If it were the renal solute load, then we shouldn't give six month old
babies solids either.  All the reasons are pretty well to do with
marketing of formula.  The fact that babies "need" iron in their
formulas "requires" that babies get formula to a year.  Oh, I just
feel sick.

In Europe they have formulas for toddlers to three years of age.  I
have mentioned this before, but I will quote you from a French
magazine from 1995, in an article on milk for the baby.  It is in
question and answer format with a "pediatrician".

"After a year of age, you can use cow's milk.

"Answer: FALSE. Of course, it is better to give cow's milk than no
source of calcium at all.  But a "toddler formula" (lait de
croissance) is much more complete for the child up until 3 years of
age, better adapted to his nutritional equilibrium".

Which just goes to show that you can convince some pediatricians of
anything!  And not just any pediatrician, but a pediatrician
(niaiseux!!) from L'Hôpital des Enfants Malades in Paris.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC