I just want to thank you for publishing all the statistics on breastfeeding. I really feel that people need to know them.
Almost four years ago, I was young (24 years old) and single, diagnosed with breast cancer. The day after I found out, I was wheeled into the operating room for a mastectomy, a complete removal of the affected breast. (Soon after that, I underwent another biopsy, leaving a scar on my single, remaining breast. Thankfully, the result was benign). As my future was uncertain, I wondered if I would even have the chance of getting married and having children. At that point, breastfeeding a baby was unimaginable.
While the cancer experience changed the form of my body permanently, I am now completely cancer-free. I am married to a wonderful, supportive husband and have recently given birth to an adorable baby girl. And as if I haven’t been showered with enough blessings, I found that I still have the ability to breastfeed my baby and I have been doing so for over three months now. I am proud to say that my cancer struggle did not deprive me of such a wonderful opportunity to nourish my baby both physically and emotionally.
I could not have come this far if it weren’t for the fervent support my husband gave me and all the breastfeeding information we sought together. Such education in our country is scarce. I consider myself lucky to have attended a free seminar and read some very helpful books.
Today, we have a happy, healthy (not to mention chubby), beautiful baby.
It may seem very trivial, but if we all do our part about being well-informed and encouraging an environment conducive to sustaining breastfeeding in our hospitals, at home, and in our workplaces, we can be part of the solution to alleviating poverty and lowering the country’s infant mortality rate.
As I have been learning more and more about breastfeeding, I have gained a passion in helping others become more aware of its benefits.
Among people I know, I have heard several mothers talk about how they gave up on breastfeeding and immediately switched to infant milk formulas because they had no milk. Had I not been well-informed, I would have probably ended up sharing the same story today. – Maybelle
I find your column really enriching and informative, especially for mothers like me. You mentioned in your column that there are 22 infant formula products that were recalled between 1982 and 1994 (US FDA), and that seven of them were classified by the US FDA as potentially life-threatening.
Could you please give me the brand names of these infant formula products? Please include the reasons why they were pulled out from the market as well. I am just concerned. – Lisa Tan
I saw your column about our breastfeeding information kit. Thank you very much! I’m glad it generated reactions from your readers.
The following site has a good summary of infant formula recalls in the United States: www.breastfeeding.com/advocacy/advocacy_recalls.
The US Food and Drug Administration also has a recall website: www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any similar website or list of infant formula recalls in the Philippines.
You will note that infant formula has been contaminated with anything from glass particles to disease-causing microorganisms, such as salmonella. One emerging global health concern is the contamination of powdered infant formula with Enterobacter sakazakii, which has been implicated in outbreaks causing sepsis, meningitis or necrotising enterocolitis. Outbreaks that have been investigated have a mortality rate of as much as 50 percent.
Those who survive suffer from lasting complications. E. sakazakii has been detected in various types of food, but outbreaks of the disease have been linked only to powdered infant formula. The International Food Safety Authorities Network (InfoSAN) has noted that "powdered infant formula meeting current standards is not a sterile product and may occasionally contain low levels of pathogens. Present technology does not seem to allow for the production of commercially sterile powders."
InfoSAN recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. It also recommends that caregivers to infants should be informed that powdered infant formula is not a sterile product.
Thank you very much, Maricel, for helping us inform the public about breastfeeding and the hazards of infant formula. It is a matter of life and death for our babies.
Alexis Rodrigo
Senior Communication Assistant
UNICEF Manila