Mary Belle Coutts alerted us to the latest hype on DHA and lactation. I think the reporter in question is referring to an electronic article in the January 2003 issue of Pediatrics entitled, "Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children's IQ at 4 years of age," by Helland et al. This can be freely downloaded at www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/111/1/e39. It is always interesting to read the actual study done on a small number of mother baby pairs. The mothers were supplemented with cod liver oil during pregnancy (vs corn oil) and for the first 3 months postpartum. Intake of DHA during pregnancy was the only variable of statistical significance for the children's mental processing scores at 4 years of age. Also, the formula companies do not make the fatty acid supplement used in artificial baby milks in the US. Martek makes the fatty acid supplement from fermented microalgae and soil fungus. Two ingredients new to the food chain and the probable cause of some of the reports NABA has been receiving about the explosive diarrhea experienced by some babies who have been given this concoction. One more reason to work hard in 2003 to help mothers and health providers understand that infant formula bears no resemblance to breast milk! Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC Weston, MA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] 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