[View the story "GUMPs" on Storify ]GUMPs Storified by AJAMStream · Wed, Mar 19 2014 14:43:34
Use of formula milk as an alternative to breastfeeding has
declined among young mothers since the height of its popularity in 1972, when only
22 percent of women breastfed. In recent years, producers of formula have
started selling 'growing-up milk' products (GUMPs), formula products geared toward toddlers ages one to three. Some say this was done to offset losses in profit due to rising rates of breastfeeding.
The products are
marketed as a way for toddlers to gain additional nutrients vital to their growth. Demand for GUMPs has
increased by 400% in the past four years and 'toddler milk' generated more revenue than formula for infants and six to 12-month-old babies in 2013.
Wordpress
With comparable nutrients to cow's milk and at four times the price, critics say the product takes advantage of young parents' desire to provide for their toddlers. Health professionals and a recent
European Food Safety Authority study both argue GUMPs do not provide additional value to a balanced diet.
Some advertisements say GUMPs provide nutrition children may not be getting in their daily diet. In this video, one toddler nutrition product is promoted for its DHA, or docosahexaeonic acid, content. However, DHA
occurs naturally in breast milk.
Missing Piece of Nutritionenfamil
The products are especially popular in Asian markets, particularly Hong Kong.
Euromonitor
Some advertisements market the products as a way to make young prodigies out of young children.
qz.com
The Stream community contributed their thoughts. Many argued that the products are unnecessary and may involve misleading marketing.
@AJAMStream Is this yet another example of creating a need that didn't exist in order to turn a profit? I never heard of this before.Jess Young
@WajahatAli @AJAMStream all the nutrients a child would ever need comes from human breast milk from the motherAn Evolved Dracosaur
@AJAMStream It's costly because these companies were able to see they could have a bigger market if they expanded past 1 year. #AJAMStreamJustin Smith
Others defended toddler formula, arguing that they may be viable options for some mothers.
Everybody does what is best for them. If people think they need to buy Toddler Formula, then it is up to the parents to research this alternative to Cow's Milk or any other Nut Milk.Lucilla Feliciano
I have to defend this. I have a little boy that has survived solely on Pediasure for the first 6 years of his life and now on BKE 1.5. His body burns calories too fast for him to survive on regular food.facebook.com
It's totally not necessary but I did use it for one of my kids while we were in a foreign country because pasteurized milk was not available.Megan Page
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