>I am looking for your opinions about what you would advise a mother to feed
her baby if she were to abruptly wean at 6 months.  What is the healthiest
(or least harmful) breastmilk substitute?
(1) a follow-on commercially prepared formula
(2) home-prepared formula (the "mix" is 100ml cow's milk, 50ml water, 10g
sugar)
(3) full strength cow's milk, with separate drinks of water occasionally?
(4) perhaps no milk at all - just increase the weaning foods, and give
water?<


Pamela, I don't claim to know whether the first option in your list is
better than the other three, however, I understood that, even at 6 months,
the tinned stuff made for babies -- that is newborns -- is better than the
follow-on milks.  My understanding is that follow-on offers more of a mark
up and is sold with the assumption that it will be part of a diet with
nourishing solid foods.  The earlier formulations are at least intended to
provide a 'complete' nutrition package.  I don't think you could ever grow a
child on follow-on milk alone.

BTW, did this researcher ask any of the women in the situation in which the
research will be conducted their opinions?

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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