http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/2007/02/media-studies-in-philippines_23.html
UNICEF, WHO and our partners in the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) from Canada (INFACT Canada) have just run an advertisement giving information on infant feeding.
This references scientific studies to highlight the health impact of infant feeding methods. As I wrote recently, there needs to be sensitivity in speaking of the health risks of formula feeding because for some there would have been no choice but to formula feed and a reminder of the health effects can be distressing. For others, formula-feeding may have seemed little more than a lifestyle choice as companies boast of the properties of their formula, claiming they are ‘close to breastmilk’. In the Philippines Nestlé claims its formula contains ‘Brain Building Blocks’ giving the impression formula-feeding improves intelligence. Such claims are prohibited by the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly. They have been illegal in the UK for over a decade and the UK authorities have recently given companies notice that such claims are prohibited. We hope the Philippines court will similarly take strong action in standing up to corporate malpractice and will defend the government’s implementation of the World Health Assembly measures. See:
http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/2007/03/uk-health-claims-action-example-to.html
The advertisement run by UNICEF, WHO and INFACT Canada, which appeared in the Philippines Daily Inquirer yesterday (26 March 2007) is shown below.
When companies claim their formula is ‘close to breastmilk’ this gives a misleading impression. In the UK, a Department of Health survey published in 2005 found that 34% of mothers incorrectly believe infant formula is the same or similar to breastfeeding.
UNICEF, WHO and INFACT Canada declare in their advertisement: “Every woman has the right to know the evidence”.
Points highlighted, with reference to key studies, are as follows:
Diarrhoea and pneumonia
Formula-fed babies are sick 3 time longer and twice as often as breastfed babies in the first 6 months of life.
Formula-fed Filipino children have a five-fold increased risk of diarrhoea.
Exclusive breastfeeding prevents at least 33% of diarrhoea cases.
Studies conducted in several countries show that formula-fed children have up to a 16.7-fold increased risk of pneumonia than breastfed children.
Asthma
Formula-fed infants have 40-50% higher risk of developing asthma and wheeze than infants who were breastfed for nine months or longer.
Food allergy
Children breastfed the longest had the lowest incidence of atopy, eczema, food allergy and respiratory allergy.
Reduced intelligence
Formula-fed children have IQ 3-5 points fewer than breastfeed children. The difference increases with longer breastfeeding.
Infection from contaminated formula
According to the International Food Safety Authorities Network, “It seems not to be possible, using current technology, to produce commercially sterile powders or completely eliminate the potential of contamination.” Courts have noted that pathogenic or disease-producing germs may be introduced into the body through food. The greatest danger of disease from such a source is milk or milk products.
Chronic diseases
Children who were never breastfed were 2.7 times more likely to be overweight than those who were breastfed.
Infant who were not breastfed upon birth had 33% higher risk of developing diabetes than those who were breastfed.
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding protect the child against diabetes.
Children who were not breastfed were at least 25% more likely to get leukaemia than those who were breastfed.
The UK Childhood Cancer Study found that breastfeeding tended to reduce cancer.
Breastfeeding saves lives
Globally, breastfeeding can prevent 1.3 million deaths. Over 30 studies from around the world, in the developing and developed countries alike, have shown that breastfeeding dramatically reduces the risk of dying.
A study revealed that infants who were exclusively breastfed during the first hour, were 9 times less likely to die than those who were initiated to mixed formula and breastmilk after 72 hours from birth.
Global evidence shows that exclusive breastfeeding prevents at least 75% of death from diarrhoea and 70% of deaths due to pneumonia.
---ends
The pdf version of the advertisement can be downloaded by clicking here and gives the references for the above statements.
It is important to remember that most of these statements are about risks. Not every child that is formula fed will become sick and not every child that is breastfed will avoid sickness. However, when groups of infants are considered, formula-fed infants are more likely to suffer short and long-term illness.
If the above is a surprise or a shock, it is because of the success of the baby food industry in suggesting its formula is ‘close to breastmilk’, the failure of authorities to hold them to account and the failure of health authorities to provide adequate information.
The World Health Assembly marketing requirements and the Philippines government's implementation of them are intended to ensure mothers receive accurate information free from commercial pressure.
While formula is intrinsically inferior to breastfeeding, some action can be taken to reduce risks, particularly risk due to intrinsic contamination with pathogens such as Enterobacter Sakazakii, which is worryingly common.
For information on how to reduce the risks of formula feeding and for information on dealing with breastfeeding problems, see the leaflets produced by UNICEF and contact your health worker. In the UK, mothers can contact mother-support groups. Click here.
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