Dear Friends:

I took the exam after reading the information on this link. I found the
article interesting. There are lots of different formulae out there, some
very specialized. While this is an article sponsored by a formula friendly
agency,and there are many comments about breastfeeding that aren't accurate,
 there are some surprising comments too.
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"Breast-feeding has numerous advantages in comparison with infant formulas.
For instance, breast milk contains all the nutrients necessary for the
optimal growth and development of a normal infant.3 Breast milk also
contains nutrients not found in formula, such as immunoglobulins.8 In
addition, maternal circulation delivers antibodies to the fetus that provide
protection against infection for 4 to 6 months; after that time, the infant
receives antibodies via breast milk.3

The composition of human breast milk is not constant. Rather, its nutrient
profile changes radically from early lactation to the final stages of
breast-feeding.9 The exact mix and its gradual changes have not, yet, been
duplicated with commercial formulas and this may be the reason for the
differences in growth patterns between breast-fed and formula-fed infants.

Breast milk is easy to digest and moves through the digestive system more
rapidly.3 It may reduce the risk of certain medical conditions.3,10-12

In a landmark study, investigators prepared a report for the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services about the effects of breast-feeding on
short-term and long-term infant and maternal health outcomes in developed
countries.10 In preparation, they screened more than 9000 abstracts. They
concluded that a history of breast-feeding was associated with a reduction
in the risk of acute otitis media, nonspecific gastroenteritis, severe lower
respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma (in young children),
obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, sudden infant death
syndrome, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

The benefits of breast-feeding can endure for years.13 A history of being
breast-fed for at least 15 weeks reduces the risk of respiratory infections
in children up to the age of 7 years.14 Adults who were breast-fed have
lower mean total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
levels than those fed formula.12 Some authorities report that breast-feeding
can reduce the risk of diarrhea and cardiovascular disease.3,14 There are
reports that infants who are breast-fed have higher intelligence quotients
(IQs), although this is debated.14

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http://powerpak.com/index.asp?page=courses/106506/disclaimer.htm&lsn_id=106506
"Infant formula is more difficult to digest than breast milk and moves more
slowly through the digestive system.3 Thus, babies fed on formula are able
to go longer intervals between feedings. "

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"Health care professionals occasionally field questions about generic (not
brand name) infant formulas. This label has been misapplied to products from
both reputable manufacturers with trade names that are relatively unfamiliar
and to store brands or private-label brands. As explained by the FDA, “All
infant formulas marketed in the U.S. must meet the nutrient specifications
listed in FDA regulations. Infant formula manufacturers may have their own
proprietary formulations, but they must contain at least the minimum levels
of all nutrients specified in FDA regulations without going over the maximum
levels, when maximum levels are specified.”16 Thus, the notion of generic
formulas reflects an incomplete understanding of the rigorous controls to
which all infant formula manufacturers must adhere. Patients will realize an
economic benefit after the purchase of store brand or private-label brand
infant formula, a cost savings that may be as high as 50%, depending on
use.

Extra care should be taken to ensure the baby is not fed expired, degraded,
or counterfeit formula.16 Caregivers must purchase infant formula at
reputable suppliers only, taking care to avoid gray market sources,
including flea markets, garage sales, and large-scale clearance outlets
(e.g., fire-sale or water-damage stores) that refuse to provide quality
assurance. If the expiration date has been erased, obliterated, covered up,
relabeled, or altered in any way, the product should be avoided. Any
suspicious or altered label is cause for concern. For example, a product
that contains cow’s milk could be falsely labeled as milk-free, endangering
the health of the infant. Any change in taste, smell, consistency, or color
should initiate a prompt return of this product to the seller. All
manufacturers’ lot numbers and the expiration dates on cans from the same
case should match, and the data on the cases must match the labels on the
cans packaged within.16 Cans should be free of dents, rust, bulges, leaks,
and any other external sign of stress or damage.17 Once purchased, formula
should be immediately stored in a cool, indoor location, as opposed to
garages, outdoor storage buildings, or vehicles.

Caregivers may ask health care professionals about the safety of marketed
infant formulas, referring to the 2008 outbreak of melamine-tainted infant
formula suspected of causing 230,000 children to develop urinary stones and
at least 6 deaths.18,19 People should be reassured that this formula was
distributed in China and other nations and that this has not occurred in the
U.S. because of the stringent manufacturing controls required by the laws
that govern the development of infant formulas.

If caregivers suspect a problem or illness has been caused by an infant
formula, they should contact the FDA, either by phoning the FDA Medwatch
hotline (1-800-FDA-1088) or by completing the online form at
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm.16"

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warmly,

Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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