Breastfeeding has definite benefits over breastmilk substitutes. Yet parents are often unaware that formula has been shown to pose many health risks to babies.
For many years, formula was believed to be the superior choice for infant feeding. Today, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the WHO (World Health Organization) have lead the fight to show that breastfeeding is in fact the clear front runner in the battle for best nutrition.
The end result is that formula has been accepted as the "runner up" to breastmilk which has lead to the misconception that it is a "healthy" alternative. The reality is that breastmilk substitutes have proven risks to your baby's health.
Overall Health Risks of Infant Formula
Babies fed a diet of infant formula tend to have more problems with tooth decay and malocclusion (improper bite). In addition, there seem to be more cases of colic and constipation with formula-fed babies as compared to breastfed babies.
Illnesses are more common with babies who receive breastmilk substitutes, including respiratory illnesses (colds), ear infections, diarrhea and allergies. This is likely due to the fact that infant formula has none of the antibodies found in breastmilk.
The lack of calcium that can be absorbed in infant formula can lead babies to become hypocalcemic and suffer from seizures and tetany.
Long-Term Health Risks of Infant Formula
Obesity is much more common in babies who are fed breastmilk substitutes. As we all know, obesity is becoming a national epidemic and when it begins in infancy, obesity can lead to serious health problems into adulthood.
No sooner was formula introduced, then it was followed by an increase in Type 1 diabetes. In fact, formula-fed babies have a 50% more likelihood of developing Type 1 diabetes as compared to breastfed babies.
A 2006 study (Neurobiology of Aging) has shown a potential correlation between the use of infant formula and the risk of developing Parkinsons'. The study examined rats over a series of years and researchers theorized that the excessive amounts of iron in formula (most of which cannot be readily absorbed) may be what leads to neurological problems with a diet of infant formula.
Life-Threatening Risks to Infant Formula
Babies who are fed infant formula have twice the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as compared to breastfed babies.
Recent reports have shown that risks from formula can be found right in the can of powdered infant formula. A bacteria known as Enterobacter sakazakii was found in the powdered infant formula and fed to newborns in a NICU. The babies became infected and suffered severe long-term neurological damage. Between 20-50% of the babies who became infected with enterobacter sakazakii died as a direct result of the contaminated formula. See more information on this health risk from bacteria in this WHO report.
Intelligence/IQ Risks to Infant Formula
Babies fed infant formula tested lower on developmental tests at 1-2 years compared to breastfed babies. Pre-term infants also had lower IQ's than their breastfed counterparts at 7-8 years of age.
Soy-based Formula versus Cow's milk Formula
Some formula companies who manufacture soy-based formula would have us believe that soy formulas are preferred over cow's milk-based formulas. However one of the biggest risks in soy products is the presence of isoflavones. These estrogen-like compounds have been shown to alter hormone production, affect growth patterns and even cause sterility. Experts have estimated that a baby fed an exclusive diet of soy formula has the equivalent of 5 or more birth control pills every day!
Researchers who study puberty have clearly observed that girls are beginning to develop sooner and boys later. A startling 1% of girls are showing one sign of puberty (either breast development or pubic hair) at the age of three! Not to mention that nearly 50% of African-American girls show both signs of puberty by the age of 8. Not surprising that African-American women also have extremely low breastfeeding rates and those enrolled in WIC's program receive soy-based formula.
Under normal conditions, male babies experience a testosterone surge nearly equivalent to that of adult men. Studies have shown that a lack of male hormones in male monkeys have been linked to difficulty in visual discrimination and spatial perception. We can only wonder how male infants may be affected by the influence of these estrogen-like isoflavones when they are fed soy-based formulas? For a fascinating look at the affect of soy-based formulas, see this report.
Cow's milk based formulas may seem like the better of the two. However, they are not an option for 2-3% of babies who are allergic to the casein in cow's milk. Casein is a protein in cow's milk and is formed as the milk sours and forms curds. (This is one reason why babies seem more satisfied when the are fed formula since these curds are heavy and sit in their stomach longer.)
Some pediatricians recommend goat's milk for allergy-prone babies since it digests more easily than cow's milk.
Final Thoughts on Infant Formula
Breastmilk is perfectly designed for human babies. Babies were not meant to be fed a diet from cows or plants. What we need to realize is that infant formula is not only an expensive imitation of breastmilk, it can be hazardous to your baby's health. Babies should only be fed a diet of breastmilk substitutes when there is no other way to feed the baby.
For more information on the topic of breastfeeding, click here.
Did you feed your baby formula? Share your thoughts about formula on our discussion forum.
The copyright of the article Hazards of Infant Formula in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Hazards of Infant Formula in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
What a crock of shite. Poor women out there have enough problems coping
with life after child birth. Everyone has an opinion. What about those poor
mothers who have breastmilk supply issues. And before you go on about being
phsycological etc....some women just do not get enough supply. So is it
better for an infant to starve because of these issues or be fed an
alternative that has been used for years. Surely the link between obesity
has alot to to with lifestyle issues as well. Where is all the supporting
documents to back up your claims. I feel sorry for women trying to the
right thing and get told they're bad mothers if they do not conform with
one supposed experts belief.
And I bet this feedback never makes
it to your comments page as this is a one sided proaganda website.
The following article talks about the
exposure of the growing male fetus' reproductive system to the mother's
intake of soy during pregnancy:
http://westonaprice.org/soy/phytoestrogens.html
Oct 26, 2008 12:05 PM
Guest :
The above article if far from "a crock of shite" and there are
plenty of articles to support it...try researching or simply common sense.
Baby cows drink cow milk, kittens drink mama cat milk, puppies dog
milk......human babies drink human mama milk!!! Formula was invented long
ago for mothers who, due to extreme medical conditions, could not
breastfeed, and now the formula companies are making million dollar profits
by leading nervous new mothers to believe that formula is as healthy as
breastmilk, and making the choice to formula feed way to easy. It is
impossible to copy breastmilk and it has more nutritional value than any of
us could imagine. Research is finding more and more each day. I
support a mother's decision to feed her baby in whatever way she decides is
best for her and her baby and family. I did not see anyone being called a
"bad mom" or a statement to "it is better for an infant to
starve"...where did that though even come from???? Facts are
Facts...breastmilk is the proper food for infants and there are countless
benefits to breastfeeding your baby. For whatever reason a person chooses
not to is there business but don't get mad at the facts.
Dec 19, 2008 12:00 AM
Guest :
I can't believe anyone would call this a "crock of sh*." The
writer needs to put their guilt about not breastfeeding aside and focus on
what is best for the BABY. Most women in underdeveloped countries fed
their babies BREASTMILK until the invasion of the formula companies, which
did more harm than good. The issue of milk supply is completely blown out
of proportion- it is a biological problem that is RARE. Most women don't
breastfeed because it is inconvenient and they believe that formula is just
as good (like powdered breastmilk in a can or something). I was looked at
as crazy because I refused to feed my child formula. If low milk supply is
truly an issue, there are medications that can help. Women who have never
given birth before have been able to successfully breastfeed babies they
have adopted. Yes, low milk supply can be an issue, but it is rare.
Research shows that only 11% of women follow AAP guidelines and breastfeed
exclusively for 6 months. So does that mean 89% have low milk supply?
Actually low milk supply only occurs in about 5% of women, and sometimes it
can be corrected by interventions, such as feeding on demand, if the cause
is not something medical, like PCOS. In sum, we women need to take
charge and do what is best for our babies- breastfeeding! We need to stop
listening to these pediatricians (who often don't know very much about
breastfeeding and therefore are not supportive) or others who can be
ignorant or unsupportive and feed our babies naturally. I was discouraged
from breastfeeding plenty of times because my baby is on the smaller side.
He is healthy, smart, and advanced in developmental milestones. My friend
has a very large baby and was accused of overfeeding her baby through
breastfeeding! But I am small, and she is tall, and our babies were that
way because of genetics. Our babies are healthy and smart and don't get
sick. Yes, breastfeeding can be painful and inconvenient, but it is a
SACRIFICE. Let's stop making false excuses and finding reasons not to
breastfeed. Let us just make the choice to do what is best. The data is
in OVERWHELMING support of breastfeeding- it is NOT propaganda. I suppose
people may feel guilty or angry about their lack of willingness to make the
best choice. I met people who claimed they had "low milk supply"
and gave up there and then- no consultation with a doctor, no exploration
of what to do to fix the problem. This is hurting our babies. Let us make
them healthy.
Feb 27, 2009 11:53 PM
Guest :
I recently adopted a newborn baby girl and really don't have a choice of
whether or not to breast feed. Judging by this doomsday article, I suppose
my daughter is destined to a life of pain and sorrow?? I see this as more
media hype designed to instill fear in the hearts of it's readers. What
is your next article, "Don't look out your window, the sky is
falling"??
May 4, 2009 2:03 PM
Guest :
Actually you do have a choice of whether or not to breastfeed your adopted
baby. As the article earlier states, women who have never been pregnant
can induce a milk supply if their breasts are stimulated often enough even
in the absence of the hormones surrounding milk production. I have
supported many women to breastfeed over the past five years, and only met
one who had a genuine milk supply issue. This is extremely rare. There is
alot of evidence out there to prove that breastmilk is unique living
substance which cannot be manufactured, so I suggest the person who
suggested there wasn't needs to look alot harder. The fact is that about
10% of the infant formula tins contain enterobacter sakazaki (meningitis
bacteria)and samonella. This is very dangerous for babies and very
conveniently not something which is advertised by the formula companies.
Breastmilk is sterile and is and will always be far superior to a
manufactured alternative!
May 8, 2009 7:57 PM
Guest :
This is crazy! Really don't you have other things to worry about. Breast
feed if you can, its the best. If you can't use formula! Its simple. But
all in all, no one is less of a mother if they use formula. The most
important thing is to love, care and support your newborn........ I think
we have bigger fish to fry in the world we raise our children
in.........
Jul 3, 2009 10:49 AM
Guest :
this is crazy.I can 't believe what you people are saying.It's a fact:
breastfeeding is the best thing you can ever do for your baby.UNICEF has a
slogan:"protect the right of a newborn to be breastfeed".It's
true that there are exceptions of women who cannot breastfeed but the
majority simply won't because it's so much easier to heat a bottle of
formula.There are working moms too.I understand but there is always the
option of expressing milk.So stop bitcing and do what s best for your
babies.As for the ones who adopt a newborn that's a different story .You
don't have a choice.Your comment it's plain senseless.
Aug 15, 2009 12:35 PM
Michelle Carchrae :
Thanks for writing this great article Brenda! Until we as a society see
breastfeeding as normal and expected, there will be a struggle to defend
the choice to breastfeed, pump while working or breastfeed into the toddler
years. The truth is that breastmilk is the best food for every baby. End
of story. It is up to us to encourage and support families in order to
help that happen. The science-based evidence is there, now we just need to
help society get there.
Sep 11, 2009 2:40 PM
Guest :
It is possible to breastfeed an infant that is not your own even if you
have never breastfed before. Go and ask a lactation consulant about it. This is not a crock of shit. also, formula was invented for orphans who
couldn't gain access to a wet nurse, it has nothing to do with medical
problems. Women that have medical problems like depression where they need
to take medication can still breastfeed, you just need to inform your
doctor who can change your medication to something that wont affect your
milk. I know a paraplegic who has successfully breastfed al 4 of her
children and is planning to do it with her 5th who is on the way. I know a
mother who had a mastectomy who still managed to breastfeed successfully
for 12 months and I know another woman who is still managing to breastfeed
from 1 breast as the other is badly scarred. Medical conditions are an
excuse at the end of the day. I suggest you do your research luv. Only 2%
of women globally can't breastfeed, the rest can but due to either not
wanting to or having a severe lack of support gve up. HV's and MW's don't
help at all. I taught myself how to do and I have successfully breastfed
for 11 and a half months so far. There is a lack of determination as there
is an option out there that helps a mother relinquish responsibility for
her offsprings nutrition and everyone else can feed the baby.
Oct 29, 2009 6:58 AM
Guest :
Surely everyone would agree that breastmilk is best. There is no debate in
my mind. I tried my best to breastfeed my girls. I found it excruciatingly
painful. I sought help from a number of lactation consultants and kept
trying for months, but I would end up giving in to formula because when I
was faced with all that pain and stress every couple of hours I just
couldn't do it. I expressed as much as I could, but never got very much as
all the stress etc affected my supply. I lapsed into a horrible depression
due to my guilt, especially with my first baby because I was failing with
breastfeeding. It is a no brainer that breastmilk is best. of course it is.
That's not what's debatable. I think what people should not do is accuse
women who don't breastfeed of being lazy and just wanting the easy way out.
I think some women are not emotionally strong enough to go through with
breastfeeding, especially if you have one problem after the next. We cannot
all be superwomen who just power through all problems. I wasn't able to
keep trying because I lost my emotional strength... I don't appreciate
people assuming I stopped breastfeeding because I couldn't be bothered
making the effort.
Oct 27, 2006
