from:    Diane Wiessinger <[log in to unmask]>
"Doctors around here have the notion that something about
formula removes bilirubin more effectively than an equal amount of
breastmilk, and that babies with "separation jaundice" will improve fastest
if they're taken off the breast completely.  I have a query in at one of the
local offices, but in the meantime, *what study are they basing this on*?
Apparently there really is something in the literature (according to a PNP
here), and I sure do want a copy of it.  In the meantime, one more mother
here is up to her eyeballs in engorgement with no pump and a baby who no
longer latches..."

They might be basing their opinion on the following study:

Tan KL. Decreased response to phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in
breast-fed infants. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998;152:1187-1190.

The author does not recommend cessation of breastfeeding. One could debate
his conclusions about supplementing with formula.

Peggy Herschel, MD
General Care Nursery
University of Chicago

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