Several folks mentioned this article.  I finally got around to writing to
Wash. Post:

The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20071

Editors:

In the health section of the March 4, 1997 Washington Post, there is
an article entitled "Scientists Debate Change in Infant Formula" by Lawrence
G. Proulx
(Washington Post Staff Writer), about the possible addition of DHA to
formula.

Thank you for bringing the glaring deficiencies of artificial baby milk
(infant formula) to the public's attention. You are correct to point out that
DHA is present in breastmilk and has never been part of infant formula in the
U.S. - but the same can be said of so many other fatty acids and other
extremely important components found in breastmilk but not in artificial
milks.  Even more to the point, the article states one "can't look at any
constituent in milk by itself because there's an enormously complex
interaction of the constituents of human milk" and "it's just a nightmare [to
figure out the interactions]."

I would like to clarify some of the comments made, however.  These statements
are incredulous:
"When you look at some of the nutrients in breast milk [such as zinc,
selenium, iron], they're present in very low levels. . . . It's possible that
the baby got those from crawling around in the dirt.  So babies might
actually need more nutrients than breast milk provides."
Have you ever heard of bioavailability?  These nutrients are present in just
the right quantities for human babies and can be absorbed and utilized easily
by them.  Cow's milk and soy milk formulas are not really suitable for
humans.

Next, regarding the higher IQs of breastfed babies, the article states that
"it may not be breast milk that accounts for the IQ difference but perhaps
the act of breast-feeding. Innis pointed out that 'women that breast-feed
tend to have a higher education and a higher socioeconomic class.' "   I am
surprised you did not know that these variables were controlled for in recent
research and that is what makes the study results so compelling.

The public needs more articles informing them of the superiority of
breastmilk and breastfeeding and of the numerous serious health hazards
caused by artificial feeding.  Please consider doing more research and
printing more on this subject.

Sincerely,



Laurie Wheeler, RNC, MN, IBCLC
Violet LA
LA Breastfeeding MediaWatch Coordinator