I'd like to take a poll or get feedback on the curriculums of Baby care
classes,prenatal ones specifically ,,,If you know of educators or program
directors for this topic please feel free to invite them/enlist their
assistance.
   I am trying to a )-include risks of ABM in my prenatal BF class
   AND             b) convince two facilities( where I am employed as an
educator) that the                            above should be included in
prenatal Baby care classes as well.

If you send your responses to DFerr96517  and wouldn't mind my reporting back
to the digest without mentioning locations,just statistics,please indicate
this as well as:

1. Are any risks/potential harms/costs of ABM mentioned in any prenatal
classes?"
(Infant care,Breastfeeding,or part of a childbirth preparation series)

2.If yes,please indicate which risks are taught in which of the above type of
classes:
            A.  Overdilution of formula
            B.   Underdilution
            C.   the question of whether or not chlorine is safe for infants
            D.   Nitrate and bacteria in well water needs to be checked
            E.   Possibility of lead(heavy metals)in city water-per K.Huggins
                  it is estimated that 20% US homes tap water may contain
dangerously
                  high levels( 15 mcg/liter or more).Effects:brain
damage,kidney and
                  nervous system disorders,anemias.
            F.Tap water in buildings less than 5 years old are likely to have
high lead
                levels because the mineral deposits that usually build up
haven't had a
                chance to do so yet (This is noted to be especially so if
water is soft.)
            G  Boiling the water when there is lead in it actually increases
the
                 concentration of lead.
            H.  Water softeners can lead to high sodium levels and feeding an
ill child
                  from this can worsen dehydration.
             I.   Babies often drop their bottles and stick them back quickly
into their mouths,plus whatever germs were where the bottle fell, or animal
hair for that matter.
             J. ALL OTHER RISKS,especially health concerns as outlined in the
ILCA
                 Position Paper on Hazards of Infant Formulas

Thank you most sincerely,
Denise Ferrell,BSN,IBCLC
Near Indianapolis,Indiana..          I'd like to report the results by end of
Nov.95
 l