Filippino mothers and their babies are paying a hefty price for advertising promoting powdered baby formulas over breastfeeding. Their government, as well as the UN, blames the manufacturers of formulas and their deceptive marketing practices for the drastic decline in breastfeeding.

In an attempt to thwart the health crisis, the Philippines' Department of Health decided to ban both baby formula advertising and training classes to mothers that are administered by formula manufacturers.

The pushback is extreme. The U.S. embassy, the U.S. regional trade representative and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have all started lobbying and pressuring the government of the Philippines to amend their new rules. Seems no matter how much our leaders talk about improving health and helping the impoverished, they will only listen to themselves as long as it doesn't infringe on profits.

Nestle and Gerber Do Not Equal Healthy Babies

Nestle continues to be one of the main culprits in dissuading third-world mothers from breastfeeding, in order to line their own pockets with blood money. Campaigners first called for a boycott of Nestle back in 1977 to try to limit their dirty marketing techniques in these poor countries. Thirty years later, it is crystal clear that it has done nothing to stop them, even though they are still one of the most boycotted brands in the world.

Unfortunately, infant formulas are still a popular choice here in the United States as well. I strongly advocate breastfeeding if at all possible. If for some reason you're unable to breastfeed, however, please read the Healthy Alternative to Conventional Infant Formula for advice on how to make homemade baby formula.

Avoid soy infant formulas at all costs.

Gerber, which in many people's minds still go hand in hand with the image of "healthy baby", was recently gobbled up by Nestle. However, Gerber baby cereal never was, and never will be, a real contender against breast milk or homemade baby food.