On 01/06/2004, at 3:06, Sheila Company wrote:

> I suspect we start off sterilising & boiling water for mixing, &
> simply continue as long as formula is used (up to 1 year)
>
> I understand artificial powdered milk formula is not sterile
> (enterbacter sakazakii) & therefore it's use is always potentially a
> risky business.
> It's preparation & storage needs great care if 24 hours supply is made
> up at once, as milk is an ideal medium for microbal growth.

In editing and re-editing my post, I've realised that I've completely
missed out two rather key points (sigh).  At least the second one is
getting back to on-topic!

- I was speaking specifically of the recommendation to sterilise _all_
milk-feeding equipment for a _full year_ for healthy babies. Very young
babies being fed artificial milk that has been made up in advance and
stored a high temperatures, and special needs babies, are all
potentially at higher risk than the healthy nine month old who is also
chewing on thoroughly unsterile food, dirt, snails, and stuffed toys.
On making up formula in advance: is there evidence that bacteria likely
to be present in ABM will proliferate to dangerous levels within 24
hours at proper refrigeration temperatures? We routinely keep opened,
pasteurised cows milk in the fridge for over a week safely.

- I was coming from a personal perspective of having exclusively fed my
baby expressed milk for nine months, and predominantly expressed milk
for just under 15 months. When we command from on high, "you MUST
sterilise all feeding equipment, all the time, for any baby under 12
months", we are contributing unnecessarily to the already enormous
burden of mothers who are feeding fresh expressed milk. I think it is
vital to differentiate between artificial baby milk and the real, live
substance that is mother's milk. (And I apologise for not doing so in
my previous post). If freshly expressed mother's milk can be fed safely
from an clean, unsterile breast, it can also be fed fresh from a clean,
unsterile bottle.

Lara Hopkins

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