Good luck finding non-DHA fortified formulae!

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Burger
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: So-called superdoctors

Sigh!  One of the hospitals took out a full page ad in the NY Times Sunday magazine.  It boasted "Super Doctors".  Unfortunately, under the pediatrician section, one of the superdocs, told a client that her baby was failing to thrive due to her (the mom's) poor nutrition.  Never mind that her baby had been rehospitalized and supplemented with formula for jaundice and mom had suffered from mastitis as a result of that episode.  Never mind that no feeding assessment was observed, let alone a pre and postfeeding weight check.  The mom's supply is nicely increasing, the baby's weight was nicely increasing, and she will be able to get off the formula -- but she had no one pointing out the good results of her hard work.  She had a perfectly fine caloric intake, but was completely stressed out about her diet.

On a similar note -- someone recently posted that we are not allowed to make recommendations about formula.  When I read the WHO code, it seems to me that we have a responsibility and even an obligation to discuss how to minimize risks when breast milk substitutes must be used.  One doesn't need to recommend any specific formula to provide parents with the basic evidence about risks of bacteria in the powder, hypo or hypernatremia if one doesn't mix the powder properly, the risks of allergies to cow's milk AND soy proteins, the fact that the DHA formulas are genetically modified, etc.  Once can discuss balancing those risks generically while letting the parent discuss the options with other health care practitioners and make their own decisions about their best options.

Best, Susan Burger

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome