To Rhoda,  (soggy and foggy in British Colombia)  I was disheartened when I
read in the B. C. Baby-Friendly Initiative /F. Jones and M. Green( a
wonderful resource by the way) on page 2 in section 2, called Promotion,
Protection and Support,  just how unfriendly, in fact, Canada is towards
breastfeeding toddlers.  They reported Canada's recommendations  "for infants
to be exclusively breastfed for 4-6 months and that mothers be supported to
breastfeed as long as possible.  Weaning should not occur until after the
first birthday". - The reference for this is Nutrition Statement, Canadian
Paediatric Society (1978).  Breastfeeding:  What is left beside the poetry? A
statement by the Nutrition Committee Can. J. Pub. Health 69:13-20.

I wonder how many mom's infer that they should wean after the first birthday?
 I do suspect the Nutrition Committe and wonder who they are.

Sounds similar to a situation written up in the Winter 1996 Issue of INFACT.
 Canada's delegation to the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods that
discussed and revised the standards for cereal-based complementary foods had
two out of  4 delegates representing Food Companys - (Dr. David Yeung,
representing Heinz infant foods and Dr. Eunice Chao from Kellogg's.)
  Elizabeth Sterken writes  "One would expect the health needs and interests
of infants and young children  to determine Canada's infant feeding policies
and positions; however, and perhaps not surprisingly, the marketing and
profit interest of the infant food industry dominated Canada's
recommendations for the proposed draft."

It goes on to say that Heinz infant foods sold in Canada contained from 20 to
40% less real food ingredients than the same products marketed in the US.  79
out of 95 Heinz infant foods sold in Canada contain starch fillers.  Dr.
David Yeund defends the nutritionally diluted foods by claiming that Canadian
infants have different taste requirements!

Unfortunately, Canada supported the introduction of complementary foods from
4 to six months, not as the World Health Assemblies had worded it as "at
about 6 months".

I ramble, but I am looking forward to your comments about our babies having
different taste requirements!

Bye for now,   Kathy Bodden .