>The link between cow's milk antigen exposure in the first year and IDDM is >still controversial--originally thought to be the reason formula fed >babies had higher rates, but a study in the last year (published in NEJM >or JAMA, I think) showed that the antigen did not seem to make a >difference. The *epidemiologic* >information that, for whatever reason, formula fed babies have a higher >incidence of diabetes is still "true" and has not been "disproved. I read this study (don't know if I still have the copy or not) but the question I had was I wondered if they controlled for how much cows milk the breastfeeding mothers ingested. I know I have had at least one BF mother that could partially control the presence of ear effusion and infection by her ingestion or avoidance of cows milk in her diet. My hypothesis is that if the mother's drank alot of cow's milk some of the proteins could still get passed to the infants so the protective effect of the BM would be somewhat muted. It seems that some of the BF skeptics want to have it both ways Don't talk that drug because you are breastfeeding and the baby might get some and yet on the other hand deny the possibility that mom's diet could influence the child. Jon Ahrendsen MD Clarion Iowa