Dawn writes "several pedi's. are telling moms that they have to include
cow's milk by a year into the baby's diet
since breastmilk lacks an essential protein."

Um, like which one?

Human milk does not have beta-lactoglobulin which is in cow milk. Beta-lac
is the bovine (foreign) protein primarily responsible for allergies to cow
milk. Baby humans don't need it, or it would have been in their mothers'
milk in the first place.

Human milk has alpha-lactalbumin in abundance, which is ideal for brain
growth and other functions unique to humans. Cow milk does not have
alpha-lac. Baby cows don't need it, or it would have been in their mothers'
milk in the first place.

IMHO, whoever is telling moms this stuff need to take a course on milk
biochemistry/nutrition. Where are HIS references???

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com