For those who have access to LLLI LEAVEN, when I was the Research Review Committee Coordinator, I published an article entitled: "TO Breastfeed or Not: PKU, Galactosemia, Other Rare Disorders and Possible Misdiagnosis." LEAVEN Aug/Sept 1998: pp. 78-79. In this article, I state that PKU does not preclude bf, but galactosemia does. Following publication of this, there has been some evidence suggesting that if the infant is monitored closely, even galactosemia babies might be bf candidates. Indeed, it is truly a rare situation that contraindicates breastfeeding. IMNSHO, the data are not entirely clear for HIV, especially in developing nations where the infant mortality rate for formula-fed infants is 2.9/3.0 (Dettwyller). Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask] mom, wife, educator, lactation consultant, researcher, scientist, author, organic gardener, photographer, lapidary creator, lousy cleaner. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html