Baby health scares – behind the headlines

It feels like almost every day, there’s another baby health scare in the news, so let M&B’s experts allay your fears

As a new mum, knowing what’s best for your baby can be a real minefield, even without all the health scares that come at you thick and fast from the newspapers and TV.

Flooded with feelings of your new responsibility, it’s often a struggle to make sense of all the confusing ‘evidence’ warning you about the dangers of everything your baby eats, drinks, breathes and does.

As Dr Peter Marsh, who has carried out research into the effects of frequent health scares, says: ‘In recent years, we’ve been bombarded with a series of scare stories, and in a lot of cases there seem to be U-turns quite quickly afterwards.

It seems to be the case that “scientific facts” are often reported in the media without thorough research to back it up.’

But how do you know what to take seriously and what to ignore? Below we look at a few of the baby health ‘scare’ stories that have been in the news recently, asking whether they’ve been backed up by further research and what – if anything – you need to do to minimize the risk to your baby.

What the headline says

‘Breast milk is full of toxins’

A study by the World Wide Fund for Nature UK recently threw mums into a panic when it claimed that breast milk contained more than 350 potentially toxic substances that had accumulated in women's fat tissue. 

Scientists were quick to point out, however, that these contaminants are everywhere – including formula milk. Because they’re present in the environment, we eat, drink and breathe them in all the time – so it's no wonder they’re found in breast milk.

What the doctor says

Mother and Baby GP Dr Phillipa Ridley says: ‘Unfortunately we are all exposed to environmental toxins all the time – and your baby's exposure will start while in the womb. It’s true that there have been environmental pollutants found in both breast milk and formula milk, but the extent of health risks, if any, remain unknown.

It certainly doesn’t mean that breastfeeding your baby is bad; it’s the best thing you can do for your baby, especially as it contains powerful antioxidants which can really help to reduce the toxic effects of our environment.’

What the headline says

‘The MMR jab causes autism’  

Parents all over the country are still very anxious and confused about the safety of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, following a flood of publicity about research linking the triple vaccine with autism and Crohn's disease, an incurable bowel disorder.

Many studies have since disproved the claims, but one of the main concerns expressed by parents is the conflicting information that they’ve been given by the media.

Many of us are now so muddled by the huge amount of publicity the debate has sparked that we do not know who, or what, to believe.

What the doctor says

The Department of Health firmly states that there is no evidence of any connection between the MMR and bowel disease or autism. ‘This is a huge media scare,’ says Dr Ridley.

‘I would strongly advise parents to have their babies vaccinated against these diseases. Before the vaccination was available, children died from complications that arose after measles and mumps.

Vaccination is vital to protect your baby – and the community  – from these potentially dangerous infections. The low risks, if any, of side-effects are far outweighed by the potential risks of any complications from those illnesses developing in your baby.’

What the headline says

‘Fluoride can damage your baby’

A number of reports have questioned the safety of putting fluoride in toothpaste and water supplies, and campaigners are increasingly angry that the risks of fluoride poisoning are not better publicized.

In the US, there is a mandatory warning on every tube of fluoridated toothpaste, and many anti-fluoride campaigners in the UK, including a growing number of dentists, believe it should banned from toothpastes and water altogether.

Dental fluorosis is not only discolours teeth but is a sign of chronic fluoride poisoning, and children are more vulnerable than adults. Anyone overdosing on fluoride, according to some research, is in danger of developing chronic skeletal fluorosis, which can weaken bones and cause arthritis. 

What the doctor says

‘Toothpaste designed for children under six has very low levels of fluoride which can help protect teeth from decay,’ says Dr Ridley. ‘If large amounts are swallowed regularly, fluorosis of permanent teeth can occur resulting in a permanent mottled effect, so use no more than a pea-sized amount, and encourage them to spit it out as they get older and supervise brushing until at least seven years old.’

What the headline says 

Soya milk contains dangerous hormones

Soya milk is often used by parents when cow’s milk formula is not an option. But recent research from the US claims that soya infant formulae contains very low levels of a chemical similar to the female sex hormone oestrogen which is known to effect human development in high doses. Previous experiments have also shown that the oestrogen in soya can weaken the immune system of rats.

What the doctor says

‘Soya milk and other products have been promoted as a healthy substitute for cow’s milk, but has since has been linked to a number of health scares, including cancer, dietary deficiencies and particularly hormonal disruption.

However, the actual risks have not been proven or confirmed. But parents should always seek the advice of a health professional before giving soya milk to their baby. And your baby has a milk intolerance, he may also have a soya intolerance.’
 

What the headline says 

‘Fruit is coated in pesticides’

The Soil Association recently claimed that 25 dangerous pesticides were found in samples of fruit, including those given to children at schools and nurseries, sending parents into a panic.

The high proportion – 65% – of school fruit and vegetable samples that contained a cocktail of these pesticides is of particular concern because almost no research has been done to see if the chemicals found in fruit are safe.

In addition, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that children are at particular risk from exposure to pesticides.

What the doctor says

It’s important to continue to give fruit and veg to your child – don’t be put off by scares like these. All but two of the residues found in school fruit and vegetables were below the government's official maximum residue level, and the Pesticide Residue Committee says they present no risk to human health.

‘Always peel any fruit or veg you give your child, whether you’re making purees or finger foods,’ says Philippa. 

The things you MUST be worried about

SALT Never add it to your baby’s food; it will damage his immature kidneys, which are unable to process it

PASSIVE SMOKING There’s no two ways about this one. Medical evidence has conclusively shown that passive smoking has a detrimental effect on children's lungs and there is also good evidence that suggests that passive smoking worsens the effects of asthma, and increases the risk of diseases such as cancer as well as cot death.

PUTTING YOUR BABY TO BED IN THE WRONG POSITION Studies show that placing a baby to sleep on his back significantly reduces the number of babies affected by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death).

The feet-to-foot position is the safest position to put your baby to sleep in a cot. This means that his feet should almost touch the end of the cot, preventing him from wriggling under the covers and bedclothes

WEANING BEFORE SIX MONTHS This has several negatives – your baby's digestive system and kidneys may not be able to cope readily with solids; early weaning may trigger allergies especially if there is a family history of allergies and it may also increase the risk of obesity and other possible health problems later in life.

GIVING PEANUTS TO A BABY OR SMALL CHILD Avoid giving your child any peanuts or peanut products until he or she is at least three years old in case of allergies. Don’t give whole peanuts to any child under the age of five because of risk of choking.