The following post was written by Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC, Director of the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA). For those of you not familiar with Nestle, it has been the target of a boycott for sometime based on a pattern of formula marketing practices that violates the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

It’s also important to note that the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding and human milk feeding as optimal. Artificial baby milk is recommended only in those situations where a mother or infant are unable to breastfeed and a mother’s own milk or donor human milk is not available.

By Marsha Walker

Just a quick heads-up on a marketing blitz by Nestle for its new formula that is supplemented with probiotics (bacteria). Nestle has mailed health care providers in the United States an advertising brochure on its new formula that contains probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis).

It contains instructions on reconstituting the powdered formula that instructs caregivers to make sure that the water is not above 100 ºF so as not to inactivate the added bacteria.

This is completely counter to the World Health Organization guidelines that say water should be boiled, cooled to 70 ºC-90 ºC (158 ºF-194 ºF), added to the powder at that temperature to kill pathogens that may be in the powder (such as Enterobacter sakazakii), and then rapidly cooled to body temperature to feed the baby. It also neglects to say that powdered formula should not be fed to any baby under 4 weeks of age.

In addition, Nestle has contacted radio stations throughout the United States, offering an interview with a pediatrician entitled, “Do you feel fearful of formula feeding? Don’t be scared, say experts!” The interview promises new information on formula, especially the “benefits” of anyone being able to feed the baby, not having to pump or schedule work and activities around the baby’s feeding schedule, and not having to feed the baby so frequently. The interview then will look at the new “miracle bacteria” that has been added to Nestle’s formula. The interview has been scheduled for August 1, the first day of World Breastfeeding Week.

If any radio stations broadcast this interview, the public will be receiving a skewed and possibly hazardous look at infant formula. Breastfeeding advocates may wish to be on the lookout for this interview, which is scheduled to air between 6:00 am and 10:00 am on August 1. If any of your local radio stations air this, you may wish to call in and provide evidence-based information, especially on the improper reconstitution instructions and the implied inconveniences of breastfeeding.

References
Bowen AB, Braden CR. Invasive Enterobacter sakazakii disease in infants. Emerg Infect Dis 2006; 12(8):1185-1189.

WHO/FAO. Safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula: Guidelines.

NABA’s new publication Still Selling Out Mothers and Babies provides additional information on the issue of formula marketing.