FROM: Sturgess, Frances Coulter
TO:[log in to unmask]
SUBJECT: milk for one-year olds(long)
DATE: 03-25-97   14:22 EST
PRIORITY:


Someone asked what nutritionists think kids should drink--hooray Dr. Dettwyler
for jumping in and expressing concern about lack of breastmilk substitutes.

But--Fish shaped capsules ( like little fishy crackers?) Sometimes I am
embarrased  to be from California...I presume these are not meant to be
swallowed.  I am also reminded of "brussels sprout" capsules, sold a few years
ago---amounted to about half a sprout per capsule...granted DHA concentrates
better than that (I suppose)  WHY not just feed your kid the fish???

  As a Registered Dietitian, I too would be concerned about a milkfree diet
for children, and no, I do not take money from the Dairy Council...In fact,
the more I see on Lactnet, the more I am wondering whether the medical
establishment is right in urging weaning to Cows Milk at one year for ABM
babies..  (AAP still think it is OK at 6 mo) Maybe we should be writing to
have that extended. Maybe then they would also promote brfdg for two years.

Whether this  1 year recommendaiton is a cost issue (ABM is $$$$!!!) or just
ignorance or successful marketing by the dairy industry, I do not claim to
know.  Certainly the ABM co.s give credence to the "followup Formula" idea
because it makes them money.  That there is research to support the need, I do
not know either.  I presume they are not marketing it without *some* backing,
even if the AAP thinks it is unnecessary.

I am concerned, though that dairy allergies may be getting overplayed here.  I
would not deny that dairy allergies exist, but though it is possible to be a
vegan (no flesh, no eggs, no animal milk) and live well, I would hope most who
practice this would also be practicing extended breastfeeding, and the milk
issue would be moot.  Without dairy foods in the diet, and without extended
nursing (or whatever you want to call it) it is difficult for a child to get
all the protein and calories and nutrients for optimal growth ("as we know
it", ok, ok, what's optimal...) because their stomach capacity is limited and
milks are a nutrient and calorie dense food.

I have this picture in mind of hunter/gatherers becoming herders/farmers and
dairy foods being a staple item in many (obviously not all) societies.

Do women nurse longer where there are no dairy animals?  Or just feed them
more "pottage", "beikost"  rice soups, etc etc instead?

Are the children healthier?  Perhaps I am wrong but I know focus group studies
of sooutheast Asian immigrants indicate a desire to use ABM because they see
big bouncing healthy "American" babies (most of whom, statistically were ABM
fed...) and their babies born overseas  were smaller/thinner (for a variety of
reasons, Im sure).


Perhaps Dr. Dettwyler or others also have data regarding the rate of
consumption of animal milk products on a global and historical basis.