...
Skip to content

How is baby formula dangerous for your child?

How is baby formula dangerous for your child?
How is baby formula dangerous for your child?

REPORTED BY

Follow our coverage on Google News

Ground Report | New Delhi Baby formula dangerous for child; Common side effects of infant formula, such as upset stomach, gas, or diarrhoea, usually stem from food allergies to the dairy or soy in infant formula. In rare cases, cow’s milk formula can increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a serious intestinal disease that affects premature babies.

Common side effects of infant formula are usually caused by food allergies, contaminated formula, or using formula without proper nutrition. For example, many infant formulas are made with cow’s milk, and cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common infant allergies. About seven per cent of babies under 12 months are allergic to cow’s milk protein, according to the UK’s National Health Service.

Baby formula has all the nutrition needed by a baby, but studies show formula-fed babies may have a greater risk of respiratory infections, allergies, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), obesity, cognitive development issues and other health risks compared to breastfed babies.

Source: Italian Journal of Pediatrics

U.S. health officials warned parents not to use three popular powdered milk formulas that were produced at an Abbott plant in Michigan and that researchers recently linked to bacterial contamination.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA for its acronym in English) reported that it is investigating four reports of children who were hospitalized after consuming the formula, including one who died. The agency said one of the cases involved salmonella and three others involved Enterobacter sakazakii, a rare but dangerous bacteria that can cause blood infections and other serious health complications.

Serious Side Effects of Baby Formula

Infant formulas rarely cause serious side effects. But food allergies, nutrient deficiency, or contamination with baby formula can lead to serious health problems if left unchecked.

Premature babies can also develop a serious condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) when they take cow’s milk infant formulas such as Enfamil or Similac. NEC affects one in 1,000 babies born prematurely, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The risk is greatest for babies who weigh less than two pounds at birth.

Life-threatening food allergy symptoms, such as swelling of the mouth or throat, hives, and vomiting, are a medical emergency. These can occur within days or weeks of starting cow’s milk infant formula. Babies can also be allergic to soy protein formula. Seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Side Effects of Switching Baby Formulas

Sometimes your baby’s pediatrician may recommend changing infant formulas. It may be due to food allergies, formula intolerance, or other medical issues. Some babies may have side effects when switching infant formulas, but these are usually mild digestive problems, such as changes in the stool.

Signs that a baby is not tolerating one type of formula well include diarrhoea, constipation, gas, or frequent vomiting. More serious intolerance problems include bloody stools, congestion or wheezing after eating.

It can be a shock to a baby’s sensitive digestive system if you switch formulas too quickly. Parents should transition a baby to the new formula by slowly adding it to feeding times. Be sure to talk to your paediatrician about how to properly transition your baby and how long to try a new formula to avoid side effects.

You can connect with Ground Report on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and Whatsapp and Subscribe to our YouTube channel. For suggestions and writeups mail us at GReport2018@gmail.com Baby formula dangerous for child

ALSO READ: What is Tamil Wordle, Why is it trending?

 Who is Lorri Haines Boyfriend of Ferne McCann ‘sniffing white powder’?

How to crack Wordle game: 5-letter to use first

What is Wordle? How to play and win the internet’s latest game obsession

Author

Support Ground Report to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India

We do deep on-ground reports on environmental, and related issues from the margins of India, with a particular focus on Madhya Pradesh, to inspire relevant interventions and solutions. 

We believe climate change should be the basis of current discourse, and our stories attempt to reflect the same.

Connect With Us

Send your feedback at greport2018@gmail.com

Newsletter

Subscribe our weekly free newsletter on Substack to get tailored content directly to your inbox.

When you pay, you ensure that we are able to produce on-ground underreported environmental stories and keep them free-to-read for those who can’t pay. In exchange, you get exclusive benefits.

Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked, thank you for being part of the movement.

EXPLORE MORE

LATEST

mORE GROUND REPORTS

Environment stories from the margins