A few weeks ago, I told you all about an upcoming formula company inviting nurses out to dinner. Below is a summary of the evening. Tonight was the Mead Johnson Infant Formula Lecture Presentation and dinner for staff from several medical facilities in the area. It was a packed house at DiMillo's Floating Restaurant. Lobster or Steak dinner, wine and beer, cocktails. The presenter was Glenn Kaplin MD, Neonatology Chief at Mainline Hospital System in PA (? public speaking for DHA X 4 years) I do not have a copy of the presentation. He opened saying Breastmilk is the "Gold standard" used for years, but ... He presented a slide show comparing plasma levels of DHA vs breast milk DHA levels around the world. And how variable breastmilk DHA levels were depending upon where you lived. USA being the lowest or almost lowest. Studies followed children to 2-4 yrs. NEW DHA formula fed infants had 3-6% IQ point inprovement from their old formula and Similac, ? breastmilk comparison (wish I had copy of charts) DHA linked with pediatric outcomes, enhanced growth, visual acuity, neurodevelopment . Points of emphasis ***In Formula you can load more, and control amounts of DHA, therefore get better outcomes than with Human Milk. Not stated exactly that way, but stated none the less. OH, wait, that is unless you take the DHA capsules to improve your sub-standard breastmilk that is. He said the surviving miner in that mine accident was pumped full of DHA by his physician and feels it made a significant difference in his recovery. A list of other upcoming studies to support the wonders of DHA & ARA. He brought up an old formula (SMA) that was popular a few years ago. He said it was actually more like mothers milk (curds and whey). "and those babies spit up all the time"..........suggesting that breast milk makes babies spit up all the time. Near closing he brought up how some pedi and hospitals are all wanting to do something called "baby friendly" as he made a face of disgust, and he asked all.....do you REALLY think that formula bags are going to change a mother's mind about breastfeeding? Common now. The crowd answered, emphatically "NO". We had a ralley going on here. If I didn't hear/see what I did with my own ears, I would have doubted it was so. My visual acuity has just been improved. I've seen enough. Roni Carter RNC, IBCLC *********************************************** 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