Why not donate formula to Japan?

In cases of natural disaster, it's always good to be generous and show compassion.  We should always be moved and willing to give whenever we see need.

As a mom, I immediately thought of the Japanese children's basic needs; food and shelter.  As we brainstorm how we can help, quite often, we reach the simple solution of donating formula.  However, until the Haiti earthquake, I never knew that donating formula would lead to greater issues, and just thought that I would be helping a baby eat.  That is not the case.
  

Sadly, we actually saw higher illness and infant mortality in Haiti and after the tsunami of 2004, because of infant formula donation and it was all in the right spirit of generosity.  We just gave the wrong thing.

This is not a breast vs. bottle debate.  Even breast milk donation is discouraged.  It goes much deeper than that, pricking the topic of clean water.  Read some of the articles and before you flame me, hear why formula donation, all done with the best intentions, can cause more harm than good.

Here is why we shouldn't donate formula during natural disasters:

- Read about the problem with formula donations for Haiti (if you read one article, read this one!)
- UNICEF talks of the damage of donated formula OR breast milk in a natural disaster
- More talk of why not, dealing with longer history
- The ILCA has issued a press release regarding the natural disaster in Japan
- ** Edited to add current article about Japan and breastmilk donation


Of course, for children who are displaced, ready-mixed formula is needed, but the widespread donation of formula can lead to negative repercussions for years to come. 

As we begin to donate and give, let's remember global health experts agree that we can donate other things besides infant formula to Japan.

Feed the mother, feed the child.