Most people calculate the cost of baby formula by adding up the price of formula, feeding bottles and rubber nipples. They might also include the cost of sterilizing everything, which requires clean water and energy.

However, the real cost of baby formula includes the costs of increased risks for diseases that formula-fed children have, compared to breastfed children. These include medical care, medicine, hospitalization and time off from work that parents have to take to care for the sick child. Increased illness also impacts on the child’s growth and development. Finally, the manufacture and use of baby formula places a burden on the environment.

The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and INFACT Canada have concluded that infants fed with baby formula have increased risks for:

Diarrhea and Pneumonia

Formula-fed babies have been shown to get sick twice as often and 3 times longer than breastfed babies. They also have increased risk of pneumonia and diarrhea. In contrast, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life prevents at least 33 per cent of diarrhea cases.

Asthma

Babies fed infant formula have a 40-50 per cent higher risk of developing asthma and wheezing than infants breastfed for at least nine months.

Allergies

Children who were breastfed the longest in infancy had the lowest incidence of atop, eczema, food allergy and respiratory allergy.

Reduced Intelligence

Children who were formula-fed in infancy had lower IQ points than breastfed children. Greater differences were observed with children who were breastfeed longer.

Infection From Contaminated Formula

The International Food Safety Authorities Network says that it is not possible to manufacture sterile powdered baby formula. Therefore, the risk of contamination is always present. In fact, baby formula products are being recalled all the time, because of contamination with anything from molds to metal particles to bacteria.

Chronic Diseases

Children who receive little or no breast milk are at increased risk for becoming overweight and developing diabetes and cancers, including leukemia.

The true cost of baby formula cannot be counted in dollars and cents. It is not possible to calculate the cost of illness and even death of a child in a family. However, it must be considered that increased risk for illness and disease – even death – are part of the cost of baby formula. The loss of human potential in the form of potential intelligence that was not realized because of formula-feeding is another important and incalculable cost. Parents who want to make an informed decision on how to feed and nourish their children should be aware of the true cost of baby formula.