Jessica Griffin asks whether fingertip expression of colostrum to feed to
vulnerable premature babies would be more efficient than any other method,
and from my experience the answer is a resounding 'yes'.
It may even be possible to draw each drop right up into a syringe as it
comes out of the breast.  Fathers are often more than willing to do the
collection, and in a situation when both parents may feel helpless and
frightened it provides a meaningful, possibly life-saving task that may be
more acceptable to mother than having anyone else help her express.
I was struck by the phrase 'killing our premature infants more quickly'.  In
Norway NEC is something we know about by reading, and I know many
neonatologists who have never seen a single case of it.  We give our
standard, unpasteurized donor milk if there is no maternal colostrum
available, and this is given as soon as at all possible, even by swab in
baby's mouth if need be.
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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