Beverages marketed as “milk” for infants are unnecessary and some have questionable marketing practices, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to a study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition, the popularity of these milks, known as older infant formula (OIYCF), has increased significantly in recent years. According to this study, between 2006 and 2015 sales increased by 158%. But experts say there are some concerns about its use.
“Many parents mistakenly believe that OIYCF provides more than just that, something unique that a varied diet that includes milk and fortified foods cannot provide,” said Dr. said Dr. George Fuchs, lead author of the paper. A new report from AAP told ABC News. “This misconception may be primarily due to the advertising and branding of these products.”
The AAP recommends that infants drink infant formula or breast milk until they are 12 months old, then transition to cow's milk in addition to solid foods. Solid foods are usually introduced at about 6 months.
Infant 'formula' is sometimes sold as 'transitional' or 'weaning' formula for infants aged 0 to 12 months, according to a new report. But unlike infant formula, which must meet specific FDA guidelines for nutritional content, there are no standard nutritional requirements for infant formula, the report said.
“Infant formula is unnecessary for the majority of infants, and its nutritional value is inferior to whole cow's milk, especially when you consider the sugar content of infant formula,” says Pediatrician Gwinnett Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Kiana Washington says: A Georgia lawmaker who was not involved in the report told ABC News.
Dr. Najela St. Thomas, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist in El Paso, Texas, says there are misconceptions about the drink.
“One reason for their popularity is that parents and caregivers believe that these drinks provide similar nutrients to solid foods, and that young children have significant difficulty incorporating solids into their diets. This 'nutritious' alternative is readily available if you are in the same situation,” Santo Tomas said. He told ABC News that he was involved in AAP reporting.
In 1986, the World Health Assembly had already recognized that special formula for older children was unnecessary. In addition to the WHO, many world health organizations, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF, emphasize that a combination of breast milk, whole milk, water, and appropriate solid foods is nutritionally sufficient for most infants. Masu.
The AAP said in its report that infant formula is not necessarily dangerous or harmful to children. The report says it can be consumed as part of a balanced diet for infants over 12 months of age, but is not superior to cow's milk.
But a new AAP report says some companies producing OIYCF are hinting that their products add an important part of young children's diets, even though that's not the case. .
The AAP report says OIYCF is often very similar to infant formula, which can cause confusion among parents and caregivers. According to the report, some companies are using similar names, colors, designs and even slogans for OIYCF and infant formula.
Pediatricians interviewed by ABC News said parents and caregivers should ensure their infants have a diverse diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, dairy products, water, breast milk, infant formula, and whole milk. He said that efforts should be made to ensure that
Parents and caregivers should talk to their pediatrician about the role OIYCF plays in their child's diet.
“Any decision to deviate from the recommendation to introduce whole milk starting at 12 months of age should be made by parents in consultation with their pediatrician,” Dr. Washington said.
Daniel A. Carnegie, MD, MPH, MBA is a preventive medicine resident at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
