>She informed me that the formula companies have added DHA because
> >breastmilk doesn't have sufficient amounts for babies.

>What???!!!
>I't's been in breastmilk all along, that's why they're working so hard
>to put it in formula so it can be "even closer to breastmilk"  Is this
>another case of "put more in formula to be sure baby can get enough to
>use, then turn around and blame breastmilk because it has less"?  Come
>on now.

You can search the archives for prior discussions of this topic.  Studies of
DHA and ARA levels in human milk show wide variation in how much is in the
milk of women from different countries.  Women in the US have very low
levels of DHA/ARA compared to women from other places (as I recall, the
comparison groups were in Europe and South America).  Thus, the 'langauge'
about US mothers not having enough DHA to meet their babies' needs, based on
a typical US maternal diet low in these polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Martek, the main US company producing these oils for addition to formula, is
also aggressively marketing them to pregnant and lactating women in the US
and says that they expect the 'pregnant/lactating women' market to
eventually end up being twice as big as the formula market.  They have given
out samples of their supplements for mothers at breastfeeding conferences in
the past.

Currently, only 5% of the world's formula is fortified with DHA/ARA and none
of the US formula.  Both of the leading formula manufacturers in the US have
announced that they will start adding Martek's oils to US formulas this
spring.

DHA supplements for young children have been sold for years in Japan.  Check
the early LactNet archives for discussion of "Intelligent Choice" or
Tuna-Fish Eye Socket Fat and you'll probably find those posts.

Kathy Dettwyler


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