5-17-97

USA Today
Editors:

In the May 15, 1997 USA TODAY there is an article entitled "ENRICHING BABY
FORMULA" about the possible fortification of baby formulas with antioxidants.
 The article discusses a report in ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, a journal of the
American Chemical Society.   A Frederick Khachik of Catholic University,
Washington, D.C., analyzed breastmilk and found 34 carotenoids, a subset of
antioxidants that originate in fruits and vegetables.

It is correct that "the carotenoids of human milk are important for
developing and maintaining good health of infants," but the same can be said
of the thousands of other extremely important components found in breastmilk
but NOT PRESENT in baby formula. Just adding a new component here and there
is not the same as getting formula to "more closely mimic natural breast
milk."  If you travel from Maine to Massachusetts you are closer to Hawaii,
but not by much.

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
LA Breastfeeding MediaWatch Coordinator
3408 Acorn Dr
Violet LA
[log in to unmask]
504-682-2966