I just finished Shel Banks' book in the 'Why Matters' series, all about formula feeding and the formula industry. 

There are sections dedicated to

• 'Choosing and buying formula' - I don't know about you but as soon as I step foot in the baby isle of any shop...i'm overwhelmed by the different options...not just the different brands and packaging but the multitude of products by each individual brand! And the price ranges! What does it all mean?! Shel breaks it down.

• 'How to make up formula safely' - This is so important, and I love how Shel goes into the details of why, and what's more, acknowledges that it's not easy...which is why so many shortcuts have been designed or are shared amongst friends (prep-machines, cooling machines...and expensive ready-mades). Safely feeding our tiny people with their immature digestion and immune systems is so important.

• 'Responsive feeding - how often and how much' - Another very important area, particularly in those early days when formula companies would have new parents thinking their tiny newborn, with a tummy the size of the palm of their hand, is going to want 90mls of milk in a bottle 6 times a day....(I mean, God forbid they gut hungry before their scheduled 4 hour wait is up...)

• 'Night-time parenting' - A handy section, not only informing about how to continue to safely feed your baby at 3am and short-cuts may seem attractive, but also drawing attention to the reality behind the claims that formula-feeding makes babies sleep longer

• 'Troubleshooting' - A useful summary into all those classic newborn struggles you hear about: tongue-ties, colic, reflux, allergies...and how Formula and the process of bottle-feeding in general, may be a contributing factor alongside things that might need to be done about it!

• 'Rarer problems' - This delves into more about faltering growth, Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease, Lactose Intolerance and galactosaemia

• 'Alternatives to formula' - This has a great section dedicated to Human Milk donation options, with signposts to the appropriate networks where this can be done in a safe way as well as information about Supplementary Nursing Systems and a short section or relactation

• 'Where to find support with formula feeding' - As it says on the tin, this once again myth busts the idea that breastfeeding/lactation specialists are unable or unwilling to advise and support bottle and formula feeding parents while also suggesting how parents existing medical team - midwife, health visitor etc. - might be able to help or find someone who can

• 'Evaluating the research into formula feeding' - A useful reality check to end the book, drawing attention to the biases inbuilt in research and in advertising, not just in the area of Formula and infant feeding, but in any research we choose to read

It was choc-a-block full of information that I can't help feeling that anyone considering formula feeding should read!