The recent question someone recently raised about the effect of bili lights on milk piqued my curiosity and sent me to do a google search. Here is what I found: Basically, the info is concerned with cow's milk and I make no claim that it can be applied to human milk (however, it makes sense, doesn't it?). The first thing to note is that phototherapy is not (contrary to most public and professional beliefs) ultraviolet light, but rather blue light. The difference is in the wave length of the light waves. According to a variety of sources, UV is listed in the range of 400nm to 10nm; blue light is in the range of 400-490 nm (with visible light of all colors - remember ROYGBIV- ranging 750-400). Phototherapy is generally blue or blue-green light in the range of 425-490nm. That being said, according to a dairy reference I found, "The nutrients in [cow's] milk are most sensitive to light in the blue-violet area of the visible spectrum. This is in the range of 400 to 500 nanometers in wavelength. Contrary to popular belief, ultraviolet light in the area below about 380 nanometers, and visible light above 500 nanometers in wavelength have relatively little effect on the vitamins and other nutrients in milk. The amount of photooxidation that can occur is a function of the amount of radiant energy reaching the milk and the length of exposure to the light." (_http://www.bpsolvaype.com/na/upload/techpub_n3.pdf_ (http://www.bpsolvaype.com/na/upload/techpub_n3.pdf) ) According to that source, it would seem that phototherapy lights are exactly the range that would have the maximum effect on (cow's) milk. Further, it is apparently quite well known in the dairy industry about the "photooxidative destruction of labile vitamins. The most sensitive labeled vitamins affected in milk are riboflavin (B2) and added vitamin A. The second problem is oxidation of lipids, amino acids, and proteins with a possible result of developing off-flavor. This occurs mainly through a breakdown of unsaturated fatty acids. Photooxidation of vitamins such as riboflavin can trigger in turn the oxidation of some compounds, including the amino acid methionine, which contains sulfur. Raw milk is more prone to photooxidation than processed milk." (same reference as above paragraph). Another article incorporated several studies which demonstrated the “Light Oxidized effect” on milk due to the use of fluorescent lighting in food displays. "Milk loses not only flavour in this process, but also experiences nutrient losses with degradation of riboflavin, Vitamin A and D". (_http://www.safespectrum.com/temp/applications-dairy.php_ (http://www.safespectrum.com/temp/applications-dairy.php) ) Based on this strictly non-scientific research info, I would caution anyone from keeping bottles of breast milk or formula under phototherapy (bili) lights until further info is available. Interesting stuff! Kathy Rubin in NJ RN, C (Maternal/Infant), APN, C (Family Nurse Practitioner), LC PhD Candidate at Rutgers, NJ College of Nursing (causing me to spend way too much time on the internet looking things up!) *********************************************** 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(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html