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. 2012;5(5):275-83.
doi: 10.4066/AMJ.2012.1222. Epub 2012 May 31.

Milk sharing and formula feeding: Infant feeding risks in comparative perspective?

Karleen D Gribble  1 , Bernice L Hausman
Affiliations

Milk sharing and formula feeding: Infant feeding risks in comparative perspective?

Karleen D Gribble et al. Australas Med J. 2012.

Abstract

The advent of Internet forums that facilitate peer-to-peer human milk sharing has resulted in health authorities stating that sharing human milk is dangerous. There are risks associated with all forms of infant feeding, including breastfeeding and the use of manufactured infant formulas. However, health authorities do not warn against using formula or breastfeeding; they provide guidance on how to manage risk. Cultural distaste for sharing human milk, not evidenced-based research, supports these official warnings. Regulating bodies should conduct research and disseminate information about how to mitigate possible risks of sharing human milk, rather than proscribe the practice outright.

Keywords: Infant formula; breast milk; food contamination; health policy; wet nursing.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

KDG has previously published research on non-maternal breastfeeding, namely adoptive breastfeeding and foster breastfeeding, and has conducted a study of the perception and management of risk of donors and recipients in peer-to-peer milk sharing (as yet unpublished). She has also published papers on the risks associated with formula feeding. BLH is a feminist scholar who has previously published research on risk perceptions, HIV infection, and breastfeeding, as well as more general research exploring cultural impediments to breastfeeding and the social meanings of motherhood.

References

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    1. Health Canada raises concerns about the use of unprocessed human milk. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_202-eng.php. Health Canada. Available at: Accessed 6 January, 2011.
    1. http://www.afssaps.fr/Infos-de-securite/Communiques-Points-presse/L-Afss.... http://www.afssaps.fr/Infos-de-securite/Communiques-Points-presse/L-Afss... L’Afssaps met en garde sur les risques lies a l’echange de lait maternel – Communique. Available at: Accessed 11 December, 2011.
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    1. WHO, UNICEF. Geneva: WHO; 2003. Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.

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