Hazards of Infant Formula

How feeding your baby infant formula or breastmilk substitutes can be hazardous to your baby's health.

Oct 27, 2006
Brenda Lane

Formula feeding - Chris Richardson

Breastfeeding has definite benefits over breastmilk substitutes. Yet parents are often unaware that formula has been shown to pose many health risks to babies.

For many years, formula was believed to be the superior choice for infant feeding. Today, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the WHO (World Health Organization) have lead the fight to show that breastfeeding is in fact the clear front runner in the battle for best nutrition.

The end result is that formula has been accepted as the "runner up" to breastmilk which has lead to the misconception that it is a "healthy" alternative. The reality is that breastmilk substitutes have proven risks to your baby's health.

Overall Health Risks of Infant Formula

Babies fed a diet of infant formula tend to have more problems with tooth decay and malocclusion (improper bite). In addition, there seem to be more cases of colic and constipation with formula-fed babies as compared to breastfed babies.

Illnesses are more common with babies who receive breastmilk substitutes, including respiratory illnesses (colds), ear infections, diarrhea and allergies. This is likely due to the fact that infant formula has none of the antibodies found in breastmilk.

The lack of calcium that can be absorbed in infant formula can lead babies to become hypocalcemic and suffer from seizures and tetany.

Long-Term Health Risks of Infant Formula

Obesity is much more common in babies who are fed breastmilk substitutes. As we all know, obesity is becoming a national epidemic and when it begins in infancy, obesity can lead to serious health problems into adulthood.

No sooner was formula introduced, then it was followed by an increase in Type 1 diabetes. In fact, formula-fed babies have a 50% more likelihood of developing Type 1 diabetes as compared to breastfed babies.

A 2006 study (Neurobiology of Aging) has shown a potential correlation between the use of infant formula and the risk of developing Parkinsons'. The study examined rats over a series of years and researchers theorized that the excessive amounts of iron in formula (most of which cannot be readily absorbed) may be what leads to neurological problems with a diet of infant formula.

Life-Threatening Risks to Infant Formula

Babies who are fed infant formula have twice the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as compared to breastfed babies.

Recent reports have shown that risks from formula can be found right in the can of powdered infant formula. A bacteria known as Enterobacter sakazakii was found in the powdered infant formula and fed to newborns in a NICU. The babies became infected and suffered severe long-term neurological damage. Between 20-50% of the babies who became infected with enterobacter sakazakii died as a direct result of the contaminated formula. See more information on this health risk from bacteria in this WHO report.

Intelligence/IQ Risks to Infant Formula

Babies fed infant formula tested lower on developmental tests at 1-2 years compared to breastfed babies. Pre-term infants also had lower IQ's than their breastfed counterparts at 7-8 years of age.

Soy-based Formula versus Cow's milk Formula

Some formula companies who manufacture soy-based formula would have us believe that soy formulas are preferred over cow's milk-based formulas. However one of the biggest risks in soy products is the presence of isoflavones. These estrogen-like compounds have been shown to alter hormone production, affect growth patterns and even cause sterility. Experts have estimated that a baby fed an exclusive diet of soy formula has the equivalent of 5 or more birth control pills every day!

Researchers who study puberty have clearly observed that girls are beginning to develop sooner and boys later. A startling 1% of girls are showing one sign of puberty (either breast development or pubic hair) at the age of three! Not to mention that nearly 50% of African-American girls show both signs of puberty by the age of 8. Not surprising that African-American women also have extremely low breastfeeding rates and those enrolled in WIC's program receive soy-based formula.

Under normal conditions, male babies experience a testosterone surge nearly equivalent to that of adult men. Studies have shown that a lack of male hormones in male monkeys have been linked to difficulty in visual discrimination and spatial perception. We can only wonder how male infants may be affected by the influence of these estrogen-like isoflavones when they are fed soy-based formulas? For a fascinating look at the affect of soy-based formulas, see this report.

Cow's milk based formulas may seem like the better of the two. However, they are not an option for 2-3% of babies who are allergic to the casein in cow's milk. Casein is a protein in cow's milk and is formed as the milk sours and forms curds. (This is one reason why babies seem more satisfied when the are fed formula since these curds are heavy and sit in their stomach longer.)

Some pediatricians recommend goat's milk for allergy-prone babies since it digests more easily than cow's milk.

Final Thoughts on Infant Formula

Breastmilk is perfectly designed for human babies. Babies were not meant to be fed a diet from cows or plants. What we need to realize is that infant formula is not only an expensive imitation of breastmilk, it can be hazardous to your baby's health. Babies should only be fed a diet of breastmilk substitutes when there is no other way to feed the baby.

For more information about making the choice between breastmilk and infant formula, see this helpful consumer report available from the FDA.

For more information on the topic of breastfeeding, click here.

Did you feed your baby formula? Share your thoughts about formula on our discussion forum.

Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.

Comments

Sep 20, 2008 5:36 PM

Guest :

What a crock of shite. Poor women out there have enough problems coping with life after child birth. Everyone has an opinion. What about those poor mothers who have breastmilk supply issues. And before you go on about being phsycological etc....some women just do not get enough supply. So is it better for an infant to starve because of these issues or be fed an alternative that has been used for years. Surely the link between obesity has alot to to with lifestyle issues as well. Where is all the supporting documents to back up your claims. I feel sorry for women trying to the right thing and get told they're bad mothers if they do not conform with one supposed experts belief.

And I bet this feedback never makes it to your comments page as this is a one sided proaganda website.

Sep 22, 2008 5:58 AM

Brenda Lane :

Here are more articles on the subject:

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/den243

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/en/qa2.pdf

http://www.breastfeedingtaskforla.org/ABMRisks.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/safety/infant_formula.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/07/30/formula-dia betes.aspx

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/6/1453S

http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1086544

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Experts-urge-breastfeeding-to-a void-childhood-obesity

The following article talks about the exposure of the growing male fetus' reproductive system to the mother's intake of soy during pregnancy:

http://westonaprice.org/soy/phytoestrogens.html

Oct 26, 2008 12:05 PM

Guest :

The above article if far from "a crock of shite" and there are plenty of articles to support it...try researching or simply common sense. Baby cows drink cow milk, kittens drink mama cat milk, puppies dog milk......human babies drink human mama milk!!! Formula was invented long ago for mothers who, due to extreme medical conditions, could not breastfeed, and now the formula companies are making million dollar profits by leading nervous new mothers to believe that formula is as healthy as breastmilk, and making the choice to formula feed way to easy. It is impossible to copy breastmilk and it has more nutritional value than any of us could imagine. Research is finding more and more each day.
I support a mother's decision to feed her baby in whatever way she decides is best for her and her baby and family. I did not see anyone being called a "bad mom" or a statement to "it is better for an infant to starve"...where did that though even come from????
Facts are Facts...breastmilk is the proper food for infants and there are countless benefits to breastfeeding your baby. For whatever reason a person chooses not to is there business but don't get mad at the facts.

Dec 19, 2008 12:00 AM

Guest :

I can't believe anyone would call this a "crock of sh*." The writer needs to put their guilt about not breastfeeding aside and focus on what is best for the BABY. Most women in underdeveloped countries fed their babies BREASTMILK until the invasion of the formula companies, which did more harm than good. The issue of milk supply is completely blown out of proportion- it is a biological problem that is RARE. Most women don't breastfeed because it is inconvenient and they believe that formula is just as good (like powdered breastmilk in a can or something). I was looked at as crazy because I refused to feed my child formula. If low milk supply is truly an issue, there are medications that can help. Women who have never given birth before have been able to successfully breastfeed babies they have adopted. Yes, low milk supply can be an issue, but it is rare. Research shows that only 11% of women follow AAP guidelines and breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. So does that mean 89% have low milk supply? Actually low milk supply only occurs in about 5% of women, and sometimes it can be corrected by interventions, such as feeding on demand, if the cause is not something medical, like PCOS.
In sum, we women need to take charge and do what is best for our babies- breastfeeding! We need to stop listening to these pediatricians (who often don't know very much about breastfeeding and therefore are not supportive) or others who can be ignorant or unsupportive and feed our babies naturally. I was discouraged from breastfeeding plenty of times because my baby is on the smaller side. He is healthy, smart, and advanced in developmental milestones. My friend has a very large baby and was accused of overfeeding her baby through breastfeeding! But I am small, and she is tall, and our babies were that way because of genetics. Our babies are healthy and smart and don't get sick. Yes, breastfeeding can be painful and inconvenient, but it is a SACRIFICE. Let's stop making false excuses and finding reasons not to breastfeed. Let us just make the choice to do what is best. The data is in OVERWHELMING support of breastfeeding- it is NOT propaganda. I suppose people may feel guilty or angry about their lack of willingness to make the best choice. I met people who claimed they had "low milk supply" and gave up there and then- no consultation with a doctor, no exploration of what to do to fix the problem. This is hurting our babies. Let us make them healthy.

Feb 27, 2009 11:53 PM

Guest :

I recently adopted a newborn baby girl and really don't have a choice of whether or not to breast feed. Judging by this doomsday article, I suppose my daughter is destined to a life of pain and sorrow?? I see this as more media hype designed to instill fear in the hearts of it's readers. What is your next article, "Don't look out your window, the sky is falling"??

May 4, 2009 2:03 PM

Guest :

Actually you do have a choice of whether or not to breastfeed your adopted baby. As the article earlier states, women who have never been pregnant can induce a milk supply if their breasts are stimulated often enough even in the absence of the hormones surrounding milk production. I have supported many women to breastfeed over the past five years, and only met one who had a genuine milk supply issue. This is extremely rare. There is alot of evidence out there to prove that breastmilk is unique living substance which cannot be manufactured, so I suggest the person who suggested there wasn't needs to look alot harder. The fact is that about 10% of the infant formula tins contain enterobacter sakazaki (meningitis bacteria)and samonella. This is very dangerous for babies and very conveniently not something which is advertised by the formula companies. Breastmilk is sterile and is and will always be far superior to a manufactured alternative!

May 8, 2009 7:57 PM

Guest :

This is crazy! Really don't you have other things to worry about. Breast feed if you can, its the best. If you can't use formula! Its simple. But all in all, no one is less of a mother if they use formula. The most important thing is to love, care and support your newborn........ I think we have bigger fish to fry in the world we raise our children in.........

Jul 3, 2009 10:49 AM

Guest :

this is crazy.I can 't believe what you people are saying.It's a fact: breastfeeding is the best thing you can ever do for your baby.UNICEF has a slogan:"protect the right of a newborn to be breastfeed".It's true that there are exceptions of women who cannot breastfeed but the majority simply won't because it's so much easier to heat a bottle of formula.There are working moms too.I understand but there is always the option of expressing milk.So stop bitcing and do what s best for your babies.As for the ones who adopt a newborn that's a different story .You don't have a choice.Your comment it's plain senseless.

Aug 15, 2009 12:35 PM

Michelle Carchrae :

Thanks for writing this great article Brenda! Until we as a society see breastfeeding as normal and expected, there will be a struggle to defend the choice to breastfeed, pump while working or breastfeed into the toddler years. The truth is that breastmilk is the best food for every baby. End of story. It is up to us to encourage and support families in order to help that happen. The science-based evidence is there, now we just need to help society get there.

Sep 11, 2009 2:40 PM

Guest :

It is possible to breastfeed an infant that is not your own even if you have never breastfed before. Go and ask a lactation consulant about it.
This is not a crock of shit. also, formula was invented for orphans who couldn't gain access to a wet nurse, it has nothing to do with medical problems. Women that have medical problems like depression where they need to take medication can still breastfeed, you just need to inform your doctor who can change your medication to something that wont affect your milk. I know a paraplegic who has successfully breastfed al 4 of her children and is planning to do it with her 5th who is on the way. I know a mother who had a mastectomy who still managed to breastfeed successfully for 12 months and I know another woman who is still managing to breastfeed from 1 breast as the other is badly scarred. Medical conditions are an excuse at the end of the day. I suggest you do your research luv. Only 2% of women globally can't breastfeed, the rest can but due to either not wanting to or having a severe lack of support gve up. HV's and MW's don't help at all. I taught myself how to do and I have successfully breastfed for 11 and a half months so far. There is a lack of determination as there is an option out there that helps a mother relinquish responsibility for her offsprings nutrition and everyone else can feed the baby.

Oct 29, 2009 6:58 AM

Guest :

Surely everyone would agree that breastmilk is best. There is no debate in my mind. I tried my best to breastfeed my girls. I found it excruciatingly painful. I sought help from a number of lactation consultants and kept trying for months, but I would end up giving in to formula because when I was faced with all that pain and stress every couple of hours I just couldn't do it. I expressed as much as I could, but never got very much as all the stress etc affected my supply. I lapsed into a horrible depression due to my guilt, especially with my first baby because I was failing with breastfeeding. It is a no brainer that breastmilk is best. of course it is. That's not what's debatable. I think what people should not do is accuse women who don't breastfeed of being lazy and just wanting the easy way out. I think some women are not emotionally strong enough to go through with breastfeeding, especially if you have one problem after the next. We cannot all be superwomen who just power through all problems. I wasn't able to keep trying because I lost my emotional strength... I don't appreciate people assuming I stopped breastfeeding because I couldn't be bothered making the effort.

Jan 5, 2010 5:26 PM

Guest :

ok i am only 16 and i believe that breastmilk is the best for your baby. when you breastfeed your baby there is a bond between you and your baby that noone else can ever have. Would you rather wake up in the middle of the night, put formula in a bottle, heat it, and then stay up with the baby till it is done eating or would you rather just wake up and flop your boob out? breast feeding is easy once the baby latches on. my sister is big on breastfeeding and i know alot about it. formula makes your baby stink and when you breastfeed your baby smells good. i know that some women cant breastfeed and thats ok but i believe that if you are able to breastfeed then do it. its much better for the baby. if you are not able to breastfeed then thats ok. women who are thinking about breastfeeding should reasearch about it. it will help you out alot when your having to get up at night :D

Jan 16, 2010 5:15 PM

Guest :

I am a proud mother of 2 very healthy and smart formula fed children. My sister on the other hand, breastfed her 3 children for 3 years each. All three children have asthma, are sick constantly, and are no smarter than my two formula fed children. My children and I bonded just as much as nursing mothers! In fact, the great thing about bottle feeding, my husband was able to bond to our children as much as I did when they were infants. We were both able to hold our children close to our bodies and give them the same love as a mother giving her child her breast. I also believe these studies need to take other things into considerations. Shouldn't nutrition after breast/bottle feeding be considered? What about the parents age, education, economic status, etc. And maybe the parents had asthma or some other illness that should be considered. I don't believe the breast is the best. I also don't believe the bottle is the best. I believe the "best" is different for everyone. I just wish breastfeeding mothers would stop trying to tell all non-breastfeeding mothers the "benefits". Everyone should be able to decide what is best for their family without feeling guilty about their decision. Happy Mothering!

Feb 13, 2010 8:30 AM

Guest :

I totally agree that breast milk is the better decision. I breast fed my baby for the first week or so. She did really well the first few days, then didn't seem to be interested anymore. She would suck for a few seconds, and then stop and cry. I was able to get a good 2-3oz from each breast when pumping, but she didn't want it that way either. She ended up getting jaundice, and the Dr. was telling me to really push the fluids to help get the jaundice out of her system. I had no choice but to give her formula, because she simply just did not want the breastmilk. Also, I went back to work after 6 weeks, and there is no way I could have pumped at work. I was having to pump every 2 hours, and for atleast 30 mins. to empty my breasts and feel relieved. I would be fired!! I have to say, this article does make me feel like crap, but what could I have done? She is a healthy baby, even though she is on formula.

Feb 24, 2010 2:25 PM

Guest :

Most women can breastfeed if they do it correctly and get the support they need. Most of them just cop out bc it's hard and time-consuming the first couple of months. I'm so sick of hearing women say they had "insufficient milk supply" No you didn't you just didn't feed your baby enough at night. People need to quit being lazy parents in this country.

Mar 3, 2010 8:07 AM

Guest :

Personally, I am suffering from a low milk supply due to severe anemia and having to pump at times to throw away tainted milk. I have had several CAT scans using contrasting dyes in order to diagnose my injuries. Even through this month of pain and sickness I have accomplished bringing in my milk supply and having it go and come back. If you really have the commitment to breast feed than you will do it. Anemia will severely decrease your milk supply so take your iron and multivitamins.
After what I have been through and have kept my milk supply going it is hard for me to listen to the excuse of low milk supply. It is all about commitment to what you want to do and if you really didn't want to breast feed than that was your choice. Just don't say that the information about breastfeeding is crap in order to make yourself feel better about it. The risks and consequences to formula feeding are real and I have witnessed them in third world countries where hundreds of babies have died from tainted formulas from the manufacturer.

Mar 27, 2010 7:28 AM

Guest :

This makes me sooo mad I have 5 kids all but my son was on formula I do agree if you can breast feed that is better but like me I could not with my 4 girls and you know that my son the only one that was breast feed has sever asthma severe allergies and many many other health problems yet all 4 of my girls who where given formula are very very healthy and all learning above there grade level where my son is in spec ed. so I think that it is one thing to point out all the good point to breast feeding it is not right that you would try to throw all this other trash out about formula. Reading this if i didnt know beter I would have started to think that I was the worst mother in the world. But I know that Im not. this would be a great article if there wasnt so much cutting down on people that CAN NOT breastfeed.
As for the person that said anyone can breast feed as long as they do it right well that comment is just plan crazy she needs to check her medical facts because that is not true in anyway.

Apr 5, 2010 6:05 PM

Guest :

Seriously??? You expect me to believe this crap?!? Formula fed is no better or worse than breast fed! I know people whose kids have illnesses up the wazoo whereas my sister and I were and are perfectly healthy! I believe it has a lot more to do with genetics than anything else and in any case I have no desire to ever breast feed simply because I don't want to and since it is my body I get to make that choice.

Jan 29, 2011 2:08 PM

Guest :

I completely agree! In fact, I fed my baby exclusive soy based formula in 1994. She's 16 and autistic now.
Soy has manganese in it. This displaces magnesium in the body. So, these soy formula fed babies have
magnesium deficiency. Please, look these things up for yourself. Then, you start giving them vaccines. Back when we started the vaccines, the DTP still used whole-cell pertussis. When the body is in a state of mag deficiency
all your enzymes, and even DNA may suffer. Again, please look these things up for yourself. My conclusion, is that while her body was in this state, and with the vaccine, she actually "contracted" a mild case of each disease the vaccine was meant to immunize her against. That's what the high fever was about, the ear infections, coughing, rashes, seizures, body stiffness, floppy baby syndrome, etc, shortly after her shots. Just before her spiral down into not talking anymore, not looking in my eyes anymore, only playing by herself, all autistic symptoms.
If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I believe to be true now, I promise you ladies, I would not allow my child to have ANYTHING other than breast milk (where I can control the nutrition by eating healthy (study your spinach and carrots) and vitamin supplements), and even during the first foods phases too!

Mar 2, 2011 12:47 PM

Guest :

Sadly, some mothers spend more time planning their baby's nursery decor than researching the dangers of artificial baby milk. They would rather work extra hours for pay for designer baby items than learn how to breastfeed, pump at work, etc. Priorities are simply misplaced. Most lactation insufficiency is "trying to breastfeed" while giving bottle after bottle instead of using any feeding method which promotes breastfeeding. Ignorance and selfishness are to two primary reasons women give formula. True medical reasons are rarely the case, because they occur rarely. A cardiologist should tell the obese, smoker heart patient the truth. Women deserve no less from their OBs and pediatricians. Get ALL the information, and hopefully decide to give your baby what s/he deserves: human milk.

Jul 8, 2011 6:42 PM

Guest :

There is a vast difference between comparing formula to breastmilk and comparing formula to NOTHING. Clearly, it is better than nothing (i.e. starvation). But when a baby would otherwise be getting breastmilk, the formula is proven to be inferior - that is not anyone's "opinion"; it's proven scientific fact.

21 Comments