> the doc (resident) explained to me that he had to take a liquid multi- >vitimin. I challenged her and she went on to >explain that EBF babies have to take these >vitimins because they may not be getting enough >through breast milk...and added, that formula >babies get all these things through formula. Yet another example of a HCP considering formula the norm and breastfeeding an aberration. Aargh! The American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement on breastfeeding and the use of human milk http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496 says, "Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is the REFERENCE OR NORMATIVE MODEL (emphasis mine) against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short- and long-term outcomes." "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life Š" They go on to recommend the vitamin K shot for newborns, and daily vitamin D drops starting in the first 2 months (which is controversial in the lactation community -- many, many do not believe universal vit D supplementation is necessary), but they do not say anything about other vitamins. I hope that you will bring the AAP statement to the resident's attention! Perhaps you should also share it with her supervisor so that all the residents can learn something. Margaret Longmont, CO *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html Mail all commands to [log in to unmask] To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask]) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask]) To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]