see below for my letter to the editor.  Thanks to those who alerted us to
this one.  I am sure my letter should be better but I am very pre-occupied
at the moment

Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland
[log in to unmask]

Sir:
Dr Stuttaford's article on breastfeeding (Wednesday 21st May) astounded me.
 A mish-mash of opinion, outdated science and misunderstood research was
presented as fact.
It was once believed that breastmilk was deficient in vitamin D.  However
it has been known for 20 years (Lakdawala DR, Widdowson EM: Vitamin D in
human milk, Lancet 1:167, 1977) that this was because researchers were
looking only for fat soluble vitamin D.  In fact vitamin D is present in
the aqueous component of breastmilk in adequate quantities.
The evidence is that 13 weeks breastfeeding gives maximum protection
against gastro-enteritis (Howie et al. Protective effect of breastfeeding
against infection. BMJ 1990;300:11-16).  To assert that full immunological
benefits are attained by 3 months is astounding.  Where are the references?
I know of no research which supports the views expressed on children's
psychological well-being.  Perhaps Dr Stuttaford would like to cite some?