Has anyone read the viral article on Facebook about Enfamil Gentlease killing a woman's baby??

Question

I'm really scared now, that's the formula that I give my baby... And if you read the comments on the article there are TONS of people whose babies have gotten very ill from using it.

Answer

Please don't panic about Facebook articles without looking up the truth. There was a death from a very rare bacterial infection possibly associated with one particular lot of Enfamil Newborn formula (not Gentlease). Some retailers have recalled that lot of formula as a precaution, although Enfamil tests every batch of formula and there was no bacteria present when it was made and shipped. The infection could have been caused by other environmental factors for that particular baby. An investigation is ongoing. If you use Enfamil Newborn, you can look up that lot number and get your money back if you've purchased it.

There was a different recall of Gentlease about 10 years ago, which is probably where the confusion came from.

Scaremongering rumors can fly around so fast these days. I just got tagged with the "J&J ADMITS their baby products cause CANCER!!!!" one, which is also vastly misleading. (Look it up before you panic.)

I'm not saying we mothers shouldn't be cautious, but be sensible also. Do your homework before you forward these things on. Find out the facts and calmly assess your own situation, whether you want to make changes for your own baby or not. It literally took 2 minutes of Googling to find out about the Enfamil case. I hope this eases your mind! Motherhood is scary enough with Facebook making it worse. :)

Answer

My hospital sent out an article back in June letting us know about this very rare bacteria. Most likely it wasn't from the formula pre opened but after it was opened AND environmental factors

http://www.cdc.gov/features/cronobacter/index.html

In reality it's an extremely sad story and I can't imagine what the family is going through but 4-6 cases/year is an extremely low amount. Always take precautions but there are definitely other things you should probably spend time worrying about

Also note that this can happen in ANY powdered formula and not jus that kind. The article I read made it clear that they had tested opened and unopened cans at this family's home and did not find any traces of the bacteria. If it was the formula it seems most definitely it was from environmental factors

Has anyone read the viral article on Facebook about Enfamil Gentlease killing a woman's baby??

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