In a message dated 3/30/00 2:33:43 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< It sounds to me that Human Milk Fortifier is being added to the mom's
br.milk.  I know it is used routinely where I work.  I'm not an NICU nurse,
but I have often wondered if it is something really necessary.  I feel that
it gives the wrong message to mother's who are pumping or trying to est.
br.fdng:  their br.milk isn't good enough.  I don't recall ever having a
mother tell me her baby isn't tolerating the feeds once the fortifier is
added, but it makes sense to me.  I was always under the impression that the
br. milk produced for preemies was specific to their needs. >>

A pediatrician in the hospital where I worked several years ago attended a
conference at which a neonatologist from Australia spoke about this. He said
they had stopped using the human milk fortifier as they found equal or better
results without it. IMO, its routine use seems to be *because of its routine
use*, if you know what I mean. I agree that it is very undermining and
contributes to the "vulnerable baby syndrome" many parents of premature
babies experience. I would imagine there might some non-routine appropriate
use, but wonder if any studies have shown what these might be.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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