Formula for Safety---Some Sobering Statistics

Millions of new mothers choose to feed their baby formula for one reason or another.  Some can't breastfeed for medical reasons.  Others choose not to because using formula works best for their family dynamic.  Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed is your choice, no one else's.  And while there's plenty of support and encouragement for moms to breastfeed, it's often considered taboo to talk about formula feeding.  We're made to feel guilty about it and if health professionals talk about it, they are criticisized for not supporting breastfeeding.  And because of that lack of dialogue, many children can be at risk.  Remember the case several months ago where a child almost died because the mother mixed the formula with extra water than what was required?

Health professionals have a responsibility to inform mothers of all feeding choices, and to support whichever choice the mother makes.  But that's not happening.  A study done in the journal Pediatrics, highlights some alarming statistics.  It's based on a study done by the CDC.   The researchers sruveyed mothers 4 times when the infant was between 2 and 9 months old.  They sought responses from mothers who gave their infants any formula in the 2 weeks leading up to each of the 4 times.  Here's the scary part: they found that most mothers (a whopping 88%) at the two month mark had never received any instructions from a health professional when it came to preparing formula or storing it.

82% reported not having recevied instructions at all from a doctor, other health professional or birthing class instructor.

77% of those who reported having fed their child formula on the 2 month survey, said that by 5 months, they still had not received any information regarding formula preparation.  73% said they hadn't gotten instructions on formula storage.

Many mothers did not follwo safe formula-handling directions that can prevent foodbourned illness and burns.  And a majority said they didn't always wash their hands with soap before preparing the formula.  The list goes on and on.

The researchers conclude that there are gaps in education when it comes to informing moms of what they need to know if they're going to use formula.

It's hardly surprising given the societal pressure to breastfeed or be labeled a bad mother.  But the statistics show a dangerous trend, one that won't be reversed unless we as a society understand that talking to mothers about formula feeding is as important as talking about and supporting their choice to breastfeed.  Unless that happens, mothers won't be informed and babies could be put at risk.