Letters to the editor

I read the letter from Leslie on soy formula [May/June 2002]. The article she refers to and criticizes was very important for me [Soy Based Baby Formula Safe, Nov/Dec 2001]. Let me tell you why. The assumption in Leslie's letter is that women either breastfeed exclusively or resort to formula only. That basic premise is wrong. I have nursed both my children. However, I also happen to suffer from a low supply problem which has meant that, in spite of monumental efforts--the use of galactogenic herbs, cutting out all foods that may hamper supply, and setting the alarm at 4 a.m. every night to pump milk for the next day--I still have to supplement a little formula (4-6 oz. a day) via a supplemental feeding device, which avoids bottles and helps stimulate milk production. For many other women I have encountered via an Internet email-list on this subject, even more than that must be supplemented. The reason may be insufficient glandular tissue, a hormonal problem, a bad latch in the early weeks, or it might simply be unknown as in my own case. Some women also have to return to a workplace or work situation that does not allow for pumping during the day and that, too, may oblige them to supplement with formula. It is a particularly difficult situation for a vegan woman. With my first child I was very open about the low supply problem. The result: on the one hand, non-vegetarians would often imply that the low supply had something to do with my diet, while the vegans around me would imply that I really wasn't trying hard enough and that everyone could breastfeed if they put enough effort into it (as per Leslie's letter). It was all very hurtful. I hung on for almost a year of nursing in these conditions and finally gave up. When I became pregnant with my second baby, I was afraid I might encounter the same problem, and that is why your article on soy formula was so important to me. I hate having to supplement, but if I must, I would rather use a non-dairy formula. But I have had constant doubts about that due to the bad press soy formula has received, and it was good to know that the report you mentioned had given it a clean sheet. As it happens, I have encountered a low supply problem again, although not as bad this time around. We're still going strong, still supplementing a little, and still pumping every night. Believe it or not, I haven't told anyone about the supplementing this time, because it was so discouraging to be told by the vegans around me that I could do better, when they have no idea how hard it is to cope with a situation in which you are already striving to produce every drop of milk and feeling like a failure. It's ridiculous but true. There is precious little support given to women with supply problems in many areas of the country. I would love to see the vegan community embrace the fact that, for some women, a certain amount of formula feeding is a necessity, and help us deal with a situation that is fraught with problems and worries. I was particularly concerned about the GMO content of soy formula be fore finally finding an organic product. Now I'm facing claims by some "researchers" that soy formula could lead to ADHD or even violence in adolescents due to its manganese content. I'm sure the soy bashers will promote another piece of research soon. I hope that you will get the opportunity to address this issue some time in the future. If you do, you will be the first vegetarian source I know of to have offered support and recognized that some women truly cannot breastfeed exclusively. Vegan mothers in my situation would be very appreciative. As it is, Leslie's letter, although well meaning, did us a great disservice. I actually do understand what Leslie was getting at. I find the pushiness and marketing ploys of the big three formula companies to be quite offensive. I was bombarded with free samples during my pregnancy, and those companies are much to blame for the relatively low rate of long-term nursing in [the U.S.]. The one organic formula that is available for infants in the US (Nature's Own) is litt le known by moms precisely because the company is ethically opposed to aggressively marketing formulas for infants since they don't wish to be seen as discouraging breastfeeding in any way. Thanks again for your wonderful magazine.

Name Withheld

I have to share this with you. I had a booth in the natural health and healing pavilion of our local Earth Day celebration today. I had brought along a copy of your magazine to show my ad to a friend out there. Well, the magazine stayed on my table, and I cannot tell you how many people looked at it. And I mean stood there and read it for a few minutes. Several people asked if they could have a copy, so I gave them your web address.

Penny Pagani, CA

I had no idea that you were home based! How much work that must be, but I bet it's a blast. Well, I just want to tell you that just upped my respect for you and this magazine about 150 percent! I positively live for your magazine. I'm a one man band Utah. I have never seen (or read) anything quite as comforting. I have been a vegetarian since I was 15. I'm 32 now, and as far as vegetarians go, it's just me and my two-year-old daughter. We are still working on Dad, and your magazine has helped out a lot with that. You guys make me feel like I'm not so weird after all! You will never know how much you enrich people's lives with your magazine.