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Letter Writing Opportunity - Cable News Network
This is a letter to Cable News Network (CNN) in response to their recent article, "Babies Get Smoke from Breast Milk, Too". The letter is asking them to correct the tone of the article. It does not discuss the hazards of formula feeding, and may raise misconceptions about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding. Please feel free to personalize it where applicable. Download text version

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

While I was pleased to see your June 9th report, "Babies Get Smoke from Breast Milk, Too," on the transmission of cotinine through the breastmilk of smoking mothers, I was disappointed that the risks associated with formula use were not mentioned. Because of this, and because cotinine in and of itself is not linked to any health risks, I believe that the report gave the impression that it is better to use formula than for a smoking mother to breastfeed. In fact, breastmilk is better and safer for a baby than formula in nearly all circumstances, and research demonstrates that there is a 1.8-fold increased risk of respiratory disease in formula-fed infants of smoking mothers as compared to breastfed infants of smoking mothers.

Chemicals and dioxins are present throughout our environment, so formulas derived from cow's milk and pesticide-treated soybeans cannot be assumed o be any freer of contaminants than breastmilk. In addition, formula lacks components of breastmilk uniquely designed for the human infant because they cannot be synthetically reproduced. In particular, we cannot discount the immunological benefits of breastfeeding. Studies show that women who were themselves breastfed are at decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. By discouraging breastfeeding, we may in fact put our children at greater risk to environmental toxins.

Formula feeding is associated with a higher incidence of allergies, cognitive deficiencies, cardiorespiratory disturbances, morbidity, and mortality. Formula fed infants have 10 times the risk of hospitalization due to bacterial infection, double the risk of lower respiratory tract infections, 3-4 times the risk of otitis media, 3-4 times the risk of diarrheal illness (in industrialized nations), and 5-8 times the risk of childhood lymphomas. Formula feeding accelerates the development of celiac disease and is a risk factor for Crohn's disease and adult ulcerative colitis. Formulas have been found to contain potentially toxic levels of itamin D, aluminum, high levels of iodine, and bacterial contaminants including Enterobacter sakazakii. For the citations for these facts, as well as other risks associated with the use of formula, please refer to the International Lactation Consultant Association's (ILCA) published summary of the hazards of formula use.

Clearly, breastfeeding must be supported and encouraged if we are committed to raising healthy children. I strongly urge you to correct any misconceptions about the relative risks and benefits of breastfeeding caused by this report by disseminating the hazards associated with formula use.

Sincerely,