Why is Artificial Baby Milk so bad?

[Olive]

Ok I know this sounds like a weird question, given that alot of you I have met IRL life know I am very involved with the ABA so obviously pro-breastmilk/feeding & training to become a counsellor; (I am sending my last assignment away today and suppose to be putting on the final touches as we speak.) I just wanted some feedback - honest feedback - no intentions obviously to offend anyone who is currently FF (i also FF with my first from 8mths)
As i sit here pondering my SIL situation with her new bub and potential formula given over a couple of days while she is in hospital I am challenged by this question. I was discussing it at length last night with my mum (I have given my SIL every single info that I can get her and obviously pushing BF info at her). Mum and I got into a debate I suppose about FF and if it would hurt - given most babies I know IRL are actually ff and not one has "died" or have any significant trouble that could be directly related?
The obvious "bads" in my mind are:
Not as easily digested by babes
Changes the flora in their guts
The fatty acids etc are not the same or as good for babies
Marketed by multinational company - who really only wanted to make $$
Research show may help reduce sids, colds, allergies etc.
Probably the more general info, anyway I think you get the drift. But why is it so bad, honestly?
Am I just a fanatic BF with no substanciating evidence against the opposition? I am really struggle with this as I am very anti ABM!

[Zoraide]

Have you had a look on kellymom.com? there's a big list of stuff there:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mi...t-formula.html

http://www.ibfan.org/english/issue00.html

http://www.freewebs.com/breastfeeding_blues/hotmilk.htm

[elvira]

Its not "normal" to feed a baby powder junk. Thats a big one that in this bottle feeding society seems to have gotten lost.

The protein a baby ingests goes to making its cells. So the protein in breast milk is specific to our species. Babies fed powdered cows milk/soy are taking in a foreign protein and making their bodies out of it.

[Obelia]

The protein a baby ingests goes to making its cells. So the protein in breast milk is specific to our species. Babies fed powdered cows milk/soy are taking in a foreign protein and making their bodies out of it.

Thanks E for this, I will use this but that I will have to

[sage]

AS above.. And we are not cows. Why feed a human baby COW milk when we reallya re rathewr adept at making HUMAN milk? Allergies that may come from this spring to mind. The crap that is aslo put int he milk. Then on a more global scale, the environmental aspect - the watse that comnes from the manufacture of it, the packaging, the excess cows, the fuel to transport it, the money that the poor waste on it when they would be better off breastfeeding. Blah blah blah. IT is just yuck.

[elvira]

While the whole infant is growing rapidly, perhaps the most important growth is occuring in the brain, which will double in size during the first year. Christensen (1975) found that lack of breastfeeding resulted in the synthesis of abnormally unstable myelin, its propensity for breakdown in young adulthood resulting in the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis. This researcher stated that "Breast feeding is probably the most important preventive factor [of multiple sclerosis]".
These findings are supported by Tarrats et al (2002) who described the increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis in Mexico to closely correlate with the decline in breastfeeding in certain geographical areas.

^A house needs a strong foundation.

This is a little snippet from a study article I'm reading on breastmilk substitutes. Its not available on line (or only through the LC online thingo I recently did)

[fleen]

the fact that a tin of formula is never sterile!that they often have to recall batches for comtamination with metal, bits of glass etc.

not to mention long term health problems like obesity, dental problems and diabetes!

[The Morrigan]

Has someone seen that great list of risks of ABM? I might search it up.

[The Morrigan]

From lactavist.com

The following are some articles that go into greater details of the dangers of formula.

Toxic Phthalates in Infant Formulas
Formula For Disaster
The Risks of Infant Formula Feeding
Consumer Born Every Minute
What should I know about infant formula?
Genetic Engineering and Infant Foods
Baby Formula Detained At Import
Consumer Research on Infant Formula
Formula Misinformation

[Ishtar]

These are my 2 favourite articles

Just one bottle
Suck on this