Re: the 11-month-old slow-gaining baby. Some of the symptoms described also are seen in infants and toddlers with zinc deficiency and/or poor zinc utilization. Slow growth, poor or slow hair growth, slow wound healing, and differences in saliva production (I think) which correspond to a rejection of some food textures, and a dislike of many food tastes all may be seen in some children with zinc absorption/utilization or availability problems. However, in one anecdotal case without laboratory confirmation of a zinc deficiency, I have seen all these symptoms resolve in time with continued availability of a variety of nutritious foods and continued breastfeeding. The child in this case is now a healthy 11-year-old with no signs of any nutritional problem (and still very selective -"picky"- about food selections). Ruth Lawrence has written about the bioavailability of zinc in human milk, which often offers protection for a child who otherwise would be more symptomatic.