Baby formula is basically candy???

Someone sent me this graphic the other day, and there are so many things that need to be addressed. First, I don't like blanket statements like this because it brings unnecessary shame and guilt to mothers, and that's never okay.

Second, I'm not saying there’s not some (emphasis on SOME) truth to this. There are certainly many formulas out there with less than ideal ingredients, and no formula is going to be picture perfect. Yes, breastfeeding would be considered ideal. But that’s just not plausible for everyone. Just like getting all our vitamins and nutrients from whole, organic foods are ideal. But if that’s not possible for someone, would I tell them they shouldn’t take a multivitamin because they are basically candy? No! And yes, many options are basically candy…but MANY aren’t. We have got to stop telling moms it’s “one way or the highway.”

So let’s address the graphic. Like I said, in many cases there is truth to this. But you know how we've talked about fear-mongering in the wellness community, and the importance of credible sources and context? This is a prime example. There is so much more context needed here.

NON-FAT MILK

I understand only one formula example is being used here, and this one does contain non-fat milk. But there are MANY options that contain whole milk, and many with grass-fed organic whole milk at that. Also non-fat milk isn’t necessarily "toxic.” It just misses out on some of the added benefits whole milk contains. But this is like saying a grape has sugar and a Reese's bar has sugar, so there's no difference between the two.

VEGETABLE OIL

Pretty much any formula is going to use some form of vegetable oil. Seed oils act as an ingredient replacement to mimic the fatty acid profile of breastmilk (as closely as possible), and are necessary to provide the important fatty acids. Do I wish this didn't have to be the case? At times, yes. But there are so many more considerations that can go into the type of oil before saying vegetable oil = bad. What are the oils? A formula that uses palm oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil is different from a formula that uses no palm oil and just sunflower oil and coconut oil. A formula that uses palm olein is different from a formula that uses high 2 palmitic acid. Are the oils organic? Is hexane used during the extraction method? How are they extracted? Are they cold pressed or exposed to heat?

SUGAR

Yes, lactose is a form of sugar, but there’s a huge difference between lactose and corn syrup. Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar found in milk. If fact, lactose Is the primary sugar/carbohydrate in breastmilk. In addition, it’s a disaccharide sugar made up of 2 sugar molecules: glucose and galactose. Lactose is easily digested and can help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, as well as help absorb calcium. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener derived from corn starch. It has a higher glycemic index which can cause a quicker rise in blood sugar. You simply cannot compare the two.

I’m not here to say there is such a thing as a perfect formula, because there’s not (but there are better options). And I’m not here to say breastfeeding isn’t optimal, because it is (but that is not an option for many and they should never be shamed). And if you ever come across anything on the Internet that gives you pause, stop and take a breath, because there’s probably something there.

If you're interested in learning more about some "better" formula options out there click here. When I say "better," I mean in a picture perfect scenario. Only YOU and your trusted team know your child best. A "better" formula for Sally, may not necessarily be the "better" formula for George.

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