The Truth About Infant Formula
Posted by kim on October 8, 2009
I know that medical and scientific communities have long agreed that breast milk is best for babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes breast milk as the “gold standard” in infant nutrition, thus making mothers like me that did not breastfeed feel guilty. But after reading the except of this press release, I feel a tad better…
“Many women are unable to breastfeed for the duration of the first twelve months, especially if they are on medication, have multiple births, or must return to work during these difficult economic times,” said Dr. Barbara Levine, Weill Cornell Medical College. “These moms often experience feelings of guilt if they choose not breastfeed, so they purchase expensive formula. But very few really know the truth about infant formula.”
“Buying a heavily marketed, expensive, brand-name infant formula from a big pharmaceutical company does not get your baby any closer to human breast milk than a store-brand formula,” added Dr. Levine. “Mothers can choose to supplement their breast milk with any formula because all formulas are regulated by FDA and nutritionally equivalent.”
My excuses for not breastfeeding ranged from…
“I was a young college student when I had my son. Formula was more convenient and easier to use that having to pump and store breast milk. ”
to…
“My twins were born premature, and my milk had not even come in yet to freeze and save for them. When my milk did come in, we lived three hours away from the NICU so again it wouldn’t have been a hassle.”
I only wish store brand formula had been around years ago when my children were infants as I could’ve saved up to 50% feeding them private labeled formula from Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens and/or Babies “R” Us instead of name-brand formulas such as Enfamil, Similac and/or Good Start.
Parent’s Choice Infant Formula only $5 | Kim's Shopping Blog said,
[...] had surgery, but is now recovering at home. It is a bit ironic that I recently wrote about breast milk vs. infant formula, and how I did not breastfed my twin daughters. I wished store brand formula which is now sold at [...]
S Cove said,
That’s right, all infant formula must be nutritionally equivalent per FDA standards. I learned that with my first daughter when my doctor recommended using store brand formula at Sam’s Club which is Member’s Mark. Now I am breastfeeding my second, but it’s good to know that I can rely on a store brand when I get ready to go back to work. Plus Consumer Reports openly recommend store brand formula. It’s been the best kept secret for years.
Louisa said,
This definitely makes me feel better. I breastfed my first child but when the twins came along I could not possibly keep up. We started with one of the known national brands and talk about not being able to keep up…the money was killing us. That’s when I talked to my pediatrician about store brands and she said she had no problem at all wiht me switching…that the nutritional support I am giving my babies is the same due to the FDA rules. We were so happy to hear that and now to hear that Consumer Reports is suggesting that parents should use store brands? We couldn’t be happier and my boys couldn’t be doing better! back to CVS for more!
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