Paul,
Though I agree that iron sequestration by lactoferrin is only one component of
the immunological picture of human milk, but I think it is an important one.
Studies of infant botulism show the worst outcomes (sudden death) for
exclusively artificially fed infants; the best outcomes for exclusively
breastfed kids, and intermediate morbidity for breastfed infants supplemented
with iron.
        We need to avoid the all-too-human capacity for extremism, so that we
treat the anemic mother, while preserving the perfect balance of breastmilk
for the well baby.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  [log in to unmask]