Follow-on formula or follow-up milk is often given to infants in place of breastmilk when they’re weaning onto a diet of solids. Follow-on formula is any formula other than a newborn formulation. In our community of midwives and mums, we see a lot of confusion around whether this is necessary.
We thought we’d pass on this information that was released from the World Health Organisation back in 2013 so that you can be aware and make mothers aware of this important recommendation:
“The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Mothers should continue to breastfeed their children beyond the age of six months, until they are two years of age or older, at the same time providing them with safe and appropriate complementary foods to meet their evolving nutritional requirements.
In 1986, the World Health Assembly stated that “the practice being introduced in some countries of providing infants with specially formulated milks (so-called ‘follow-up milks’) is not necessary”. The Organization further maintains that as well as being unnecessary, follow-up formula is unsuitable when used as a breast-milk replacement from six months of age onwards. Current formulations lead to higher protein intake and lower intake of essential fatty acids, iron, zinc and B vitamins than those recommended by WHO for adequate growth and development of infants and young children.”
While it’s sometimes necessary to use formula as a breastmilk alternative when you are struggling or unable to breastfeed, the unethical marketing tactics used by some formula companies have led many midwives and mothers to think that follow-on formula is a necessary step in the weaning/transition process. That’s simply untrue and we felt it was important to clear that up for you.
Please educate the women in your care with this knowledge.
What’s the best alternative to follow-on formula?
If you need to give formula for whatever reason, it’s best to always stick to a newborn formula for as long as you are giving formula and this means even after 12 months. Newborn formulations give your baby the best levels of nutrition as mentioned above, whilst the follow-on formulas do not.
From a Chinese medicine point of view, follow-on formulas lead to accumulation in the gut, which means there is too much food for the gut to process and you get symptoms like eczema, red cheeks, heaps of snot, lots of phlegm and babies can be overweight.
If your child or your client’s child needs to be fed by formula, we recommend using a newborn formula instead of a follow-on formula. Infants can process newborn formulas much better and get the nutrients they need, even when they’re over 12 months old. Think of a washing machine: it’s like putting too much washing into the machine so it can’t clean the laundry properly.
Read the full WHO report on follow-on formula.
Read this IBFAN press release about the marketing of follow-on formula.
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