Stephanie,

I am way behind on reading Lactnet, so perhaps others have already
responded to your situation.  A helpful new article on the harm of early
supplements is:

Hill PD, Humenick SS, Brennan ML, Woolley D.  Does early supplementation
affect long-term breastfeeding? Clinical Pediatrics 1997;345-350, (June
issue).

I've got the article here, but it doesn't have the vol. number on it anywhere.
Sorry about that.

The study followed two groups of 120 and 223 mothers for 20 weeks
postpartum.  Those who were exclusively breastfeeding at 2 weeks had rates
of 63% and 59.7% still breastfeeding at 20 weeks.  Those who were
supplementing with formula at 2 weeks had rates of only 28.1% and 24.2%
still breastfeeding at 20 weeks.  All had the same initial intentions for
duration of breastfeeding.

"Early introduction of supplemental bottles of artificial milks is
associated with a decrease in the amount of human milk the infant receives
as well as with early weaning."

"Our results are in direct opposition to literature from Ross Laboratories,
which suggests that early supplementation with artificial milks does not
interfere with long-term breastfeeding."

I have a feeling, though, that the physician you describe does not wish to
be bothered with facts.  His mind is made up.  You can share this article
with parents and hospital or clinic staff, though.

Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC and LLL leader in Madison, WI
e-mail address:  [log in to unmask]