On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 [log in to unmask] wrote:

> I think we are mxing definitions and issues.  You and the Answer Book
> are both correct in that infants, both premies and term infants, ARE
> more physiologically stable with breastfeeding than bottlefeeding.
> They have more stable oxygen saturations, etc.  That does not mean that
> it is "easier" to breastfeed than bottle-feed. The references you cite
> simply attest to more stability with breastfeeding.  There is no
> evidence that babies use at lot of energy "avoiding being choked to
> death".  Bottle-fed infants consistently consume more, so nurses simply
> assume that it is "easier".

Ah... OK.  I want to make sure I'm straight on this so bear with me
please.  I'm not being argumentative!  :)

The net caloric intake would be influenced by at least two things:

1 - the amount of formula or breastmilk consumed (or forced down)
2 - the energy used to extract the formula or breastmilk from the bottle
or breast

Right?

I can see how, then, the net caloric intake when a baby is bottle-fed will
be higher if a skilled <?> NICU nurse can force a lot of formula or
breastmilk into a baby with a bottle - even if, as the comments in the BAB
indicate, bottlefeeding is more stressful for the baby.  I assumed,
perhaps wrongly, that the stress was at least partly related to the baby
using energy to try to avoid the nipple flow he isn't controlling with his
suck.  I based that assumption on the BAB's remarks about premies not
being nearly as able to organize "suck, swallow, breathe" with bottles as
with breasts, but perhaps I misunderstood.

Thanks for your patience.

Cee

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