Mr. Flack,
As a breastfeeding supporter and activist I would like to commend you on  
bringing this issue of formula feeding into the mainstream news.  I hope  that in 
a follow-up report you might mention the risks of formula feeding for  ALL 
children as they are many and common.
Babies who are breastfed never need worry about powder versus liquid,  
preparation or brain damage.  I grieve for this family, who could have done  so much 
to INCREASE their daughter's health by providing breastmilk for Ashley,  had 
someone at the hospital encouraged and supported her mother.  
Although most children do not suffer from long term, obvious disabilities  
because of formula use, most children do suffer some sort of ill effect from not 
 being breastfed.  The United States has had such low breastfeeding rates  
for so long that illnesses that are not normal are now so common that we think  
of them as normal.  Most people assume their child will have one or more  ear 
infections before their first birthday.  If that child is not breastfed  then 
they are probably correct, if they do breastfeed they are much more likely  to 
be mistaken.  That is just one example of hundreds.
I would be happy to supply you with sources, articles, studies and the  like, 
not the least of which is the controversy last year over the release of  the 
Department of Health and Human Services Breastfeeding Ad Campaign, developed  
with the Ad Council and changed due to pressure from the Baby Formula  
Industry.  In addition there is a world-wide boycott on Nestle products due  to their 
unethical marketing practices of baby formula.  Check out their  web site and 
click on the link "if you are outside the United States and  Canada".  Why is 
the information different if you aren't in the U.S. and  Canada?  Because 
there is the World Health Organization's 'Code of Ethics  of Marketing Infant 
Breastmilk Substitutes', which every major formula  manufacturer agreed to.  
Since there is no legislation in the US or Canada  to enforce this Code then the 
marketing practices have not changed here.   Sad but true, again we see big 
companies profiting on the heads of children and  their parents.
There is plenty of evidenced-based medicine and loads of research to  support 
everything I have written here and more.  This is the next "tobacco  
industry" reform waiting to happen.  Get in on the cutting edge of  informing the 
public now while the iron is hot.
Regards,
Christie Pillado
El Paso, Texas

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