Regarding the WIC mom who was told to stop giving the baby breastmilk
due to low calcium levels - I think some pieces of the puzzle are missing.
Why were they checking calcium levels in this newborn?  What else is
wrong with the baby?

The only cases of low calcium levels I've seen have been in infants with
DiGeorge Syndrome.  These infants need therapeutic levels of calcium
supplements but can still receive breastmilk.  Other factors associated
with a low calcium include low magnesium, low albumin or vitamin D
deficiency.  These would be very unusual in a newborn.  Rickets may
also present with low calcium but is not usually seen till the baby is older.

To think that the infant's low calcium had anything to do with mom's
intake of dairy during pregnancy seems highly unlikely.  I would advise
the mother to continue pumping and saving the milk until she received
more information from the doctor.  She is definitely entitled to an
explanation.  Encourage this mom to challenge the doctor!

Rachelle Lessen, RD, IBCLC
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia