|
Home
> Nutrition > Milk
What should I know about infant formula?
Parents consider giving their babies formula for many reasons.
In the vast majority of cases, formula is not medically necessary
- moms use it purely by choice. At other times, mom may believe
that her milk supply
is low (and thus think that formula is needed) when her
supply is just fine. If you feel that your baby genuinely has a
need for formula supplementation (or your baby's doctor has suggested
or recommended it), then contact a lactation consultant (preferably
IBCLC) for guidance. A good lactation consultant can assess the
need for supplementation and guide you in the use of supplements
so as to preserve the nursing relationship. Here is some information
on how to find a lactation
consultant.
Keep in mind that formula does come with its own set of risks,
and every mother needs to be aware of those so she can make a truly
informed decision on whether to use it or not. The use of formula
can, and often does, sabatage and/or shorten the nursing relationship,
not to mention the various health risks.
I do not want to imply that breastfeeding has to be "all or
nothing" - any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial
to both mom and baby. I do, however, want moms to be informed on
this issue, as most are not nearly as aware of these risks as they
need to be.
Many knowledgable authors have put together information on this
subject, and I really don't think I can say it better than they
can. So following are some links to information on the infant formula.
Articles by Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Articles on infant formula (health effects)
- Did
you know that just one bottle can have serious consequences for
both the mother and baby? from the San Diego County Breastfeeding
Coalition
- The
Case for the Virgin Gut: Even the Occasional Bottle of Formula
Has Its Risks by Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC
- Breastfeeding and
Public Health from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
- What
Breastmilk Has That Formulas Don't by Jennifer Rebecca Thomas,
MD, FAAP, IBCLC
- Opinion
adopted by the BIOHAZ Panel of the European Food Safety Authority
related to the microbiological risks in infant formulae and follow-on
formulae, 23 November 2004
- The
deadly influence of formula in America By Dr. Linda Folden
Palmer.
"This groundbreaking analysis from noted author, health educator
and advocate Dr. Linda Folden Palmer is the first time a health
expert has published an examination of the available scientific
research comparing the death rates of formula-fed and breastfed
babies. While the results hold no surprises for breastfeeding
educators and advocates, the study may prove to be a rude awakening
for the millions of Americans who have bought into the myth that
infant formula is a perfectly safe breast milk substitute."
- Hot
Milk: The unbottled truth about formula by John Hoffman, from
TodaysParent.com
- What
Every Parent Should Know About Infant Formula by Katie Allison
Granju
- Commercial
Production of Artificial Baby Milk by Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC
- The
Risks of Infant Formula Feeding from the Breastfeeding Task
Force of Greater Los Angeles
- Financial
costs of not breastfeeding @
- FDA
information on infant formula. Did you know that infant formulas
are not FDA- approved? Per the FDA,
"The law does not require that FDA
approve infant formulas but instead requires companies to provide
certain information to FDA before they market new infant formulas.
Manufacturers must provide assurances that they are following
good manufacturing practices and quality control procedures and
that the formula will allow infants to thrive. If such assurances
are not provided, FDA will object to the manufacturer's marketing
of the formula; however, the manufacturer may market the new infant
formula over FDA's objection."
- Information
on the Hazards of Not Breastfeeding from the National Alliance
for Breastfeeding Advocacy
- Risks of
Artificial Feeding Reference Sheet by Jack Newman, MD
Formula Marketing
Information from breastfeeding advocacy
& formula industry watchdog groups
- IBFAN (The International
Baby Food Action Network) works to achieve universal implementation
of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly
and to encourage all appropriate parties to abide by them.
- National
Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy NABA REAL functions to
educate the public, state and federal legislators, policymakers,
government agencies, and the health care system about breastfeeding
and the hazards of not breastfeeding.
Need to use formula?
Here are some specifics...
- Q&A:
Formula choice for a highly allergic baby by Dr. Linda Folden
Palmer
- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Hypoallergenic
Infant Formulas (Policy Statement). Pediatrics. 2000 Aug;106(2):346-349.
Note: Formulas can be labeled hypoallergenic
if 90% of infants with documented cow's milk allergy will not
react to the formula. This means that up to 10% of babies with
cow's milk allergy may be allergic to a hypoallergenic formula.
Soy Formula
Page last modified:
07/29/2005
Written:12/01/2001
|
