I have wondered for a long time *not a debate*

[Jennifer13]

I understand that all BM donated would be screened but what if they make mistakes or become slack and something is passed on our babies, i'm not saying that would happen but i atleast know formula is fine and that it doesn't stop a child from being smarter than those who are BF.

Actually, we don't know that formula is fine. The recent incident in China highlighted just how 'not fine' it is, with babies being given formula laced with melamine that had fatal consequences. We also don't know what's in formula, they don't label for GM ingredients if it's less than a certain %age, for example. The idea that a multi-national company that is there to make a profit has your child's best interests at heart is fundamentally flawed IMO.

There are so many issues with providing breastmilk for sale that I think a simpler solution would be to increase bfing amongst the community in general. And encouraging (not disparaging) those mothers within a community who share their bm. Milk banks for sick and prem babies are wonderful, but not really viable for the broader population.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Actually, we don't know that formula is fine. The recent incident in China highlighted just how 'not fine' it is, with babies being given formula laced with melamine that had fatal consequences. We also don't know what's in formula, they don't label for GM ingredients if it's less than a certain %age, for example. The idea that a multi-national company that is there to make a profit has your child's best interests at heart is fundamentally flawed IMO.

I understand and appreciate your comment but i was brought up on formula as a child and so were my siblings and we are 100% healthy, and any health issues we may have are genetic. Formula didnt make my sister epileptic or cause my pcos or cause our poor vision. What happened in China is yes a very devastating incident but thats not to say that all formula is bad.

And i think these comments are wasted on me because i can't exactly change my mind my bub has been FF for 3.5 months now.

I will try my hardest to BF or express my next child but for now unless my child gets seriously ill from what im feeding her with then nothing will change my opinion on it.

[MrsFabuloso]

HUn, noone is saying formula feeding is a bad thing. I think Jen is just trying to point out that there are risks to feeding a baby anything other than it's own mothers breast milk. Even then I believe there can be risks of ifection with certain diseases.

[Jennifer13]

And i think these comments are wasted on me because i can't exactly change my mind my bub has been FF for 3.5 months now.

Hun, I'm not trying to change your mind. Your choice is yours and I absolutely uphold the rights of a parent to choose how they feed their child. I'm only pointing out for the record that you can't rely on a company to act in your child's best interests. That's why it's so important to hold them to account, as consumers and through our government, to make sure our children are safe.

Chances are, nothing will go wrong with feeding formula your child. But as a society, making bm available to more babies (preferably from their own mothers) would have both short and long term benefits.