I had just wanted to make people aware of a good review of the issues of DHA,
especially regarding the supplementation of the maternal diet. This
publication is from the Human Lactation Center at UC Davis. It is an independent study
workbook eligible for continuing education credit.

The Role of Long-chain Fatty Acids in Infant Health: Helping Families Make
Informed Decisions about DHA. http://lactation.ucdavis.edu

A chapter discusses maternal diet supplementation reminding us that DHA
values are frequently reported in the literature and by formula companies as
percentages of fatty acids rather than as concentration, leading to a skewed
perspective on the milk content. This document also points out that the association
between maternal supplementation and infant status is a saturable curve.
Increasing supplementation of mothers is not associated with increased infant
erythrocyte DHA if a level of 0.8% has been reached. Higher levels of DHA do not
result in higher stores or improved function in the infant.

We can point this out to the formula salespeople and those wishing to infer
that human milk is deficient in DHA. Mothers do not need to buy supplements in
order to breastfeed. Just another industry ploy to extend their product line
at the expense of breastfeeding.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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