Pam--

I would vote for number 1(Commercial formula) as it is at least tailored to
meet an infant's metabolic state. Cow's milk protein is not easy for a baby
to digest in any form, and the overload to the kidney is a problem as well;
at least the manufactured baby formulas have processed it somewhat. To give a
combination mixture or straight cow's milk would, IMHO, be worse than giving
formula.

I always tell my moms that if they must choose to wean before age 1, they
must go to formula rather than whole milk for the above reasons. It is my
hope that they realize that giving the baby formula is giving it "yucky
stuff" which is how I often refer to it, and how much work will go into
mixing, storing and cleaning when the baby is switched to that!!! Maybe some
of them won't wean quite so early when they think in these terms (especially
the working mom who has to get up and deal with all of that work in the
middle of the night).

Kathy Rubin in NJ
IBCLC, RN, BC (Maternal/Infant), APN, C (Family Nurse Practitioner)
PhD student hopng to study lactation issues someday

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