I have not read this article, but one of the problems with the promotion of
oral rehydration solutions (as opposed to oral rehydration), is that it is
being promoted aggressively *in addition* to breastfeeding.  Now, in most
affluent societies, it is unusual for a breastfeeding baby, especially an
exclusively breastfeeding baby to get so ill with gastroenteritis that he
will require anything *in addition* to breastfeeding.

But, and it may be no surprise to anyone on Lactnet, the oral "rehydration"
solutions, are being aggressively promoted by both physicians and the
companies that make them (formula companies) as "medicine".  As a treatment
for diarrhea and vomiting.  But they aren't.  They are for maintaining
hydration (not for rehydration, as they do not have as much sodium for
rehydration, as the WHO oral rehydration solution does), something
breastfeeding alone will usually do quite fine.  But here in Canada, the
pamphlets (made by formula companies, and approved by the ever compliant
Canadian Pediatric Society) say "at the first sign of diarrhea" start oral
rehydration solution.  Now what exactly is diarrhea in an exclusively
breastfed baby is not so easy to define, is it?  And to use oral rehydration
solution "at the first sign of diarrhea" is patently absurd, though
obviously not in the eyes of the pediatricians who like their buddy buddy
relationships with the formula companies.

Don't get me wrong.  I am a great believer in oral rehydration.  But as with
all tools, it is being overused, to the detriment of breastfeeding babies.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC