I am not sure how Prolacta's products are being promoted through Abbott
(formerly Ross) in other areas of the USA, but here in the Chicago area,
Prolacta is definitely not being promoted by their distributor.  When Mead
Johnson came out with a liquid human milk fortifier, our Abbott salesperson
put on her hardest pitch ever.  I have never seen such aggressive marketing
against a competitor.  My inquiry about Prolacta products was met with "Oh,
they cost $10,000", and on to the pitch on how horrible Mead Johnson's new
product is and why we should keep on buying Abbott's 30 calorie formula
instead or their new high protein formula for fortification.  I don't think
Prolacta is going to profit from their partnership if that's the company
line.  Abbott "wanting to do the right thing" looks more like a ploy to make
us think they are more breastfeeding friendly than Mead Johnson, but they
apparently have no intention of promoting Prolacta's human milk products.
Maybe they deserve each other?  
Yes, there is a need for all of their products until more non-profit banks
open and hospitals become Baby Friendly.  I will choose to keep trying to
educate staff on how to increase the calorie content of mother's own milk
when needed for better growth and encourage fortification with the product
that displaces the least amount of breastmilk when needed.  We are Level 2
so don't deal with the needs of VLBW infants.  We are usually fortifying for
calorie count and nutrients, not volume.  And I will continue to insist that
we use our Creamatocrit before fortifying and getting a detailed pumping
history.  Many times fortification is not even necessary if
breastfeeding/pumping is managed correctly in our population of preterms and
late preterms.  
What are the Abbott salespeople saying about Prolacta in other areas?  Is
anyone purchasing Prolacta products through Abbott?  What is the cost?
Linda Anderegg, BSN, RNC, IBCLC in Chicago, chuckling that my Spellcheck
wanted to change Prolacta to Polecat 

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