Can't quote exact references, but I seem to remember it having to do with Lactoferrin. Instead of latching on to the iron in the cell wall of bacteria, so they can no longer live, lactoferrin becomes "impotent" against the bacteria because it is "glomming on" to the iron in the ABM, or some such thing. And I think the practical info you remembered was right in saying that EBM needs to be fed, and digested, all by itself, till it has gone far enough through the digestive process that "adulteration" (chosen advisably) will not occur when the ABM arrives in the GI tract. This sounds then as if neither mixing the two directly together, nor "supplementing" at the end of an EBM feeding would be wise. Does it seem to anyone else that this would also apply to our recent discussion on the fact that "Human Milk Fortifier", being in fact not made from human milk, but a special mix of formula that ABM companies have come up with the directions for, might in fact cut down on some of protective effect for premies if mixed in with the EBM? Jean ********** K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC Dayton, Ohio USA *********************************************** 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