Little need seen for warning on baby formula

Parents who fail to understand the risks associated with not breast-feeding babies are unlikely to benefit from proposed warning labels on infant formula products, the Whanganui District Health Board says.

"We believe parents who take the time to read formula labelling are likely to be well informed of the pros and cons of breast feeding versus infant formula feeding," Paediatrics clinical nurse manager Janene Louwrens said.

Her comments follow a proposal to introduce product labels warning of health risks associated with infant formula.

Research suggests babies who don't breast feed are at increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and being obese. Slower cognitive development and weak immunity have also been linked to not breast feeding.

Mrs Louwrens said considerable resources went into raising awareness about the different feeding options parents had when they gave birth.

"The Whanganui District Health Board does not think [warning labels] will help increase awareness of the risks of not breast feeding.

"A lack of awareness in Wanganui would be surprising, given the effort WDHB maternity and paediatric services puts into providing unbiased feeding information while always promoting and supporting the mother's choice, regardless of the decision made."

A Food Standards Australia and New Zealand consultation paper is calling for submissions on proposals, including warning labels that could replace or supplement the "breast is best" statement currently on infant formula products.

"Such a statement would reflect a body of evidence showing that, compared to formula feeding, breast feeding is associated with lower incidence of infection and some chronic diseases, and evidence for improved cognitive development in the breast-fed infant," the paper says.

Debate over breast feeding versus formula has flared this year, with formula-feeding mothers complaining they feel vilified for choosing formula for their babies - with "breastapo"-like tactics on many maternity wards.

The New Zealand Breast Feeding Authority says it is important that all parents understand the difference between formula feeding and breast feeding.

"We would endorse the importance of informing mothers about the risks," executive officer Julie Stufkens said.

"There does need to be a statement about the importance of breast feeding on [infant formula products] and people also need to know if they are using formula, there are risks."

Mrs Stufkens also wanted better promotion of safe formula mixing and storage practices.

"People expect that when you get a product in a tin that it's sterile and safe.

"Infant formula, as a product, especially if it's powdered, is not sterile."

Generally, mothers who breast fed did not need to be worried about contamination of their milk or whether it was mixed to the correct concentration, she said.

"We require that if a mother is going to formula feed, that somebody on staff spends time explaining how to actually make up their chosen product carefully."

New Zealand scientists are also working on developing a baby formula which could match the nutritional quality of human milk. The Government recently approved a research grant for the University of Otago-led project, which is investigating ways of adding oligosaccharides into infant formula made from cows' milk. Oligosaccharides have been linked to healthy bacteria in babies' bowels.

Submissions on the FSANZ consultation paper close November 7. APNZ