IFC Supports Efforts to Improve Breastfeeding and Stresses the Need to Support All Mothers
February 14, 2011
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The International Formula Council* (IFC) supports the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding to improve breastfeeding rates in the U.S. and its recommendations to help remove obstacles to breastfeeding. In issuing the call, Surgeon General Benjamin underscored a mother’s decision about how she feeds her baby is a personal one and that mothers should not be made to feel guilty if they cannot or choose not to breastfeed. We strongly agree. Although U.S. breastfeeding initiation rates have increased to 75%, more can be done to help mothers who want to breastfeed their babies, especially those who return to work during their baby’s first year of life. We agree that workplace support programs are a key element for continued breastfeeding success. Employers who provide mothers with accommodations to breastfeed or express breast milk, as well as paid leave or longer maternity leave, can help increase breastfeeding duration rates.
We were disappointed that the Call to Action report gave no guidance on what to feed infants who are not breastfed. We believe mothers who are not able to breastfeed are in special need of information and support in their infant feeding decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends iron-fortified infant formula is the only safe and nutritious alternative to breast milk and we were hopeful that the Surgeon General also would recognize the unique role that formula plays in feeding infants who are not breastfed. Mothers need to know that formula supports the healthy growth and development of infants.
We were concerned with the manner that scientific information was presented in the Call to Action with respect to health outcomes. There is support for the benefits of breast milk in reducing the incidence of acute pediatric infections (e.g., diarrhea, respiratory or ear infections). However, other than for GI infections, it remains unclear whether the protection that has been associated with breastfeeding is due to breastfeeding itself or due to alternative maternal characteristics such as education, smoking, socioeconomic status, caregiver environment, or due to technical aspects of feeding such as nipple flow and cleanliness of equipment. Further, there is insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that breastfeeding prevents chronic illnesses such as type-2 diabetes, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome.
As infant formula manufacturers, we provide quality infant formula products for use when breastmilk is not available and work to ensure parents receive the information they need on infant formula use and preparation. [For additional information, please see: What Parents Need to Know] We need to continue efforts to develop and communicate positive, balanced, and factual information about breastmilk, as well as positive, balanced, and factual information on iron-fortified infant formula as its only recommended alternative.