Hi!  I need some expert advice from all you lactnetters out there.  I am a
NICU nurse and have been involved in breastfeeding issues, and have been
lurking around Lactnet for the last 6 months or so, and I have learned so very
much from all of you!  I hope someone can answer my question, as I started a
new job today and may have already rocked the boat!  I was telling the mom of
a preemie to leave us fresh breast milk to feed her baby if she had it, as we
preferred fresh milk to frozen.  I told her that we would rather have fresh
milk because it has a higher caloric and fat content than frozen.  I have
heard this several times I had thought at various breastfeeding conferences.
She was very happy and left me fresh warm milk to use, but on her way out
questioned why no one had ever told her this before.  The nurses were unaware
of this and were requesting references.  Is what I told her true, or was I
just perpetuating a myth, now I am beginning to doubt myself.  The unit did
not have any breastfeeding books, except for one old one, and we could not
found any material to support this in there.  Does anyone know if this is
true, and know of any references that I could pass along to the unit.  The
mother would be very pleased.  When we asked the attending neo about it, has
response was "Well, I guess I had heard that a few times before, but it really
won't make a difference to the baby in the long run" !!! Needless to say, he
could not provide any references either!  I appreciate all of your help,
please respond to me privately at [log in to unmask] if you can as I am behind
on reading mail.  I am going back to work Friday evening, if you can provide
any material before then!  Thank you so very much!,
PS This unit also uses thawed milk for 48 hours, I was used to only using it
for 24 hours.  Is 48 hours OK?