Mothers urged not to share breast milk
Source: Agencies |
December 2, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
UNITED States health officials are cautioning new parents about sharing breast milk as a growing number of women are using social networks and other websites to share their milk instead of turning to infant formula.
Health experts have long promoted breast-feeding as the "perfect food" to provide babies with nutrients as well as ward off illness, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is worried by the practice.
In a statement on Tuesday, the agency urged parents not to casually use breast milk from other, unscreened mothers because of the risk of disease or contamination from bacteria, drugs or chemicals.
"The FDA recommends against feeding your baby breast milk acquired directly from individuals or through the Internet," the agency wrote. Instead, parents should talk to their doctors and use breast milk from special human milk banks, it said.
The move comes ahead of a public FDA meeting on Monday to discuss breast milk donations and banking.
It also follows some concern in recent years with the US$2.8 billion infant formula market that has seen controversy over chemicals in can linings as well as recalls.
A small network of self-regulated breast milk banks offer screened milk. But experts say they simply do not have enough milk to serve other mothers unable to breast-feed their babies.
Some women have turned to other women. Such web-based exchanges have flourished in recent weeks with the growth of "Eats on Feets," a new global exchange that connects women who want to donate milk with women who need it.
Health experts have long promoted breast-feeding as the "perfect food" to provide babies with nutrients as well as ward off illness, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is worried by the practice.
In a statement on Tuesday, the agency urged parents not to casually use breast milk from other, unscreened mothers because of the risk of disease or contamination from bacteria, drugs or chemicals.
"The FDA recommends against feeding your baby breast milk acquired directly from individuals or through the Internet," the agency wrote. Instead, parents should talk to their doctors and use breast milk from special human milk banks, it said.
The move comes ahead of a public FDA meeting on Monday to discuss breast milk donations and banking.
It also follows some concern in recent years with the US$2.8 billion infant formula market that has seen controversy over chemicals in can linings as well as recalls.
A small network of self-regulated breast milk banks offer screened milk. But experts say they simply do not have enough milk to serve other mothers unable to breast-feed their babies.
Some women have turned to other women. Such web-based exchanges have flourished in recent weeks with the growth of "Eats on Feets," a new global exchange that connects women who want to donate milk with women who need it.
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