We in America have a dirty little secret. Our society protects the business of baby formula. It has gotten to the point where those who support and teach breastfeeding have been named in several recent articles as breastfeeding bullies and nipple Nazis. We have been accused of causing new mothers guilt for not choosing to breastfeed, and for judging mothers who choose to formula feed their infants.

I and every other breastfeeding advocate recognize the value of a readily available, affordable and accessible substitute for a mother's own milk when necessary or desired by the mother. My concern is quality and long-term effects on both the mother and her infant(s). Commercially produced baby formulas have never been subjected to independent, randomized, double-blind, controlled studies to establish their safety as a food for babies. Because the companies say they are safe, and our government has deemed them safe, we have all bought into their assumed safe use in infants. This has resulted in a century-long experiment on babies and mothers. Without the benefit of informed consent.