The Role of Infant Formula Q&A
Published by IFM
What are some of the reasons for choosing not to
breastfeed?
According to UNICEF, breastfeeding globally has increased by 15 percent over
the past 25 years. Rates have increased during the last decade, with up to a 48
percent increase in exclusive breastfeeding in some regions.
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Mothers may choose not to breastfeed for social, cultural, health or
socio-economic reasons. In a small number of cases, a mother is not able to
breastfeed or provide enough milk for her baby's nutritional needs. Other
reasons a mother might choose not to breastfeed include: when she suffers from
an infectious disease that might be transmitted to the baby; when she is taking
medication that could be excreted in the breast-milk; or when she has been
exposed to hazardous environmental agents.
Lifestyle choices and employment outside the home, combined with legislation
that does not allow for adequate maternity leave or breaks during work hours
for breastfeeding or pumping, also play a decisive role.
If a mother has questions or concerns about her ability or desire to
breastfeed, it is critical that she consult with a health care professional
before making any decision.
The WHO and most physicians recommend that infants be given breast-milk
exclusively for the first six months of life and that mothers continue to
breastfeed their children until they are at least two years old. Young children
are usually introduced to complementary,
semi-solid or solid foods at about six months of age, depending upon the
specific nutritional needs of the child.
Doesn't feeding infants infant formula lead to greater
morbidity and mortality?
According to figures released by UNICEF in September 2007, global child
deaths have reached a record low, falling below 10 million per year to 9.7
million, down almost 13 million in 1990. This has occurred as breastfeeding
rates and use of infant formula—which in many cases has replaced dangerous
substitutes—have increased.
Malnutrition has been responsible, either directly or indirectly, for 60 percent of the 10.9 million deaths annually among
children under five according to the WHO Global Strategy on Infant and Young
Child Feeding. Well over two-thirds of these deaths are associated with
inappropriate breast-milk substitutes including rice water and mixtures of
sugar water and cornstarch water with whole cow's milk, rather than infant
formula.
Unfortunately, malnutrition among infants and young children is still
prevalent, particularly in developing countries. Malnourished children who are
not breastfed frequently do not receive infant formula either. Rather, they are
fed dangerous substitutes including rice water and mixtures of sugar water or
cornstarch water with whole cow's milk.
According to UNICEF, breastfeeding globally has increased by 15 percent over the past 25 years. Rates have increased
during the last decade, with up to a 48 percent
increase in exclusive breastfeeding in some regions. The use of infant formula
has also increased during this time, replacing the use of dangerous
substitutes.
IFM emphasizes that infant formula feeding should only be undertaken if it
is affordable, sustainable and able to be safely prepared.