| The ICPA is compliant with the International Code
of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Frequently we get asked about recommendations
for breastfeeding substitutes. Of course we acknowledge that
breast is best, however there are some circumstances where
mothers need to supplement- one being in adoption.
Baby Bottle Update:
In reference to the recent concern over plastic
baby bottles and the health dangers of bisphenol
A (BPA), a chemical in many plastics, one bottle company
proudly announces BPA-free baby bottle products.
Read more about it here: www.newstarget.com/021719.html
Toxic Chemicals in Baby Bottles - Use Glass!
Just in case you haven't heard about it, we are providing you with
an article on toxicity from baby bottles. You can print this out here: http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/uploads/Ve/AQ/VeAQsr6MMu4xA3-2ibnr_g/Toxic-Baby-Bottl
es.pdf
Of course breast is best, however there are times
that even breast feeding mothers use bottles and they should
be informed as well.
New Guidelines for Powdered Infant Formula
WHO has new guidelines on reconstituting powdered infant formula which can be
found at http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/pif_guidelines.pdf.
WHO recommends that water be boiled first, cooled to 70C (158F), and used at
that temperature to reconstitute the formula. Higher temperatures can cause
problems with the formula and lower temperatures do not kill Enterobacter sakazakii
or other bacterial species that can be in the formula. The idea is to kill
intrinsic bacteria in the formula not to sterilize the water. It's not the
water that is contaminated, it is the formula!
Another good reference is:
Bowen AB, Braden CR. Invasive Enterbacter sakazakii disease in infants.
Emerg Infect Dis 2006; 12:1185-1189. The authors are from the CDC and
recommend that no infants under 4 weeks of age receive powdered infant
formula, including full term normal babies.
Below
are suggestions and resources provided by our members
in a request for information on natural supplementation:
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Joseph Mercola, DO has the most comprehensive information
on this subject:
A mother's breast milk is nature's perfect
and complete food for babies and can't even come close
to being reproduced. With so many substances
known to be present in breastmilk, but unable to be
replicated in breastmilk substitutes (formula), plus
all of the as-yet unidentified constituents, it should
come as no great surprise that children today are suffering
from a vast myriad of illnesses and disorders.
The human brain is infinitely more sophisticated than
the world's fastest computer, yet many people naively
think that this wondrous organ can be perfectly constructed
without any regard to the "raw materials" required.
Building a properly functioning brain requires the right
materials, just as building a computer would. Imagine
trying to build a computer from scratch, without any
microchips. Or trying to build a house without any lumber,
bricks, steel, or other materials.
However, while there is no way to create a formula equal
to breastmilk, there are steps that can be taken to improve
somewhat upon the standard formulas that are available. ..
To read this article in its entirety visit: http://www.mercola.com/2000/oct/22/infant_formula.htm
- Recipes for Homemade Baby Formula
The Westin Price Foundation has several recipes for homemade infant formula:
http://westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html
- Natural Formula for Toddlers:
One of our members has searched for
a natural formula and has come up with this website: baby
organic.com They seem to have a great milk
and soy based formula as an alternate to the commercial
brands most mothers know about. It is however limited to toddler
feedings.
The following are responses from our readers about natural
alternatives to breastfeeding:
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I am the mother of 10 mo. old
twins and 3 yr. old daughter. Breastfed
exclusively for 2+ years with my
first, but found that I needed help/sanity with nourishing
my twins. In my opinion, the commercial formulas are crap (excuse
my choice of words BUT it's the truth!). So I have been supplementing
with "Ultracare for Kids" by Metagenics. I also add approx.
1 tsp. of protein powder and 1 tbsp. of flax oil. I arrived
at my formula by looking at the minerals, vitamins, protein,
and fat ratios of the commercial brands. The Ultracare for
kids had very similar amounts of minerals and vitamins as the
other brands but lacked in protein and fat. Protein added depends
on what brand you're using and how much protein there is per
tbsp. I mix the Ultracare with approx. 6 oz. water and rice
milk. My recipe is not very scientific, but I do have a dietitian
looking at it to give me her two cents. I do know my children
are thriving so it can't be all bad. I still am nursing 3-4x/day
too.
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I was not able to breastfeed my
infant 100%, so I have to suppliment with a formula
for one or two bottles a day. I was determined not
to use the conventional formulas that are loaded with
corn syrup & other horrible ingredients,
so I located a website that was a tremendous help.
I also had
a phone consultation with the NMD that runs that website & we
created a "Healthy Infant Formula" together. That formula & it's
ingredients are located on the website. My pediatrician (who
is also an NMD) looked at the ingredients & suggested
I also add 1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses & 1 Tablespoon
spirulina to the formula. So far this formula has agreed
very well with my 11 week old baby girl. There are many healthy
options available on this website if you are willing to make
your own formula. It's very easy & well worth
the effort for your peace of mind! The
doctor is Dr. Thomas Lee & he is very helpful & informative.
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The nutritionist that I share
an office with recommends Ross Carbohydrate Free
Formula. You then add a few tablespoons of molasses
or rice syrup for sweetness.
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There are also wet nurses
and breast milk banks. I would think that anything
with dairy should be avoided including goat's
milk; I think about 25% of African Americans
and Asian Americans are lactiose intolerant.
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