The Risk of Homemade Infant Formulas: Historical and Contemporary Considerations

Abstract

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) that exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life; from 6 months until at least 12 months, breastfeeding should continue with the introduction of complementary foods. 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human ServicesProposed data collection submitted for public comment and recommendations. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/15/2020-10412/proposed-data-collection-submitted-for-public-comment-and-recommendationsDate accessed: February 9, 2021 Google Scholar This position is similar statements from the World Health Organization (WHO) 2 World Health OrganizationPromoting proper feeding for infants and young children. http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infantfeeding/en/Date accessed: June 26, 2020 Google Scholar and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 3 Gartner L.M. Morton J. Lawrence R.A. et al. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2005; 115: 496-506https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-2491 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2144) Google Scholar ,4 Section on BreastfeedingBreastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2012; 129: e827-e841https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-3552 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3197) Google Scholar Breastfeeding initiation rates have been increasing in the United States: from 35% of infants in 2000 to 82% in 2020. 5 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFacts about nationwide breastfeeding goals. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/facts.htmlDate accessed: June 23, 2020 Google Scholar But disparities exist: 74% of non-Hispanic Black infants have been breastfed compared with 87% of non-Hispanic white infants. 5 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFacts about nationwide breastfeeding goals. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/facts.htmlDate accessed: June 23, 2020 Google Scholar Income-eligible infants participating in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which is about 44.6% of all infants born in the United States, are 17% more likely to use infant formula than infants who are not WIC eligible. 5 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFacts about nationwide breastfeeding goals. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/facts.htmlDate accessed: June 23, 2020 Google Scholar ,9 Gray K. Trippe C. Tadler C. Perry C. Johnson P. Betson D. National- and state-level estimates of WIC eligibility and WIC program reach in 2017 final report: volume I. https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/resource-files/WICEligibles2017-Volume1.pdfDate accessed: March 19, 2021 Google Scholar Mothers participating in WIC differ from eligible nonparticipants who are more likely to have characteristics associated with increased breastfeeding. 7 Gregory E.F. Gross S.M. Nguyen T.Q. Butz A.M. Johnson S.B. WIC participation and breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum. Matern Child Health J. 2016; 20: 1735-1744https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-1977-1 Crossref PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar Women of color and those living below the federal poverty level face barriers hindering breastfeeding initiation and duration. 8 Schreck P.K. Solem K. Wright T. Schulte C. Ronnisch K.J. Szpunar S. Both prenatal and postnatal interventions are needed to improve breastfeeding outcomes in a low-income population. Breastfeed Med. 2017; 12: 142-148https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2016.0131 Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar , 6 Office of the Surgeon General (US); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); Office on Women's Health (US)The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. Office of the Surgeon General (US), Rockville, MD2011 Google Scholar , 10 US Dept of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC food packages - maximum monthly allowances. https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-food-packages-maximum-monthly-allowancesDate accessed: February 9, 2021 Google Scholar , 11 Kim J.H. Fiese B.H. Donovan S.M. Breastfeeding is natural but not the cultural norm: a mixed-methods study of first-time breastfeeding, African American mothers participating in WIC. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2017; 49: S151-S161.e1https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2017.04.003 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar Increased investments in WIC breastfeeding support helped reduce disparities in breastfeeding initiation and increased breastfeeding initiation rates by 30% between 1998 (42%) 12 US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC program and participants characteristics, 1998. https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-program-and-participants-characteristics-1998Date accessed: March 19, 2021 Google Scholar through 2018 (72%). 13 Kline N. Thorn B. Bellows D. Wroblewska K. Wilcox-Cook E. WIC participant and program characteristics 2018 final report. https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/resource-files/WICPC2018.pdfDate accessed: March 19, 2021 Google Scholar CorrigendumJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsVol. 122Issue 8PreviewCorrigendum to: The Risk of Homemade Infant Formulas: Historical and Contemporary Considerations Full-Text PDF