Here are some references. I would also get a copy of ILCA's "Hazard's of Infant Formula" (compiled by Marsha Walker) which has more references germane to your situation. Also read references and content in Ruth Lawrence's "Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, 4th ed." Does the physician in question read? I only ask because this information if not new. The World Health Organization phrase "If anything can be taken by mouth, human milk is the most appropriate" comes to mind. Duh. (Ask for his references. His list will be much shorter. And "standard of practice" doesn't count.) Barlow B et al. 1974. An experimental study of acute neonatal enterocolitis: the importance of breast milk. J Pediatr Surg 9:587-94 Berseth CL: Effect of early feeding on maturation of the preterm infant's small intestine, J Pediatr 120:947,1992 Brown EG, Ainbender E, Sweet AY: Effect of feeding stool endotoxins: possible relationship to necrotizing enterocolitis, Pediatr Res 10:352, 1976 Bradley M. 1986. Breastfeeding and necrotizing enterocolitis. Indiana Med. October 1986, 859-61. Gross SJ, Slagle TA: Feeding the Low Birthweight Infant, Clin Perinatol 20:193, 1993 Kleigman R et al. 1979. Necrotizing enterocolitis in infants fed human milk. J Pediatr 95:450-53 Kleigman R et al. 1980 Human milk feedings and NEC J Pediatr 96:780-81 Kosloske AM. 1984. Pathogenesis and prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis: a hypothesis based on personal observation and a review of the literature. Pediatrics 74:1086-91 Lucas A, Colt T. 1990 Breastmilk and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Lancet 336:1519-1523 Moriarty R et al. 1979 Necrotizing enterocolitis and human milk. J Pediatr 94:295-96 Stevenson D, Graham C. Stevenson J. 1980. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: 100 new cases. Adv Pediatr 27:319-40 There are many, many more. .. Margery Wilson, IBCLC