Infant formula, informed consent, and the "Voldemort" approach

Before I post, I just want to say in advance that there are situations when mothers need (or desire) to use formula or human milk fortifier. This post is not meant to undermine mothers in those situations, or judge when it is appropriate to use formula.

I wanted to share this article here because I think the issue is important for parents to understand. Hiding or glossing over the truth in research is unfair to families, most especially those who count on formula as the sole source of nutrition for their children. Health care providers continue to talk about the "benefits" of breastfeeding, but often have an almost viceral response to the notion that formula feeding caries risks. If families aren't told there are risks to feeding formula, then where is the informed consent? Since breastfeeding is the biological norm (the food source the human body makes in order to feed human infants), some researchers argue that there can be no "benefits" to breastfeeding. Some researchers also believe that when it comes to public health, formula feeding should be measured against the biological norm, not vice versa.

What do you think?

Here's a quote from the article:

You can read the full article here:
Scientists "hide formula risk"

 

i think when there is a profit to be made, thats when the government (which stems down to our pediatricians) will definitely not be honest. i am pretty much shocked by the amount of people who i know who didn't breastfeed. and like you said there are situations where formula is necessary, but people who dont even TRY at all. it makes me think they are under the impression that breastmilk and formula are equal which is pretty far from the truth. i have babysat many kids, and the ones who were only formula fed were much sicker and more often than kids who were breastfed- and its not my imagination, i absolutely see a correlation between sickness and formula. i know of many formula fed babies who have been hospitalized for various illnesses (RSV, Pneumonia) and i'm not saying that its not possible for breastfed babies to get sick, but my kids have never been hospitalized, or ever had a a "serious" sickness and they have all been breastfed. also, formula fed babies (in my experience) seem to have infant reflux and are colicy more often than breastfed babies. I am just amazed at how ill-informed people are, but to be honest i think people dont look for the information. people dont WANT to breastfeed, they dont WANT to be inconvenienced, they dont WANT sore nipples, and yes it sucks sometimes and it hurts (a lot) sometimes but the benefits that my babies are getting from it far outweigh my discomfort. It is an absolutely AMAZING thing that our bodies can produce exactly what our babies need, it's like a perfect "formula" that is designed specifically for our own individual child, not to mention all the health benefits for mom and baby. you cant get ANY better than that.
(as a side note: i also dont get people feeling "weird" that they're babies are sucking on their nipples. people really dont know that's what they're there for??)

sorry for the long rant lol but it boggles my mind. Breastfeeding is one of the most amazing things i've done with and for my kids, and i wish more people could experience it.