Guest Column: Article promoting infant formula denies value of breastfeeding
By Dawn Russell, RN, BSN, IBCLC
This column is being written in response to an article in the March 7-13 Rock River Times titled “New infant formula ingredients boost babies’ immunity by feeding their gut bacteria.” The article cites two studies done at the University of Illinois about adding prebiotics and probiotics to infant formula. Both studies were clearly funded by Nestlé, which is a company that manufactures infant formula.
In the article, they minimize the benefits of breastfeeding by stating that adding these substances makes the formula more like breast milk. Formula is not like breast milk. It is, in fact, a far inferior substitute for breast milk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, World Health Organization, among other groups, and the Surgeon General of the United States, recommend breastfeeding as the normal and first choice for feeding infants. There is abundant scientific evidence supporting breastfeeding as the healthful norm for mothers and babies.
In our culture, the idea that formula is “almost the same” as breast milk is false. Breast milk is an ever-changing substance that contains more than 400 ingredients that cannot be duplicated in a factory. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, and provides the perfect nutrition for the baby’s ever-changing needs. It contains active antibodies to protect the baby from germs, and it is never contaminated. Breast milk contains growth factors to promote proper growth.
Babies who are fed only breast milk have less risk of pneumonia, ear infections and diarrhea. They also have a lower risk of obesity, asthma, some cancers and several intestinal diseases. Babies who get breast milk have a decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. They have fewer cavities and better oral and speech development. They have documented increased IQ with higher reading, math and overall scholastic ability. The health effects last into adulthood.
There are many benefits to mothers who breastfeed as well. Studies show mothers who breastfeed have fewer female cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and anemia. Parents get more sleep when babies are breastfed. Breastfeeding is truly easier than mixing formula, washing bottles, and the milk is free! Formula is very expensive, costing taxpayers, who pay for “free” formula from government programs, millions of dollars each year.
Breastfeeding is more than just nutrition, it is comforting the baby at the same time. Breast milk is human milk for human babies. It has the correct balance of nutrients as well as vitamins and minerals that are more easily absorbed.
“Good bacteria” in the stomach and intestines is established by infants receiving colostrums, the milk that is present in the first few days of life. This early breast milk contains oligosaccarides and immune-boosting factors that prepare the baby’s system for future feedings and set up the proper balance of good bacteria. A baby’s immune system is compromised at one week of age if the baby does not get this vital first breast milk. Studies show formula, even one bottle, leads to an inflammatory response. In the studies cited in the article, they fed the formula with prebiotics and probiotics to infants at age six weeks, well past the critical first week.
This article is simply an advertisement for the formula company. Artificial baby milk (a.k.a. formula) has become the way many people view as the normal way to feed infants. But in fact, breastfeeding has been the normal way to feed infants for thousands of years. Most women are able to breastfeed successfully with the support of Board Certified Lactation Consultants, La Leche League and other trained professionals.
We at the Northern Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force, promote, support and defend breastfeeding as the best choice of infant feeding. For further information, we can be found on Facebook.
Dawn Russell, RN, BSN, IBCLC is a member of the Northern Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force.
From the May 9-15, 2012, issue
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2 Comments
While breastfeeding is best and should always be the goal, that shouldn’t keep companies like Nestle from trying to improve their product as much as possible. There are women that cannot breastfeed and others that choose not to breastfeed. Those women should still have a safe, nutritious alternative that they can feel confident feeding their baby. Research like the studies funded by Nestle aren’t going to be done by the government or other private organizations because it costs money. Industry has the resources, and the incentive, to pursue studies like this to improve their product so they can be more competitive.
As to the claim breastfeeding is free, which is used time and again by breastfeeding activists (most of whom are lactation consultants trying to make money just like the infant formula companies)- Study after study has shown how women, and particularly women with children, earn less than their male counterparts.
For example the most recent Rippeyoung study, “Is breastfeeding truly free?: The economic consequences of breastfeeding for women.” The study concluded that breastfeeding “can lead to lower earnings in the short-term and may also affect long-term economic prospects by reducing mothers’ prospects for promotions or raises.”
Breastfeeding should always be the goal, but many women in America do not have the economic luxury to stay out of the work force or take more breaks during the work day. Instead of spending resources fighting the infant formula companies- which is a losing battle, we should be fighting for better workplace conditions and family leave. Changes to these policies, more than anything else, would increase the breastfeeding rates and help support all American families.
Congratulations to dawn Russell for writing the article,
and to CHRISTI on commenting
“we should be fighting for better workplace conditions and family leave. Changes to these policies, more than anything else, would increase the breastfeeding rates and help support all American families.”
As a representative of a probiotics manufacturing company ,I would like to state the following NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING WILL EVER COME CLOSE TO HUMAN BREAST MILK NOTHING.
I respectfully disagree with CHRISTI on one point
re breastfeeding.
BREAST FEEDING IS FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE .
Thank you
ROBERT BESON
PROGURT