Book Review by Nikki Mather
Why Formula Feeding Matters by Shel Banks is available from Pinter and Martin for £8.99
Shel Banks is an Infant feeding Specialist who has been working with parents for over 12 years at the time of writing her book.
Shel points out a common misconception; the incorrect belief that Lactation Consultants do not support families who are using formula to feed their babies, either fully or partially offering formula milk alongside human milk – yet many do.
In this book Shel discusses the importance of reliably sourced and factual information for parents who are choosing how to feed their babies. She highlights the issues around the unbiased and aggressive marketing from formula manufacturers which influences the decisions of people buying the products from supermarket shelves. Unnecessary cost is associated with the price that consumers pay for infant milks, and a huge proportion of that money goes towards marketing to parents who just want the best for their babies. Shel highlights the need for more information so parents are able to reduce or avoid any risks associated with infant feeding.
Shel shares information about the ingredients of formula, how shiny labels and packaging do not always equal a higher quality product and how all formula must contain a set of ingredients mandated in legislation. Shel also signposts to the charity First Steps Nutrition as a reliable source of information for Infant Milk in the UK, so parents who are looking for this information can make informed decisions about the milk they choose to purchase. Shel also points out the ingredients which are missing from formula; ingredients which cannot be replicated from human milk, and why breastmilk substitutes should be honestly marketed so parents are able to make a fair judgment.
Parents often choose formula based on a review from a friend or family member, or sometimes their own parents. However, there are so many milks available now it can cause confusion. First milk, hungry baby milk, toddler milk, partially hydrolysed formula, lactose free formula, hypoallergenic milk, anti reflux, anti colic, goats’ milk formula and follow-on milk; and the list is forever growing with more products such as ready to drink milks available on the market. Shel shares information about the ingredients of these products which helps parents and carers to make informed decisions based on facts. This is extremely important due to the lack of transparency from formula manufacturers about the claims made regarding their products.
Also highlighted in the book are infant feeding products such as bottles and preparation machines and the assumed safety of them is discussed alongside sharing the correct information on how to make up formula safety. Shel points out that formula powder is not a sterile product and that warm milk is a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii. These bacteria can cause serious illness in small babies. Formula Preparation machines have become more popular as a must-have gadget in the kitchen or nursery, yet their safety has not been confirmed and test results have not been published from the manufacturers. The Food Standard Agency in the UK have pointed out that the “hot shot” is not a significant enough amount to kill bacteria in the powder before cool water is added, therefore using the machines is an additional risk to infants. Despite the absolute need for safety, infant milks are not recognised as foods and therefore the manufacturing of milk or the practical paraphernalia such as prep machines or bottles and the claims they make are completely unregulated.
Shel emphasises that this information is not only for parents. Whilst Midwives, Health Visitors, Paediatric Doctors are the first port of call, they’re often not equipped with the training, skills and knowledge of breastfeeding counsellors, lactation consultants, and peer supporters. All healthcare professionals and family support workers in community and hospital should have this information available to them so they can support and signpost parents to reliable information. These people are the first place to call upon for good information, and being able to signpost to places like First Steps Nutrition is important.
Shel goes on to share information on the finer details of formula feeding. How much formula to give, how often to offer milk to babies and how different methods of feeding might work, or be needed by different families in some situations. Offering correct portion sizes, and responsive feeding – where baby is in control of how full they are and how often they signal for milk – means their needs are met rather than prescribing an amount based on the size of the bottle or what the formula carton states. It would have been good to see a mention here of the additional challenges that parents with visual impairments have when feeding formula – an issue highlighted over the past decade by Blind Mums Connect.
The discussion on how babies signal for milk and the behaviours they may exhibit is a great section for parents and other caregivers alike, going through early to late feeding cues and what to look for. Meeting baby’s needs as they request milk rather than fitting feeds into a 4 hour schedule again reduces some risks, including overfeeding and sleep related issues as Shel continues in the next chapter.
The choices parents make when thinking about feeding their babies may be influenced by convenience, necessity or personal choice, which Shel discusses throughout the book. Some families aren’t aware of anywhere to get support from for infant feeding and believe Lactation Support is only for breastfeeding babies. Shel signposts to the many places parents and professionals are able to access information. This book is for anyone who is feeding a baby, or supporting others to feed their baby.
Nikki Mather has been supporting families as a Nurturing Birth Doula for over a decade and with families in infant feeding for over 15 years. Nikki is also an IBCLC/ Lactation Consultant and works across Cheshire & Greater Manchester and further afield via Zoom. You can contact Nikki via her website: https://thedoulaelement.co.uk/infant-feeding-booking-form
Nikki’s Social Media:
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Nikki also provides training in placenta encapsulation: Prismplacentatraining.co.uk