British Charity: 'Formula Milk Should Carry Cigarette-Style Warnings'

According to a leading British charity, formula milk should carry larger 'cigarette-style' statutory warnings that "breast feeding is the best" for the new-born child.

A report, Superfood for Babies, released by 'Save the Children' Monday, said the lives of 95 babies could be saved every hour worldwide, 830,000 a year, if mothers breastfed immediately after giving birth.

Manufacturers of Infant Formula Milk Asked to Do Away With Exaggerated Nutritional Claims
If you look at the promotional literature of most popular brands of infant formula milk, claims of it being an alternative to breast milk is a definite read.

The proposal would apply to the UK, European and the developing world world as well.

It points out the benefits of babies receiving colostrum, the mother's first milk within an hour of birth. This kickstarts children's immune systems, making them three times more likely to survive, the Daily Mail reports.

However, the report says marketing practices by some breast milk substitute companies can result in mothers believing formula is the best way to feed their baby even if they are unable to afford it.

Ban on Formula Milk Urged by Pakistanis
Media reports indicate that health experts, MPs and civil society members of Pakistan's Sindh province want a ban on formula milk.

The agency is launching a petition to get breast milk substitute companies 'to increase health warnings that formula is inferior to breast milk to cover a third of its packaging'.

At present, all formula milks in Britain have to carry mandatory advice under the heading 'important notice' that says "breast feeding is best for babies".

New York City Encourages Breastfeeding by Making Access to Formula Milk Difficult for Newborns
Breast feeding is the best for the baby and to drive this point home rather forcefully,

The message "breastfeeding is best" is carried on an advice panel the size of two postage stamps and hidden among information about ingredients and how to make it.

Mothers are advised that the "product be used only on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse ... pharmacist, or other professional responsible for maternal and child care."

Babies Will No Longer Get Free Formula Milk
With the view to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies a hospital has defended its decision to stop supplying free formula milk for babies.

However, campaigners claim that the move will only make mothers feel guilty, who want to breastfeed but are unable to do so.

Brendan Cox, director of policy at Save the Children, said changes to warnings would have to apply in Britain and other developed countries because the packs might be exported to the third world countries.

Source-IANS