1.5 Million Reasons to Support Breastfeeding Mothers.

We know that "breast is best" when it comes to feeding babies, but it seems the message still hasn't reached many parts of the world.

UNICEF estimates that breastfeeding could prevent 1.5 million babies dying every year.

Here....let me say that again.

Breastfeeding could prevent 1.5 million babies from dying every year.

Breastfeeding provides antibodies and is known to help prevent many illnesses from meningitis to acute diarrhoea and ear infections, not just during infancy, but long after breastfeeding has finished.

Not only that, but some infant formulas also contain MSG and aspartic acid, according to tests conducted by the good people at Truth in Labeling.  (Neither of these are listed on the label. They are a by-product of processing.)

Other tests have shown up chemicals that are used in rocket fuel and bisphenol-A (BPA) in formula cans.

And just to add insult to injury, Greenpeace recently discovered that one brand of soy infant formula sold in Australia contained genetically modified ingredients. The manufacturer claims it is "accidental" contamination (this is quite legal due to our crazy labelling laws). That argument might work the first time...but this is the TENTH time their baby formula has tested positive for GM contamination...

Ironically, poorer third world countries have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. For example, in some poorer countries, less than 20% of babies are exclusively breastfed from birth. (Source: UNICEF)

But this has not stopped a certain large corporation (whom we shall publicly name and shame here....Nestle) from aggressively marketing their "gold standard" in infant nutrition.

Not just in Western countries, but in poor countries, where it is more important than ever that mothers be encouraged to breastfeed.

Where not only is money scarce and could be better spent on medications or clothing or housing, but many times there is limited access to clean water to make up the formula.

High illiteracy rates mean some mothers cannot read the instructions correctly, often do not have the resources available to sterilise or clean equipment properly, and formula is sometimes "watered down" in an effort to save money, which can lead to malnutrition.

In Bangladesh alone, baby milk and baby food imports are worth 16 million British pounds per year. 16 million pounds! In Bangladesh alone!

I may go on and on, but I think this article from The Guardian makes the point very clearly: Milking It. While you're at it, check out the Nestle boycott, now an international movement.Lets not make any mistakes here. We are not talking about making infant formula unavailable. We are not talking about singling out mothers who use it - many have medical and personal reasons for formula-feeding.

We are talking about a HUGE company, making a handsome profit out of the people who can least afford it.

Shame on you, Nestle.

And you haven't heard the last from me. I have not yet got started on your clever business strategy of making people fat with your junk food (cleverly designed and packaged with all kinds of nutritious claims), and then offering them the perfect solution to their problems with one of your "diet" programs through Jenny Craig. (Yes. They own Jenny Craig, too.)

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