I posted originally about the "letter" and posters sent out by Dr. Sears to
physicians.
Apparently this is part of a larger advertising campaign. I do respect Dr.
Sears, which is why I was so disappointed to find this stuff in my mailbox in
the first place.
I understand the concerns about the American diet and dietary fatty acid
intake. Maybe I'm sensitized to this because I also received a "letter"
(obviously mass-mailed, but computer personalized) a couple of months ago
from a dietitian very excited about the likely upcoming addition of DHA to
formula. Now, somebody paid for that mailing, and I doubt it was the
dietitian herself, on a personal campaign to educate physicians about DHA. I
think the formula companies are getting ready to market the new formulas very
aggressively to physicians. And then I get this from Dr. Sears, also
mentioning the upcoming improvement of U.S. formulas.
I'll be glad when the FDA approves adding DHA to ABM, but now I'm worried
that once again breastfeeding will be portrayed as "inadequate" (without some
dietary supplement) or not to be trusted. And gee, if you have to remember to
take some extra supplement, wouldn't it be easier to just formula feed in the
first place? Especially since the expert says the "best thing in Mother's
milk" has been added to the formula?
Sears quote,"The best thing in Mother's milk" trivializes all the other
benefits of breastfeeding, which I know he is aware of.
Jennifer Cox, M.D.

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