Pamela in Zimbabwe