Baby formula: The shocking misuse of marketing

How the baby formula industry dupes us all

Last ‘stack, I spoke about the known importance of breastfeeding. I also covered the UK’s shockingly low breastfeeding rates and explained why women face such challenges in this country.

Today, we’ll turn our attention to arguably the most important factor in breastfeeding’s decline: Big Formula and its pervasive marketing tactics.

As a quick reminder from last ‘stack, every woman has the right to choose how to feed their baby. And formula can play an important role for some mothers. 

But there should be a level playing field. New mums should have access to accurate information. They should be protected from marketing tools with almost infinitely deep pockets. 

And the formula industry has some of the deepest pockets: The sector is worth more than $55 billion per year.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Having a baby is a stressful, exhausting, and wonderful time. We want the best for our children, and we are highly susceptible to messaging on how to keep them safe. 

Currently, formula companies shout louder than legitimate healthcare organisations, and they have an outsized influence. It’s time to turn the tide.

Throughout this article, I’ll draw from an excellent and damning three-part Lancet series on the formula industry. If the following information doesn’t get your goat, nothing will.