Formula Feeding: What Every Parent Should Know About the Potential Dangers

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Infant formula was initially designed because some mothers may face difficulties with breastfeeding, such as low milk supply, latch issues, or medical conditions.

Baby food manufacturers claim that infant formula is  a substitute for breast milk that  provides essential nutrients needed for a baby’s growth and development. They also claim that it is regulated to ensure it meets the nutritional needs of infants, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

However, breast milk is widely acknowledged as the gold standard for baby nutrition, giving a complex blend of health natural foods that cannot be duplicated entirely in the formula.

So let’s look at the facts.

Infant formulae frequently contain components that may cause worry for parents seeking a more natural care and healthy approach for their children, such as seed oils, genetically modified (GM) corn syrup, hexane solvents, refined sugar, preservatives, and synthetic nutrients.

A. Seed oils

Sunflower, safflower, canola, and soy oils are commonly used in infant formulas. They are touted as providing essential fatty acids necessary for brain and nervous system development​ (BLW Store)​​ (Gimme the Good Stuff)​.

However, concerns have been raised about their potential health risks.

Here are some reasons why you may eant to avoid seed oils and not feed them to your baby:

1. Chronic inflammation is associated with these various health issues- heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer​ (Gimme the Good Stuff)​.
2. PUFAs are linked to oxidation when exposed to heat, light, and air. This  process produces harmful free radicals that cause cellular damage and contribute to chronic disease.​  Plus oxidized lipids can result in inflammation that is linked to the development of atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke​(Gimme the Good Stuff)​.
3. The industrial process of extracting seed oils in most cases uses  hexane that is a solvent that  leaves residual toxins in the oil and raise concerns about  long-term health effects​ (Gimme the Good Stuff)​​ (The Good Nursery)​. It should be noted that hexane is used in the production of adhesives, sealants,  coatings, and in various industrial products. Do you really want your children consuming that?

The potential health risks associated with  high consumption of seed oils like inflammation, oxidative stress, and heart health, suggests that we  seek healthier fat alternatives- ie olive oil, coconut oil, and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

B. GMO Corn Syrup

1. There are concerns that GMO crops may introduce new allergens or boost the levels of existing allergens. Although current research is not conclusive,  GM foods have been analyzed to contain  more allergenic than their non-GMO counterparts​ (The Good Nursery)​.
2. High levels of corn syrup may also lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels causing digestive issues and boosting the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes (The Good Nursery)​.
3. The long-term health effects of consuming GMO’s is still a subject of ongoing research. Yet, some studies suggest that there are potential links to various health issues.  (The Good Nursery)​.

C. Refined Sugar

1. High intake of refined sugars can contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due to  rapid spikes in blood glucose and insulin levels​ (The Good Nursery)​​ (Neocate)​.
2. Longer exposure boosts the risk of tooth decay as the sugars  feed harmful bacteria in the mouth and produce acids that erode tooth enamel​ (The Good Nursery)​.
3. Over consumption of refined sugars is associated with metabolic syndrome that may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. This can predispose children to these conditions later in life​ (The Good Nursery)​​ (Neocate)​.

Insiders Health Tip

Try Some Homemade Baby and Toddler Foods:

1. Prepare baby food at home and use  fresh, organic ingredients to ensure meals are free from additives and preservatives. This method gives your child a solid foundation of healthy foods to eat everyday. Examples are pureed fruits, vegetables, and meats​
2. For older infants and toddlers, offer them  smaller pieces of soft fruits, steamed vegetables or  small pieces of lean meat that also encourages healthy eating habits
3. Organic formulas available in the marketplace are from Holle, HiPP, and Earth’s Best  that offer organic infant formulas with no GMO ingredients, synthetic additives, or preservatives