Thank you to Katharine West for posting information against the use of
HMF.    I sent in several posts in mid-December asking about how and why
HMF is used.  Jay's subsequent question and the reply about HMF remind me
that those questions have still to be answered.  This topic interests me
because of  the potential for industry to subvert breastfeeding in another
way, and particularly because I fear that the apparent medical indication
for HMF has yet to be 'proved', but it will be exported anyway to
developing countries if we are not very careful.  In Zimbabwe it is
unknown, and apparently unnecessary, and I would like to keep it that way
if I can, which is why I am challenging people to describe the medical
indications for HMF.

Specifically, can anyone let me know what protocols are used:
1) How soon after birth it is started?
2) On what rationale? (eg low weight gain on mother's milk alone, and
how/when is inadequate gain assessed?  as a routine?)
3) When it is stopped?
4) Do these babies go on to be exclusively breastfed?

This topic interests me because of the potential for breastmilk-feeding (or
breastmilk itself) to be subverted in one more way, and particularly
because I fear that the apparent medical indication for HMF has yet to be
'proved', but is likely to be exported anyway to developing countries if we
are not very careful.  Am I right in thinking that HMF is already being
used in South Africa?  In Zimbabwe it is unknown, and apparently
unnecessary, and I would like to keep it that way if I can, which is why I
am being a little persistent in seeking the rationale for its use.

Many thanks.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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