>I still think these studies can be useful if they keep peds from panicking
and sending >every 9 month old who is not still gaining 2 lbs a month for a
gastroenterology
>consult.

It is true that some breastfed children who are doing fine will end up
supplemented or sent for a gastroenterology consult because they don't
measure up to the current charts (which are based on a combination of both
breastfed and bottle-fed children).

It is also true that some breastfed children who are NOT doing fine will end
up not getting the attention they need because their poor growth will be
attributed to the idea that "breastfed children just don't grow as fast as
bottle-fed children."

In fact, no one knows if breastfed children grow as fast as bottle-fed
children or not, because we don't have any data (yet) on children breastfed
on demand and co-sleeping from populations where mothers and children are
generally well-nourished and healthy.

So, pick your poison -- would you rather have some children supplemented
when not necessary, or would you rather have some children not supplemented
(or not have their problem fixed, whatever it is) when it is necessary.

Kathy Dettwyler

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