>If we rant on and on about human milk for human babies, =
and talk about mammalian milk being species specific, why is it okay to =
give cow's milk formula to other animals, especially if it has been =
formulated, however badly, to approximate human milk?<

Chanita, for teh same reason that we think it's OK to give formula to
effectively orphaned human babies, those whose mothers aren't feeding them
teh real thing: that we think it's probably better than any other
alternative non-species specific food. Of course you are right, it isn't
suitable for many species : lactose will kill baby rabbits, for instance.
In Australia there are wombat, kanagroo and possum formulas: cows'
milk-based  mixtures made to deal with orphaned marsupials, precisely
because the outcomes can be so poor on cows' milk mixtures modified to
"suit" humans. I therefore marvel at Mead Johnson's use of Peter Rabbit
with his motehr bottle-feeding the latest obviously unwanted child on their
cans: it is a clear example of how to kill babies by not breastfeeding.
(And an utter bastardisation fo a lovely picture: Beatrix Potter would turn
in her grave to see it.) Why don't we all ask Frederick Warne to stop
licensing such a British trademark so inappropriately: anyone in the UK got
an e-mail for FW in London? Talk to zoo keepers about how complex it can be
to get any sort of formual that infant mammals can survive, much less
thrive on, when no mother's milk has been available. Even giant pandas have
died of food allergy....MM

Maureen Minchin, IBCLC, 5 St, George's Rd., Armadale Vic 3143 Australia
tel/fax till maybe end January or mid Feb: 61.3.95094929 or 95000648
tel/fax after that: will let you know
Address (date depends on renovations; will post): Christ Church Vicarage,
14 Acland St., St.Kilda, Vic. 3182 Australia