Hi Jeanette,
A situation with a 29 wk gestation infant is usually fairly complex,
really. And using a fortifier is pretty much standard of care in USA
nicus with such early babies, although debate and research continue on
the pros/cons, gestation ages it is needed for, when to stop, side
effects, etc. I believe parents will likely find it difficult to get
the fortifier stopped, if that's what the goal is.
Using high-fat milk can add calories, but does not take the place of
what the fortifier is being clinically used for (protein and
minerals). However, if you do an internet search for rush presbyterian
nicu mothers milk club and paula meier you will find  a wealth of info
and published research. I am sure you could actually speak to someone
at Rush. Or mother could. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine also
has protocols for bf VLBW or ELBW infants and San Diego's Dr. Wight
and her colleagues have Breastfeeding Toolkits on same subjects (I am
not sure exactly how to locate these online, but I usually find them
easily via search engine or lactnet archives).
If weight gain has been a problem, this is not unusual, depending on
the age of the baby, if the baby is on full milk feeds or still on iv
fluids, if the baby has ongoing medical problems, e.g. respiratory
distress continuing at this point, etc. In my experience, the baby
will not gain weight until enough VOLUME is being taken in. It still
amazes me how neonatologists will beleive that 22 cal formula or 24
calorie formula will put weight on a premie when IF YOU DO THE MATH,
16 calories (for example) more a day is not going to make much of a
difference.
I am certainly not trying to discourage you from pursuing creamatocrit
intervention or any other intervention. I would definitely encourage
mother to maximize her milk production especially if baby is requiring
any formula, as that will add to the feeding intolerance, and to ask
for and do kangaroo care/skin to skin as much as possible, as this
will help baby with weight gain too.
Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome