When we’re raising a child, the first few months are so important in terms of feeding and nutrition, and we’ll take all the professional advice that we can get on the subject. This is why the latest finding regarding baby formula is particularly significant.
Experts in the UK claim to have statistical evidence proving that certain baby formulas do not reduce a baby’s risk of developing allergies, contrary to what we have been told in previous tests and studies.
The study, carried out by a team of researchers at Imperial College London, centred on hydrolysed baby formula. This formula, which is heated to break down milk proteins for easier digestion, was previously said to reduce an allergy-prone child’s risk of developing conditions such as milk allergy or eczema.
In a concerning development however, the new research – published this week in the British Medical Journal – has found that there is no statistical proof of risk reduction for babies who consume this formula.
Even more alarming is the team’s belief that some of these findings and recommendations may have been biased, with some milk manufacturers themselves contributing money to said research.
As part of the research, the team analysed the data of 19,000 subjects, comparing the effect of the hydrolysed formula to standard formula.
Commenting on their findings, study author Dr Robert Boyle said: “Despite parents being advised these hydrolysed milk formulas may reduce the risk of conditions such as milk allergy and eczema, we found no evidence to support these claims.”
“Not only did we find no evidence of reduced risk from hydrolysed formula, but we found very few studies which were methodologically sound and without a conflict of interest,” he added.
Since the report’s publication, there have been calls for European and international authorities to amend their formula-feeding guidelines accordingly.
