The Deadly Influence of Formula: An Update

As a new mother, I have made a number of “new mother” friends. One of our favorite things to do, as new mothers, is to boast and brag about our children’s accomplishments (“He looked at me today – I swear!” or “She was one-fifth of the way to doing a full roll over!”) and talk about child raising. One thing that admittedly drives me wild is that while I’m yanking up my shirt and struggling with undoing the clasp on my breastfeeding bra, the majority of these moms are taking out bottles and feeding their little one’s “complete infant formula”. Why does it seem like I’m the last person on this planet to still be breastfeeding her child?

Engorgement. Cracked nipples. PAIN. With breastfeeding should come a badge of honor, as it certainly isn’t an easy task – especially when it’s on 2-3 hour rotation. But as I remind these new moms, it certainly is a worthwhile one.

There are a lot of numbers out there that very clearly show just how dangerous formula feeding can be. For American children, feeding a baby formula doubles their chance of death (SIDS, cancers, and respiratory illnesses just to name a few). A lot of this data is from up to 10 years ago, but even recently horrifying evidence continues to roll in about the dangers of feeding your infant formula.

In 2002, the FDA warned that the formula Portagen (manufactured by Mead Johnson Ntritionals) could cause Enterobacter sakazakii infections, which in turn can cause necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and meningitis – three diseases that cause numerous infant deaths in the USA per year.

In 2003, the soy-based formula “Remedia” was linked to 3 infant deaths in Israel and several others in critical condition. Soy-based formulas have been creating health issues in infants for a number of years, and only recently have studies been conducted revealing how unnecessary and unsafe this protein is for our babies.

In 2008, the FDA found traces of melamine in thousands of samples of popular US infant formulas (Enfamil LIPIL with Iron and Nestle’s “Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with iron”). At least 3 babies have reportedly needlessly died from exposure to this formula alone, leaving another 50,000 infants ill.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF released a groundbreaking statement in 2001, stating that:

"It has been estimated that improved breastfeeding practices could save some 1.5 million children a year. Yet few of the 129 million babies born each year receive optimal breastfeeding and some are not breastfed at all. Early cessation of breastfeeding in favour of commercial breastmilk substitutes, needless supplementation, and poorly timed complementary practices are still too common. Professional and commercial influences combine to discourage breastfeeding, as do continued gaps in maternity legislation." --Unicef, “State of the World’s Children 2001

Health organizations have, for several years, deemed formula and supplementary feeding “inappropriate” and “unsafe”; however big corporations with deep pockets continue to market their formulas and supplements, now moving on to 3rd World consumers. A markedly increased infant death rate has been seen in these nations due to the decrease of breast milk consumption – and yet we continue to pay their wages, innocently believing that we are doing what’s best for our children.

The truth is that some parents need to use formula in order to supply their infant with food; but the truth also is that many mothers do not try enough. Too many mothers abandon breastfeeding after their infant’s first few weeks of life, right at the time when he or she desperately needs it for survival. Can’t stand the pain? Consult a lactation expert (their services are FREE) or learn how to use your breast pump effectively to reduce pain. Consider other baby supplements (there are “breast milk banks” where you can purchase pumped breast milk). Do whatever it is that you can to increase your baby’s health and to decrease the deadly effects of formula and profit-seeking corporations.