In a message dated 7/19/02 12:06:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Dr. Lucas made the following statements about breastfeeding: "We have no
> >> idea whether sending them home breastfeeding is beneficial or not."
> "There
> >> is really no difference in growth between breastfed and bottle fed
> babies-
> >> in fact the bottle fed babies may even grow better."
> >> "Since babies aren't meant to be born too soon, we really don't have a
> good
> >> way to feed them, so (get this): if it turns out that human milk meets
> >> their
> >> needs it is almost a coincidence.""
>

Dear Friends:
     I beg to differ that these are honest statements. There is evidence that
shows low-birth weight babies do well on human milk. Schanler has talked
about the value of human milk, even as he and his crew are researching
fortifiers. We know that preemies who receive human milk are very much less
likely to get NEC. As has been stated before, since when is growing bigger
meaning growing better.
     Doesn't the fact that human milk at 32 weeks gestation or 30 weeks or
whenever is different to term milk give us a clue about its suitability for
preemies? And what about the significance of epidermal growth factor? Some
facilities are using human milk in small continuous doses to prime the gut
and help it to mature with good results. Can't do that from a can.
     Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE, craniosacral therapy
Adjunct faculty, Union Institute and University, Maternal and Child Health:
Lactation Consulting
Supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html