On occassion, I am asked by mothers who have returned to work and
have periods of low milk supply about what type of ABM to
supplement their primarily nursing infant with.  I have heard
soy-based is no longer necessary and that a "regular" ABM can be
used.  More recently (about a year ago), I heard Dr. Gartner speak at a
grand rounds at my hospital on breastmilk jaundice (wonderful
presentation), and he had said that, when a supplement is needed,
low-iron ABM should be used for the infant who is still nursing.  This
made perfect sense to me since mother's milk provides a better
environment for iron absorption and too much free iron in the gut just
feeds the bacteria. Additionally, when I was talking to another
nurse-colleague who also attended grandrounds, she said that she
had always used a low-iron ABM when a supplement was needed for
her primarily breast-fed babies (she has four) because the regular
ABMs upset her babies' stomachs.

I have discussed this with other friends, and one person said that her
pediatrician absolutely had a fit!  He said it was the "most rediculous
thing I've heard!"  My friend, however, thinks he is wrong.  The
problem is I can not find a source for use of low-iron ABM as
supplement to the best, mother's milk, when the infant is still
receiving mother's milk for most of his nutrition.  I have seen Dr.
Gartner's comments on the net before, and I was wondering if he has
sources.  Or, if anyone else has sources.

Thanks!  Its great to be a part of this group!
Suzanne Barron, MS, RNC, IBCLC
NICU Clinical Nurse Specialist
Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters