Misleading messages about baby formula

That breastfeeding favors the growth and development of the baby, in addition to protecting him against numerous diseases, such as pneumonia and other infections, is well known.

The reason is none other than

, which makes it extremely vulnerable.

That is why it is not surprising that on many occasions breast milk is spoken of as a first vaccine.

But there are substitute products that try to replace it and on which

e the marketing brands carry out, in some cases, some

.

This is how a new review of three series published by the magazine

and where participating experts call for an end to these practices by the baby formula industry.

They also request that it be carried out

and to the pressure of certain political groups, and that it is accompanied by effective support for breastfeeding throughout the world.

World Health Organization (WHO) Professor Nigel Rollins, co-author of the series, states that "the sale of formula milk is a multi-billion dollar industry that uses political lobbying together with a sophisticated and very effective manual of marketing for

It is time to put an end to this situation.

Women must be able to make decisions about infant feeding based on accurate information and free from the influence of this industry."

Further, Rollins notes, "Our series finds that

.

Breastfeeding should be considered the collective responsibility of society, not the only concern of women." For this reason, she calls for "wide-ranging actions in different areas of society to better support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want ".

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, from the Yale University School of Public Health and also a co-author of the work, recalls that "

.

Breastfeeding promotes brain development, protects babies against malnutrition, infectious diseases and death, while reducing the risks of obesity and chronic diseases in adulthood." However, he continues, "globally ,

and in the workplace, all in a context where the formula industry uses very aggressive marketing tactics."

the article of

remember that

, of a voluntary nature.

However, as the article denounces, "the powerful influence of the breast-milk substitute industry and the marketing of its products continue to violate the Code, as sales of these products have increased rapidly over the last twenty years and are currently exceed $55 billion a year.

sales tactics

Among the tactics that these companies use to increase their sales, the work cites how they take advantage of parents' concern for the health of their children.

Thus, the authors of the series emphasize that

.

However, they clarify, "babies' sleep patterns are not the same as those of adults and their restless behaviors are common.

successfully without resorting to artificial milk.

Linda Richter, a professor at Wits University (South Africa), explains that "the formula industry uses

child health and development.

In addition, advertisements claim that these formulas relieve irritability, help with colic, prolong night's sleep, and even promote higher intelligence." To do this, he says, "labels

with images highlighting early development, but studies show no benefit of these products on long-term academic performance or cognition."

This professor points out that this is one of the marketing techniques that violates the 1981 Code, "which establishes that

, and takes advantage of poor science to create a false story in order to sell more product."

A new review, done for the series published by

, of 153 studies, details how

and in all regions of the world since its adoption more than forty years ago.

Hence, the authors point out that

on the marketing of baby food products that protects the health and well-being of mothers and families.

But in addition to ending deceptive marketing tactics and the influence of this sector in the decisions of parents, the article calls for more action by governments, companies and also health.

What is the situation in Spain?

Teresa Cenarro, vice president of the

Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap)

and head of the Nutrition Group, expresses his surprise at the results of this new work as far as our country is concerned, since, from his experience in primary school, he estimates that in Spain "

", that is, without completing with substitutes. In any case, it affirms that it is

that marks the study.

From the primary care teams, and specifically the professionals who are in contact with mothers and children (midwives, nursing, paediatrics), "

, says Dr. Cenarro.

He acknowledges that "although formula milk has a lot of research behind it,

;

are getting closer to the nutritional composition, but

.

But not only breastfeeding benefits the baby, but also the mother "in terms of greater recovery after childbirth, as well as preventing breast and ovarian cancer," explains the vice president of the AEPap.

She also adds that

".

In Spain, unlike countries like the US where there is almost no maternity leave, the leave reaches practically five months, "and although it is not six to maintain breastfeeding, we are close and this practice is favored," he points out.

Regarding the behavior of companies that sell formula milk and the health policies followed in Spain in this field, Dr. Cenarro points out that "they are all aimed at promoting breastfeeding. In health centers there are support groups and They allocate a lot of resources to it. On the other hand, all the commercial houses strictly comply with what is marked in the international code".

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