Cathy Bargar argues that we need the formula industry, in order to
ensure babies who aren't breastfed get the best possible formula.
This sounds remarkably similar to formula advertising that states, "Closer
to breast milk than ever."

I am reminded of the lovely quote from Chris Mulford that I use quite
often. "If you are trying to get to Hawaii from Philadelphia, when you get
to Pittsburgh- you are closer than ever." but honey- as far as I know
Pittsburgh ain't Honolulu.

I think a big part of the issue here is the legitimization of infant
formula. EVERYONE knows breast is best, but there is a perception that if
human milk is good then infant formula is almost as good. If human milk
scores 100 on the test, then the formulas of today must be a 99. Who cares
if your kid gets a 99 or a 100 on a test- you would be just as proud. The
reality though is answered by the question does infant formula get a
passing grade? There are certainly worse things for a newborn to drink-
like whole cows milk, apple juice, coke, beer or kerosene on the continuum.


If we truly want formula to be the best it can be we should be adding lots
more than DHA, like human beta-lact-albumin, Human IgA and IgG,
oligosaccharides, growth hormones, live cells, lactoferrin, etc, etc, etc.
We aren't anywhere near Honolulu yet. I'd say infant formulas of today are
probably passing with a low C-, and significant improvement in the elements
which we are familiar with may bring it up to a solid C, it will never be
A+ like human milk and that is just looking at it from a nutrition
standpoint. If we look at it as a modulator of the human immune system- it
doesn't measure up and we can't forget the sensory and emotional impact of
breastfeeding- it is much  more than nutrition, but a relationship between
a mother and her child. That relationship cannot be put in a bottle, and
all of the attachment style parenting in the world can't make up for the
loss.

I'll close by saying that endorsement by association legitimizes the
product in the eye of the consumer. Cathy Liles

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