by Helga Quentin

Created on: March 18, 2007   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

Imagine you're at home with a newborn. This small little person who depends on you for everything. You have done everything you can to make sure your home is safe for this tiny little person. There are covers on all the outlets throughout the house, you gave the cat away, you've read every piece of literature you could find on sleeping positions to prevent SIDs, you even have a lock on your toilet, just in case. The baby wakes up and begins to fuss. Tenderly you reach for this little being, marveling at how small and precious they are. Then you grab a bottle of poison and begin feed your child.

You may ask yourself what kind of parent would give their child poison. But the sad reality is that most parents don't know any better. According to the Webster's dictionary a poison is anything that causes illness or death, when swallowed, inhaled or otherwise introduced into a living thing. (Webster) Infant formula should become an illegal substance for the well being of every child.

"Artificial baby milk" is the scientific name for infant formula. Infant formula is multi-billion dollar corporation, that many parents turn to, because they don't realize they have other options. Contrary to popular belief infant formulas are not FDA approved. (US FDA Q&A). The age old argument that it wouldn't be sold if it wasn't safe, just doesn't ring true. Just because something is mass produced does not mean that it is safe. Trans fat is a leading cause in heart disease, and yet it is still available in many commercially produced foods.

Research now shows that what we feed our infants affects them for life. Formula feeding has been shown to increase obesity, increase the risk of childhood illnesses and cancers. Along with lowering IQ. (Ceci) In the U.S alone 4 babies for every 1000 births die from formula feeding. That number raise significantly in third world countries. From 2000-2005 there were at least 24 major recalls, due to contamination and other manufacturing related problems. (IDCD Legal Update)
Soy infant formula is not an exception. Soy produces it own hormones which can cause just as many if not more problems to infants than it's milk-based counterpart. gastrointestinal damage, allergies, asthma, poor mineral absorption and lower intelligence (Mercola).
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists four infant feeding options. Infant formulas are only to be used as a last resort. Instead the AAP recommends 3 forms of human milk.

1. Breastfeeding is the standard used to measure

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