Four reasons to NOT donate baby formula overseas

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Comments

[Saundra]

This statement just came out from the Red Cross as well. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35134523/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
The breast milk that has been donated cannot be used.

[Saundra]

According to the World Health Organization, donated breast milk is harmful as well.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23800003-thousands-of-haiti-infants-at-risk-of-death-from-milk-donations.do

[Linda]

Leah, I think you missed the point of the article: "artificially fed infants are more than 20 times more likely to die from diarrhoea and other infectious diseases than infants who are exclusively breastfed."
Babies who are orphaned have the best chance of survival if they are either wet-nursed by another mother(s) or receive donated breastmilk in a cup.

[LeahGG]

fair enough - I'd agree that in an ideal situation, only pre-made formula should be donated at all, and it's probably most efficient for the donations to be solicited directly from companies like Carnation and Nestle who can supply large amounts of identical formula for each particular case of need.

[Saundra]

Leah,

For more information read this http://www.odihpn.org/report.asp?id=2873 linked to in the post.
If baby formula is needed the organization can purchase it and ensure that it is distributed in the ways outlined in the report. Problems come when individuals and organizations not familiar with the standards start distributing baby formula without taking these issues into account.

[LeahGG]

what about babies whose mothers have died? or who were injured and are in such bad shape they stopped producing milk? they should starve?