There are a couple of factors to consider, but I think the 'jury is still out on this' meaning I do not think we have a definite "you should not mix ebm and formula together" or "it is ok to do so". Here are the factors to consider: -you do not want to waste any ebm so feed it first and then give formula if no other ebm or donor milk is available and baby needs the complement/supplement. -possibility exists of the iron in iron fortified formula binding with the breastmilk lactoferrin rendering it ineffective or less effective to do its job(not sure if this is documented to happen or just theoretical) Let's say you are working with a mother with a poor feeder and a very low supply and no donor milk is available. Let's say she has 10cc available of ebm to comp her baby and he is acting hungry. Would you have her feed a full formula feeding and just keep expressing until she had a full feeding volume of ebm, as one post suggested might be wise? What about the lovely method of supplementing at the breast w/ a nursing supplementer. Surely the breastmilk and formula are being mixed in that case? If the mother were supplementing with bottle, and if no donor milk were available, based on my current state of understanding, I would have the mother breastfeed, then feed any and all available ebm and then make up the difference in formula at that same feed. I would not separate these events by any lenght of time. Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8 is here: Try it free* for 2 months http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] 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