Concerns raised over milk that 'helps babies sleep longer'

Daily Mail



Parents are being misled by claims that some formula milks help babies settle more easily and sleep longer, Government experts have warned.

So-called Good Night milks by Hipp Organic and Cow and Gate, given to babies aged six months and over, are attacked for making claims about 'settling baby for the night' or being 'gentler on the baby's tummy'.

They are also heavily criticised for undermining breastfeeding and it is feared that they could rot babies' teeth. Really?

The formula milks, which are thickened with cereals to help them take longer to digest, have been available in the UK for just over a year and have been seized on by weary parents desperate to get their babies to sleep through the night.

The Government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition said there was no evidence that Good Night milks offered any nutritional advantage over other follow-on formulas - for babies over six months - or infant formulas-which can be used from birth.

Its statement added: 'Specifically the committee is unaware of published scientific evidence to support the statements being made about "settling the baby for the night" or being "gentler on the baby's tummy".'

There is also a risk that busy mothers may consider the product suitable for 'settling' their baby during the day and use them more often, or even use them for infants under six months.

Another worry is that the products could encourage parents to put their baby to bed immediately after bottle-feeding which would result in prolonged exposure to a feed rich in carbohydrates.

This, over time, could rot a baby's developing teeth.

Although both Cow and Gate and Hipp Organic Good Night milks advise cleaning a baby's teeth after the last feed at night, the committee pointed out that 'such practice would appear at variance with the 'settling' routine suggested on the Cow and Gate product'.

As the Good Night milks could replace a night-time breastfeed, the committee was concerned that the claims made by the products could undermine breastfeeding.

Rosie Dodds, of the National Childbirth Trust, said: 'We are concerned that statements such as "settling the baby to sleep for the night" are further reinforcing the myth that all babies should sleep through the night, whereas it is perfectly natural and healthy for a baby of this age to wake up at one or more points through the night.'

Sally Griffiths, spokesman for Cow and Gate, said: 'These milks have been widely used in Europe for years.

'The primary drive behind the product is that mums say it works.

'We have never said it makes babies sleep - we say it helps settle your baby as part of a bedtime routine.'

Helen Gardiner, a dietician working for Hipp Organic, said: 'Our product has been reformulated and does now conform to the rules on follow-on milks, including carrying an important notice that breast is best. It does help settle babies, although we don't say that any more.'

Well, they could always use bourbon.

Quote

the products could encourage parents to put their baby to bed immediately after bottle-feeding which would result in prolonged exposure to a feed rich in carbohydrates.

Real milk is also rich in carbohydrates, specifically lactose, or milk sugar. The same is true for human milk.

As the Good Night milks could replace a night-time breastfeed, the committee was concerned that the claims made by the products could undermine breastfeeding.

Well I don't see a problem with that, people have to replace Breastfeed someday. Why the hell the committee is so concern about 'this will replace breastfeeding' anyway? Unless they want the parents to Breastfeed their kid until they kid turns 30 y/o.

Proving once again that the core of the debate is not really the health of the children, but power of the Almighty Boob and the miraculous nectar that it doth issue.

Still another magical act a woman's private parts can do.

That gives moos such a perverse ego trip, huh?=P