Jean writes:
 
 
<<I was just hoping for some personal reassurance for me as  to whether it 
has been proven, in widespread practice, or formal research,  that the 
addition of powdered formula to EBM is without known harm (beyond its  effect on 
gut flora and effect of the iron on normal iron mechanisms of the  EBM, that 
is).>>

 
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Jean, I really wish there were some clear, specific answers for  this.  
What we've heard on several occasions on this list and elsewhere is  that "we 
do this frequently - all the time -- often -- in our NICU or for babies  
going home" -- therefore, ergo, it must be the right and scientific thing to  
do.  But the question is, where is the reality that this really IS the best  
thing to do for our babies.  What does powdered formula actually DO to the  
EBM?  Has anyone actually done a study to look at the components of  
breastmilk and see what happens when the AIM is added?  If adding AIM to  water (as 
directed) gives X, Y, Z amounts of minerals, calories, etc, then what  
happens to that concentration of minerals when it is added to something that  
already HAS minerals?  Is the mother's milk ever tested to look and see  what 
the caloric value of her milk is, or is an assumption made that ALL  mothers' 
milk is ALWAYS 20 kcal/ounce?  
 
It is interesting  to me that it seems that if the "experiment" involves 
AIM, the assumption is  that it is OK to do whether or not we have the 
evidence to back it up that it is  not only "safe" but beneficial.  
 
Musing on Jean's  thoughts and really wondering what the actual evidence  
shows...
 
Jan Barger, RN, MA,  IBCLC, FILCA


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