WHO's Acceptable Medical Reasons for Using Infant Formula

We all know that breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants. However there are often medical reasons, either for the infant or mother, where breast feeding may not be suitable in the short or long term. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the 2009 edition of its publication Acceptable medical reasons for use of breast milk substitutes, part of the Baby Friendly Hospital Iniative (BFHI), for health professionals working with mothers and newborn infants.

The conditions affecting mothers that may require permanently avoiding breast feeding include HIV infections. Temporary avoidance  may be required if the mother is ill and can't look after her baby and where the mother is on medications such as psychotherapeutic drugs.

Infants with enzyme metabolic disorders such as galactosema, maple syrup urine disease and phenylketonuria should not be fed breast milk but a specialised infant formula. Some infants such as very low birth weight babies and very prem babies will need their breast milk supplemented for a limited time.

The full publication can be accessed at http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/WHO_NMD_09.01/en/index.htm