Looping, then referencing dynamic clips from array

i’m looping thru xml nodes and using this to attach clips to an empty mc:

item = _root.mainHolder.links.linkHolder.attachMovie("linkClip", "linkClip" + i, i);

my question is how can I reference the previously attached clip so I can determine the _y property of the current item(clip).

I’d like to do something like this.

item._y= previously attached clip._y-previously attached clip.height

that way my dyn clips can resize based on how much text…

get it?