Breast milk imparts a number of long-term health benefits to babies, including a lower risk of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But for a variety of reasons, many parents turn to formula. Now, several startups such as BIOMILQ and Helaina are working on new kinds of infant nutrition products that promise to better mimic parts of human breast milk—and may lead to advances in adult nutrition along the way. But to bring artificial breast milk to market, they’ll need to do some tough science and overcome regulatory and ethical hurdles. 

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Further reading: 

The ‘Arms Race’ to Build a Better Baby Formula 

Baby-Formula Shortage Worsened by Drop in Breast-Feeding Rates 

Baby-Formula Makers Face FTC Investigation for Collusion

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