Kathy has asked about how we could "prove" that a baby with runny stools is experiencing a side effect of DHA/ARA supplemented formula. The option always exists to have the mother pump her milk and use that rather than formula. If the mother is unwilling or unable to pump enough milk, she could use a formula without the added DHA/ARA or one with only a minimal amount and see if that makes a difference. NABA began receiving reports of this problem from nurses when these formulas were being given in the maternity unit prior to discharge. I have written a couple of pieces on this from past issues of the NABA newsletter and would certainly be happy to forward these to people who are interested in this topic. Some mothers are being duped into thinking that their own milk is deficient in DHA/ARA and use the supplemented formula "just in case." I just saw this in a home visit I made. A can of Enfamil Lipil was sitting on the counter and the mother told me they would use it (it came in the hospital discharge bag) "just in case" I could not fix the breastfeeding problem! The runny stools most likely have the potential to eliminate fat soluble vitamins and other nutrients and certainly throw off diaper counts. Most of us rely on diaper counts as one of the criteria for assessing adequate intake. You can report this problem to the FDA's MedWatch program when you encounter it with a mother/baby pair. You don't actually need to see the diaper. Go to _www.fda.gov_ (http://www.fda.gov) and click on the MedWatch program. There is a form for clinicians to use to electronically submit the report. Make sure you also report this to the formula manufacturer as they are obligated to keep complaints on file. The claims being made about these formulas are highly misleading and affecting many mothers' decision regarding breastfeeding and especially exclusive breastfeeding. The Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division is another place to file a complaint about false and misleading advertising if you find that mothers are telling you that formula is equivalent to breast milk or when you see ads that claim this. The Federal Trade Commission also has complaint forms available online at _www.ftc.gov_ (http://www.ftc.gov) . All mothers and clinicians should be advised that runny stools and other GI side effects are a possibility with these formulas, especially the ones that contain the most DHA/ARA. Side effects of this additive were noted in animal studies very early on in the testing phase of the product. Steatorrhea (fat loss in the stools) was a side effect seen in animal testing. Makes you wonder what we are putting into babies and why some people so blindly accept that infant formula use is not without risk. Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC Weston, MA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html