Hi Anne - and everyone else,

Sounds as though the nurses are using a coverup for laziness -- it is
"easier" to take a lid off a jar a formula and pop a nipple on it than it is
to defrost a bag of EBM, pour into a bottle, etc. etc.  And, from an ease for
the nurses' perspective, 'tis true, 'tis true.  Too bad she couldn't go back
to the "good old days" of formula rooms where the nurses had to make up the
formula rather than pop a top.  EBM is good in the refrig. for at least 48 to
72 hours, and yes, you are right, there have been studies suggesting up to 5
to 8 days is OK.  Even if the staff used refrigerated EBM for the babies, the
lazy ones wouldn't want to do it because they would have to warm it -- and of
course, formula is "ready" at room temperature.  As for not clean?  The
macrophages and leukocytes in the EBM will take care of the bacteria in the
EBM -- the formula is DEAD and won't destroy anything -- but will allow lots
of goodies to grow in it.  In an old study Pat Bull & I did, we found that
some of the EBM had less bacteria in it at 10 hours than it did at first
expression.  I believe there was another good article too about bacteria in
EBM in the July (?) issue of Pediatrics.

And then, of course, we have the nurses who are still telling mothers that
they don't have enough milk for their "big" babies (this one was 7-15 and a
bit fussy the night after she was born).  So they give them formula.  Just an
ounce, mind you, not a problem.  Sigh.

Jan Barger, who is glad to be home from vacation -- she thinks.  Missed you
all, but after less than 18 hours at home and looking at all the work she has
to do is considering going back to PA.