Heather, your message about ABMs and how they are (not) marketed in the UK
was really informative.  What really caught my eye though was, "Enfamil
Lactofree is promoted as a milk to try before going on to soy (which is not
used all that much here;  fears of kidney problems and phytoestrogen content
have led to official advice to steer clear unless unavoidable)"

Can you elaborate?  The reason I ask is that our medical aid societies
(health insurers) reimburse parents for the cost of soy formulas if they are
prescribed by a doctor - usually on a diagnosis of "lactose intolerance"
(which we all know occurs in 1:20 000 - 200 000 births!) or "cow's milk
allergy".  But in effect this formula is available on prescription "on
demand".  I see all sorts of problems with this, from possible Code
violations (this is a formula subsidy) to promotion of one type of formula
over another, to the fears you mention above.  It would be nice to "share"
with our medical aid societies the official advice you mention.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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