Did anyone see the 48 hours special on Down Syndrome last night? Not a WORD about breastfeeding benefits for these kids. I have a mom in my practice that has been nursing +2 years. the first 6 months or so she intermittently used a Haberman feeder and pumped to boost supply but NEVER gave her child formula. She is still breastfeeding and intends to continue as long as the child is interested believing in the superiority of breast milk as brain food. She has also begun giving her child the supplement discussed Peracetam and Neutravine-D as well as flaxseed oil for a dry skin condition. She says baby has improved. Interestingly, she was interviewed for local TV news. Although the 48 hours program was a balanced program, the local show touted the benefits of the drugs without mention of the questioning of possible side effects or lack of proven efficacy. I know she spoke about benefits of breastfeeding the Down's child but that was cut out. Only her comments about the supplements were included. The 48 hours program showed new parents giving supplement in formula. If this supplement is so great, why don't they mention breastmilk as the most important nutrient? If I had the ability, I'd write 48 hours myself and ask them that question. Of course, they were really interested in the topic of giving unapproved medication supplement to kids and the hype around that and the mother who is pushing its use on the Internet. Has anyone else out there heard about this or any of their clients using this with their babies? Supposedly the Downs Foundation (I'm not sure of which actual organization) is going to try to conduct a double-blind study to determine its true effectiveness. Wouldn't it be nice if someone were able to conduct the same about breastfeeding? But can you imagine how you would conduct a double blind study on breastmilk benefits? That's the trouble with all research on humans, no matter what the research may show, when you are treating individuals its all a matter of trial and error. That's why they call it the PRACTICE of medicine. No flame intended. mailto: Jane Kershaw [log in to unmask]