What would you say to this mother?

[Guest guest]

I got this email from a mom i worked with earlier in the year. She is a medical

professional and is really upset about the " just one bottle " handout that is

being given out in her work setting. Anyhow Im kinda stuck because I dont know

what the best response is - Im thinking along the lines of - breastfeeding is

more than just about the benefits and also its a dose related thing . And maybe

, if that bottle kept you feeding preterm twins for 3 months then what can be

wrong with it?

Anyhow heres the message : ****

Just wondering if any of you had any up-to-date information regarding the

effects of a breast fed baby receiving one bottle of formula per day? I've read

that this will change the baby's gut pH to that of a completely formula fed

infant thus effecting their gut flora. A lot of the research relating to this

seems to be at least 10yrs old. And what are the real effects of this as it is

quite confusing!

I expressed for my twins for 3mths and then they got EBM and 1 bottle of formula

for another 3mths. It is depressing to think that for those 3mths that the one

bottle of formula would negate all the goodness from the EBM! Is this what the

research is suggesting??? ***

Also if anyone knows more upto date papers could they let me know

Thanks

Nicola O'Byrne IBCLC

www.breastfeedingsupport.ie

wwww.breastfeedingdublin.blogspot.com