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Wed, 3 Feb 1999 15:13:39 -0500 |
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I had a look at the weg site for Certfied Infant Formula Providers (CIFP)
makers of Baby's Best (sic) infant formula. (The name itself should not
be allowed, since it isn't baby's best) Anyway, much of the information
appeared research based and truthful. However, one section under
Frequently asked questions "Why can't scientists make an infant formula
exactly like human milk?" rubbed me the wrong way. I quote;"It is
important to bear in mind the following, which is often not mentioned by
either makers of common, ordinary infant formula or dogmatic advocates
of exclusive breast-feeding: The composition of breast milk is NOT (their
caps) standard. It varies from mother to mother. It varies with the
mother's diet. It changes dramatically during the course of lactation. It
varies diurnally (by time of day). Human milk composition even changes
during the course of a single feeding! (their exclamation point)
The reason it bothered me is that they seem to be implying that this is a
bad thing about human milk that dogmatic breastfeeding advocates don't
want people to know. Also, I didn't think the use of the term dogmatic
was very friendly.
Also, another section says the reasons why breast-feeding is NOT (their
caps) the best for an infant is illness of mother and maternal medications
both of which are too vague to be listed as contraindications of
breastfeeding I think.
I wrote them a letter pointing out the good things about the fact that
human milk is not standardized and unchanging like formula. They
responded with a polite reply but did not address my concerns. I
recommend visiting the site and seeing what you think.
Ann Twiggs, RD, LD, IBCLC
Ohio WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator
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