If you are a parent, you know that taking care of your baby is not easy. You have to feed them food, medicine, and other necessities. However, sometimes it needs to be clarified what formula you should give your infant.
According to the Baby Foods and Infant Formula Market Research Report 2024, the infant formula market globally was worth $37,520 million in 2022 and is forecasted to touch $42,250 million by 2028.
Most people think that formula is better than breast milk or breastfeeding, but this is not true for all situations. Here are some reasons why feeding a baby formula is not the right choice for many parents:
1. Infant Formula is Not Designed for Human Infants
The first reason not to feed your baby formula is that it’s not developed for human infants. Baby formulas are made for babies who are not breastfed and contain ingredients not found in human milk. While these formulas may be good enough for other animals, they’re far from ideal for human children.
The second reason is that infant formulas need the right balance of nutrients needed by infants under one year old–or even older children who haven’t been weaned. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively until at least six months old or longer if possible because breast milk helps protect against infections such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
2. Baby Formula Contains Harmful Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals
While it’s true that baby formula is fortified with some vitamins and minerals, the synthetic versions of these nutrients are less effective than their natural counterparts. In addition, synthetic vitamins and minerals are more difficult for our bodies to absorb because they can’t be broken down into smaller molecules, meaning they pass through us without being absorbed by our digestive tract.
In addition to having less nutritional value than breast milk or even homemade formulas made from whole foods, synthetic vitamins have been linked with severe health problems like cancerous tumors in rats’ kidneys when they were fed high doses of vitamin A.
Another problem with using artificial ingredients instead of natural ones is that some synthetic substances can be toxic for infants who consume them regularly over time.
3. Increased Risk of Developing Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal disease that can lead to death. It affects about 2% to 5% of all premature infants, but it’s more common in babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk.
In rare cases, NEC can be fatal if not treated immediately by medical professionals. The cause of NEC is bacteria, which usually occurs in premature infants or those with congenital malformations of the intestine.
Most NEC cases affect premature newborns fed formula rather than breast milk. Because the formula lacks the minerals necessary for healthy intestinal growth, these babies are more prone to develop NEC. They become malnourished and unable to fight off infections due to their stomachs’ inability to metabolize fats and proteins correctly.
Parents must be informed of these hazards by manufacturers. They have, however, been unable to do so. As a result, numerous parents of kids who contracted NEC because of using baby formula have sued these producers.
You could file the Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit against the formula maker if your baby suffered the same fate. Employ a qualified attorney to assist you in submitting the claim, collecting evidence, and winning the lawsuit.
4. Infant Formula is Highly Refined and Unwholesome
Refined foods are not suitable for you. They’re stripped of their nutrients, lacking in fiber, and often contain artificial sweeteners. Infant formula is highly refined and can cause digestive problems for your baby.
Refined foods have been stripped of nutrients and fiber, making them less filling than whole grains or fresh fruits and vegetables. They also don’t provide much protein or any essential vitamins or minerals. The only thing they offer is calories from carbohydrates or fat. The body needs vitamins and minerals to function correctly, without them, we get sick.
The best way to ensure proper nutrition for your baby is through breastfeeding. It provides all the vitamins, minerals, antibodies, and enzymes necessary for growth while boosting immunity against diseases such as asthma later in life.
5. Baby Formula has a High Fat Content That Can Cause Obesity
It’s important to understand that baby formula has a high-fat content, which can lead to obesity. Many parents don’t realize this because they don’t see their babies gain weight as quickly as they would if they were breastfed.
However, over time, the extra calories and fats will add up and cause your child’s body mass index (BMI) score to increase significantly. According to WHO, global obesity has almost tripled since 1975.
It is hazardous for infants not to grow at the same rate as other babies their age. It frequently happens when using formula instead of breast milk or formula made with whole foods rather than processed ingredients like soy protein isolate and corn syrup solids. When these infants reach adulthood, they’re more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease due to poor diet choices made during childhood.
6. Don’t Feed Baby Formula to Your Infant
As a parent, you want the best for your baby. You probably know breast milk is the best food for them, but if you’re unable to breastfeed and feel like you need to use formula, it’s essential to understand why it may not be ideal for infants.
Baby formula is not designed for human infants. It contains synthetic vitamins and minerals not found in nature, which can cause health problems when adults consume them. The increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has been linked with infant formula consumption due to its high levels of refined carbohydrates and sugar content, which is not something babies should be eating.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand why you should not feed baby formula to your infant. Infant formula is not designed for human infants and contains harmful synthetic vitamins and minerals.
It also increases the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which could lead to death if left untreated. Additionally, baby formula has a high-fat content that can cause obesity in children who consume it regularly over time.
