TODDLER FORMULA
My son, and second child, was exclusively formula-fed. I tried to breastfeed, but when I again couldn’t manage to get the baby to latch (read my breastfeeding sob story here), I stopped trying. I knew after my first experience of desperation at this failure that it wouldn’t bode well for me emotionally to keep trying. When he turned 1, I stopped formula and threw out the baby bottles and nipples that same day.
Imagine my surprise to read this article today:
The Ominous Rise of Toddler Milk (The Atlantic)
I’m not a big fan of supplements even for adults. Bottles of vitamins and tubs of powdered protein. I’ll just eat food, thanks. If I ever develop an illness that requires me to pop pills, I will dutifully follow doctor’s orders, but otherwise, I’ll let my body do what it was made to do. And I feel the same for babies- they are little people after all.
I gave formula because I couldn’t breastfeed and it was made to mimic breastmilk properties. Why continue feeding an artificial mixture made in a factory when it’s not necessary?
Similac Recall: Bugs in Baby Formula Worry Parents
I highly doubt this is an isolated episode. We probably just don’t see it when they’re ground into a fine powder.
Rodent Hairs and Bugs: The acceptable amount of grime allowed in your food in Canada
Mmm. It’s enough to make you want to move out to the country and homestead. Except I don’t want to live on a farm. Or farm. Such is modern life.
Marketing pushes the advantages of giving a child regular doses of vitamins and minerals because toddlers can be finicky eaters (Hello, will-only-eat-pasta-this-month). But that’s why you pulverize and mash up all the goods and sneak them into foods they will eat, isn’t it? I take an unhealthy amount of pleasure in seeing them scarf down “banana muffins” with a chockful of spinach in it.
Baby formula sales are down, birth rates are falling all over the world and I’m sure the Breast is Best movement only adds to the headaches of formula companies’ top people. As with any business, profits always need to be going up and this is a multi-billion dollar industry.
I wonder who the genius was who thought up, well, mothers with babies will buy our product for 1 year. What if we target market this same group to further their incentive to continue buying for another 3 years? A cheery round of applause as they patted themselves on the back for that one, I bet.
I hope this trend doesn’t take off. Not only are they an unhelpful addition to children’s diets- there are additives like sugar and salt to make it taste nice- they are not at all necessary. Most claims of all its benefits- probiotics for digestion, DHA for brain health- sound amazing, sure, but are not proven science. Taking additional supplements like omega oils and pre/probiotics are not even recommended for the average healthy adult. Instead, you’ll find that many experts agree it’s best to get the health benefits from actual foods.
Prebiotics and Probiotics for your Health
7 Things to Know About Omega-3
Should You Take Dietary Supplements?
It’s bad enough how much worry and anxiety I experience on a daily basis because of how much or little my toddler girl is eating. I really don’t need companies to exploit that. Isn’t my monthly PMS chocolate money good enough for you? Back off Nestle.
Further reading, for shits and giggles- circa 2010:
