Breastfeeding And Artificial Babymilk; The Culture And Politics In Breastfeeding
http://www.mothersnature.com/babies/info/bfpolMR.html
Breastfeeding And Artificial Babymilk;
The Culture And Politics In Breastfeeding
by Maya I Richardson
In the early 1800's infant formula companies worked to develop artificial baby milk in order to save the lives of foundlings and sick babies. However, as they succeeded in making formulas which babies could thrive on, market greed took over and the goal became to replace mothers milk entirely. Today only 58% of new mothers even attempt at breastfeeding,(1) and only one out of five babies have any breastmilk at all at 20 weeks.(2)
Brilliant advertisement has led the public to believe that artificial baby milk is as good as or close to the real thing. Some parents are aware of the fact that breastmilk is superior, but the combination of misleading advertisement and the lack of information and support for breastfeeding mothers lures mothers into supplementing with the bottle. When supplemental milk is given the mother's milk supply drops, and her baby will eventually prefer the bottle because he doesn't have to "work" to get the milk out.(2,3)
Every company desires to promote their product, which is reasonable, as long as no one is mislead. However, some formula companies have simply gone too far; to the point of causing fatal concequences for millions of babies.(2)
To begin to understand how infant formula companies mislead the public with their marketing ploys, you you don't have to look any further than their formula advertizing brochures, overflowing with happy and healthy looking babies, fit, modern moms, and dads sometimes pictured feeding baby the bottle. These brochures include statistics and tables which compare a few of the ingredients in formula to breastmilk suggesting that the two are only insignificantly different in makeup(9). A little misleading, but sadly it is only the beginning.
In hospitals all over the US, and in several other industrilized countries, formula samples are given out to pass along to new mothers. Formula manufacturers are smart. They know that hospitals represent authority and science. Many people think that hospitals would not pass out anything that wasn't recommended by their doctor, or anything that wasn't best for their baby. How wrong they are. Formula companies actually pay hospitals generously to be able to do this.(2) But, the marketing ploy gets worse.
In developing countries, corporations like Nestle would send their sales people dressed in white gowns to resemble nurses, and hand out samples of artificial baby milk to new mothers. They would also enter hospitals and give the new mothers bottle feeding instructions, along with samples of formula. These mothers thought this was advise from their doctor, and heeded it. This resulted in tragedy as clean water was difficult to come by, and formula was often diluted to make it last longer. Today it is estimated that 1.5 million babies die each year in developing countries because they are not breastfed.(2)
Formula companies advertize agressively and deceive because they want more sales. They don't care about your baby. Don't buy their gimmicks.
For those who think bottlefeeding and disease is merely a third world problem, there are statistics showing that 6 out of 1000 babies in the US die each year because they are not breastfed. Formula fed babies die of conditions like diarrhea, SIDS, and infections, which breastfeeding significantly helps prevent. Babies who are artificially fed, are likely to be hospitalized 25 times more than breastfed infants!(2,3,4)
Breastmilk is an amazing fluid. It is a live food specifically designed to meet the needs of your baby. It is as irreplaceable and as amazing in its makeup as blood. Scientists will never be able to replace, or even come close to replacing breastmilk because it changes with each feeding. When baby is sick, it contains antibodies. Mothers milk is different for preemies and specifically designed to met their needs. Formula stays constant. It never changes. Formula is simply a mixture of the chemicals the manufacturers think your baby needs. If you think the quality of the ingredients in artificial baby milk are specifically chosen for their health abilities, think again! Most formula companies use coconut oil to replace lost fat from the milk. Coconut oil is cheap, far away from the best source of fat, but very profitable.(2,3)
In addition to this, there are at least 100 components missing from formula that we know of. This number is growing as scientists learn more. Your baby cannot develop optimally with these components missing. Sure, babies survive on artificial baby milk, but why just survive when you can receive the ultimate package to health. Artificial baby milk is not a live food. Breastmilk contains antibodies which literally *eat* up bacteria and parasites! Breastmilk is full of enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and more. There are qualities to breastmilk we do not fully understand. The nutrients in breastmilk are in the right proportion to each other. Each nutrient is made up to be fully bioavailable, unlike artificial baby milk, where the liver and kidneys are taxed by having to filter out excess waste. Undigested proteins, sugars, and more literally rot in the intestines, which is why bottlefed babies smell so much worse.(2,3,4,5)
Another problem develops when manufactures think they can "add to" or improve upon the real stuff. We've all seen the labels on the cans of formula in the store: "Iron Fortified". Ever thought about the fact that breastmilk contains virtually no iron? Is this a fault by Nature? No!!! There is an important purpose for this! An infant's gastrointestinal tract is filled with lactic acid bacteria. It is the only bacteria that can live without iron, and it is essential to digest breastmilk. If we introduce iron into the baby's stomach, other bacteria will multiply, and we have a host of infectious diseases! Babies only need the minimal amount of iron contained in breastmilk! A baby is born with a reserve supply of iron to last a whole year, when the immune system is ready to handle the onslaught of bacteria that occurs when the baby starts solids. It is therefore nonsense to add iron or other nutrients "missing" from breastmilk to baby formula!(5,6,7)
The breastfeeding relationship has been shown to be mutually beneficial to both mother and child. Breastfeeding releases the hormone oxytocin which has been shown to increase feelings of love, nurturing and attachment. Nursing mothers report a feeling of relaxation and stress relief when they feed their little ones from the breast. Breastfeeding reduces the likelihood of breast, cervical, and uterine cancers, osteoporosis, and more. It helps the uterus contract after childbirth, and helps the mother get rid of excess weight. Night feedings are easier, and breastfeeding actually releases hormones which helps both mother and baby sleep better. For baby, breastfeeding provides a loving and nurturing environment, optimal nutrition, correct jaw development (less need for braces later on ), protection from infections, digestive disorders, and other illnesses, higher IQ, less behavioral problems, and much more. (2,3,4,5)
Feeding a child from the breast is so much more significant and so far superior than supplementing with an artificial baby milk. Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding is also much more convenient. Formula companies don't mention the hassle of messing with bottles, sterilizing, the dangers of not measuring the formula precisely, the high cost, and environmental concerns. There have also been cases where the manufactures mixed the formula improperly resulting in death of several infants. Glass bits and even insects have been found on batches of formula. You can never guarantee the safety of artificial baby milk. Cows which supply the milk for formula are shot up with hormones (rBST, BGH, rBGH, and IGF-I just to name a few)(8) and antibiotics. In fact several countries have already banned the use of these. Bottlefed infants have much higher levels of lead, aluminum, and other heavy metals in their tiny bodies than do breastfed babies.(2) Formula is polluted at best.
Sadly, many parents view the decision to bottle- or breastfeed as just another option. If there was more information out there about breastfeeding, and less advertising by infant formula companies, I believe that breastfeeding rates would go up. The truth is; breastmilk is what is intended for babies. Formula is a dead fluid, lacking in important nutrients. It is artificial, and pitifully inferior. Many illnesses can be prevented if we only give our children what nature/God intended them to have. Medical, scientific, and even business men are taking this birthright away from our children. How dare they mess with Natural Laws! It has not been, and it is not still without tragic and fatal consequences. Our children deserve the very best. Why rob them of what should naturally be theirs? We only have one season in life to breastfeed and nurture our children, and give them a good start. Let us get the word on breastfeeding out and give as many babies as possible the start in life they deserve!
Notes/references:
- CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics. Data from the National Survey for Family Growth, Cycle 5, 1995.
- Baumslag, Naomi and Michels, Dia L., Milk, Money, and Madness. Bergin & Garvey, 1995.
- Gotsch, Gwen and Torgus, Judy, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Plume, 1997.
- AAP Policy Statement; Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (RE9729)
- Colgan, Michael, Optimum Sports Nutrition. Advanced Research Press, 1993.
- Emory T. Iron and you health: Facts and Fallacies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991.
- Bullen GriphithsE. , eds. Iron and Infection. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
- Notmilk.com
- Compare Enfamil to Breastmilk. We Did