Hi All,
   I agree with the post on comparing P C Formula and Human Milk, but
the first thought that entered my mind, was not that the higher values
made the formula 'better' but would be harder on the infant's organs and
system. Especially when I saw the sodium levels which I know can effect
the kidneys and strain them. Also I tend to recall in the '70s a problem
with the high sodium causing babies to appear thirsty so moms gave
babies more formula and the viscious cycle ended with kidney
complications.
    On Joy's post on weaning and raising our daughters to be strong but
nurtuting - it is important to raise our daughters to realize their own
strengths and to preserve and protect their self-esteem in spite of what
the school systems, society and culture are throwing at them. My oldest
daughter went into the Marines after realizing two things, that she was
not content with waiting tables all her life (but we had no money for
college and waiting for grants and loans was too long for this impatient
child) and to prove to her father (male figure of society to her) that
she could at something considered all most impossible and very unusual
for a female. She has. Our second daughter is trying to sort through the
issues of being very desireable to the males around her (she is quiet
and small for her age, I guess that brings out the protective instinct
in them) and yet accomplishing something to prove that she is 'just as
good as them.' I just want my daughters to realize that while I believe
that relationships are the most important thing we as humans invest in,
we must not as females qualify our existence, worth and value by a
relationship with a man. That is how abusive situations begin and
continue. Young women also need to know about 'sequencing' or the
'phases' of life and that it is ok to work as a young woman and than
take some time out of the employed market to raise a family and then go
back. We have forgotten this in our society and the confusion and
resulting situations are tearing at the fiber of our society as a whole.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY
"I do not do great things, I do small things with great love." Mother
Theresa