Dear Lisa
The infection protective properties of Human Milk are considered a main
reason to give premature or sick newborns this wonderful liquid. These
babies are prone to various other sicknesses eg. NEC, sepsis, upper resp.
tract infections especially RSV (syncytial virus) and of course rotavirus.
All of these can be devastating to these babies, whose immumsystems are
susceptible due to immaturity. Macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and
IgA are much higher in preterm colostrum. Therefore preterm colostrum has a
greater potential in preventing infection than term colostrum. The milk
should be given in the sequence that it was collected,  thus giving the
baby the maximum nutritional benefits. As we know the milk changes as the
days go on, at around 2 weeks postpartum it is about equal to term milk.

Freezing and pasturization destroys some of the lymphocytes and
immunglobulins, thus raw milk from the babies own mother that is freshly
pumped is the best, next is refridgerated milk from the mothers baby, then
frozen from the babys mother. The next best is donor milk for a prem. from
another mother who has had a prem baby. This milk is in most cases
pasturized (generally the Holder method).

As far as I can say Paula Meier is correct in saying what she says, about
the order and what the baby receives. Can't understand why this NICU where
that you mention won't allow fresh milk, for other babies yes, but for the
mothers own baby no! All these things are in Ruth Lawrences book.

I realize the practice is not always easy even if we have these guidelines
to use.

I work as an LC in a Childrens Hospital, and on a NICU,all our prems
receive past. donor milk if there mothers don't have enough milk or even if
they don't want to breastfeed. It is a routine thing, the parents are
always informed that their babies are receiving donor milk, in all my years
working here I have never experencied a couple that has rejected
this "treatment"

Hope this has helped you.
Kerri Frischknecht RN,RM,IBCLC. Switzerland

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