Karen,

 I definitely would have the mother keep a food diary.  Depending on how
allergic the baby is to milk protein, she may need to quit using margarine (I
think there is 1 brand that has Willow in the name that has no milk protein)
and to read her labels for casein and whey additives.  A quick and dirty way
to give the instruction is to tell her that if it doesn't grow, don't eat it!
 That should get rid of most processed foods that might have milk added.

I have had a TON of people into heavy denial this week, so it would not
surprise me if she THINKS she is avoiding milk but eating cheese.

Kathleen:

Please don't ship any of those medical people up here to Dayton (home of the
physician who prescribed antibiotics for colostrum in a pregnant woman--he
thought it looked like pus!)

Today at my "talk" with the FP residents, several said that they didn't know
much about breastfeeding and worried that their colleagues who did not have
children would know even less.  I told them that I thought it was a shame
that physicians are expected to learn about breastfeeding from PERSONAL
experience only!  Imagine how competent our physicians would be if they had
to personally experience everything they treat-- yikes!

It was interesting to me to see the response when I brought up making money
(I learned a long time ago that people tune in to station WIIFM when they
attend any educational event -- that stands for "what's in it for me?"  They
acted like I was the first person to ever talk to them about managed care,
capitation, etc. Maybe I was too bold to bring it up and they did not want to
include me as I was an "outsider".)

I've been reading a tremendous book that many of you might enjoy.  It is
called "Reviving Ophelia, Saving the selves of adolescent girls" by Mary
Pipher PhD.  From a cultural perspective, I am finding it gives me alot of
insight that I think will help when working with the teens I see.  Body
image, intellect, sex and violence are all covered.

On that note, good night!
Queen Braah Zeer (who was unable to access the Lactnet page for some reason
tonight)