Bottle feeding mums neglected

The push to promote breastfeeding has left women who bottle feed their babies feeling neglected and lacking in the training they need to use formula milk safely and correctly, a Queensland study suggests. The study is reported this week on www.itsmyhealth.com.au.
The study's authors said training in preparation, storage and administration of formula is necessary "to avoid infants being compromised by bacterial infections, diarrhoea, hypernatraemia [too high sodium levels], undernutrition and possible future hospital admissions.”
But in interviews with new mothers the researchers found that the one in five women who opted to bottle feed were given little or no information or training in how to prepare and administer formula and, unlike breastfeeding mums, they were offered no support after leaving hospital.
More information on this story and other information for parents with babies is available at www.itsmyhealth.com.au/healthy-living/news/bottle-feeding-mums-neglected.