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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.
One of the nutritional areas that are woefully inadequate with
formulas is in regards to their fatty acid content. With all
of the anti-fat propaganda going on these days, most people don't
realize the critical importance of fat, especially with infants.
Not only is the quantity important, but the quality and breakdown
of the types of fat supplied as well.
After all, the brain is 60% lipid (fat).
Of this fat, approximately 12 % is arachidonic acid (AA) and 17%
is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Many people have heard about the benefits and importance of the
omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, found primarily in fish.
The importance of DHA in the infants' diet recently prompted many
countries (not including the US) to allow formula producers to fortify
their products with DHA, as well as AA. Currently, DHA/AA enhanced
formulas are available, although not mandatory, throughout most
of Europe.
Unfortunately, this small step still does not provide infants
the nutrients they desperately require, due to several problems.
First of all, the
DHA added to the formulas, obtained from microalgae, is highly oxidized
(approximately 30%).
Additionally, DHA and AA are not the sole fat constituents of
breastmilk. Fortifying with them is a step in the right direction,
but still leaves out plenty of important substances.
In an effort to help people provide their infants with the best
possible nutrition, we often instruct mothers to "create"
fortified formulas. But of course we insist that mothers breastfeed
if at all possible or even obtain fresh breastmilk from a lactating
friend or relative, if they have adopted a baby, or can't breastfeed
for some reason.
For the infant to remain as healthy as possible, he must obtain
a proper balance of all the essential fats, which is difficult
to impossible, especially when you are changing mother nature and
trying to create a formula.
However, below is a basic fat fortification protocol, which attempts
to come as close as possible to "the real thing":
-
Carlson's Cod Liver Oil
- one cc per ten pounds of body weight
-
Organic egg yolk - 1 yolk
daily added at four months of age
-
Organic cream ideally non-pasteurized
and non-homogenized -- If you are unable to find a local dairy
farmer who will cooperate with you please try this link: http://www.realmilk.com/where.html.
-
Omega Nutrition pure sesame, walnut,
safflower, sunflower, oils (rotate with above) -
1 teaspoon daily
-
One teaspoon high quality coconut
oil. This oil needs to be heated to 76 degrees to
become a liquid.
Supplemental oils like fish oils can't be added to bottles because
they will adhere to the sides, so it is necessary to administer
directly into the mouth. But base oils as safflower, sunflower and
sesame can be blended into the formula.
It is important, if not breastfeeding, to use one of the commercially
available formulas as a "base" from which to fortify the
infant's diet. Although some people might be tempted to create their
own homemade formula, I don't recommend this approach, as it is
just too dangerous that something could be inadvertently left out
or added in too great a quantity. A mistake could cost an infant
his life.
Nutramagen or Alimentum
can be used as a base infant formula and 'doctored up' with nutritional
perks. Both of these formulas are acceptable in regard to the 'allergic'
aspect, and are the ones usually used when children cannot tolerate
anything. Of course, they are also the most expensive.
FORTIFIED COMMERCIAL
FORMULA
Makes about 35 ounces
This stopgap formula can be used in emergencies, or when the
ingredients for homemade formula are unavailable.
- 1 cup Mead Johnson low-iron, milk-based powdered formula,
Nutramigen or Alimentum are best and better tolerated but are
more expensive
- 29 ounces filtered water (3 5/8 cups)
- 1 large egg yolk from an organic egg uncooked. Do not give
to infant unless older than four months of age
- 1 teaspoon cod liver oil
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend
thoroughly. Place 6-8 ounces in a very clean glass bottle. (Store
the rest in a very clean glass jar in the refrigerator for the
next feedings.) Attach a clean nipple to the bottle and set in
a pan of simmering water until formula is warm but not hot to
the touch, shake well and feed to baby. (Never heat formula in
a microwave oven!)
If your baby is premature, one additional area of fortification
is in the area of free amino acids, most notably taurine.
This nutrient is also critical for infant development and is found
in human milk but not in cow's milk. Although many formulas add
some taurine, it has been shown that formula-fed infants have lower
levels of taurine in their blood than breastfed infants do, even
when the formula has added taurine.
Contrary to the advice given by some, soy
milk, almond milk, or carrot juice, even if organic and homemade,
are most definitely NOT ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTES FOR BREASTMILK,
or even for formula.
For those mothers who
are breastfeeding, it is important to realize that the essential
fatty acid content of her breast milk coincides with what she eats.
Therefore, her diet is very important for the health of her baby.
One of the most important things that a breastfed mother can do
is to avoid foods containing trans fats, such as margarine and anything
with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
While one can't guarantee that taking the steps outlined above
will completely eliminate problems such as ADD/ADHD and other behavioral
problems, developmental problems, autism, visual difficulties, and
others, I believe it is a strong possibility that it could help
to reduce their incidence, although it is important to always remember
that BREAST IS BEST.
Please recognize that soy
formula is an unmitigated disaster for infants and should never
be used. Fact is, it can harm your baby, as it is high in:
- Manganese
- Aluminum
- Phytoestrogens that will harm your baby
(For more information please read the links below.)
Alternatively a raw milk formula can be made:
MILK-BASED FORMULA From Weston
Price Foundation
Makes 36 ounces
Our milk-based formula takes account of the fact that human milk
is richer in whey, lactose, vitamin C, niacin, and long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to cow’s milk but leaner
in casein (milk protein). Use only truly expeller-expressed oils
in the formula recipes, otherwise they may lack vitamin E.
The ideal milk for baby, if he cannot be breastfed, is clean,
whole raw milk from goats. If goats are not available, them milk
from cows certified free of disease, that feed on green pasture
would be a second best choice. For sources of good quality milk,
see www.realmilk.com
or contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose
whole milk, preferably organic and unhomogenized, and culture
it with a piima or Kefir Culture
to restore enzymes.
2 cups whole milk, raw (non-pasteurized) milk from pasture-fed
cows
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See
recipe for whey)
4 tablespoons lactose (available from The Apothecary 301-530-1112)
1 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis
2 or more tablespoons good quality cream raw (non-pasteurized),
more if you are using milk from Holstein cows
1 teaspoon cod liver oil
1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons coconut oil
2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons gelatin
1 7/8 cups filtered water
1/4 teaspoon acerola powder
Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved.
Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel
container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very
clean glass bottle, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering
water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle
well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave
oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients
well in a blender.)
Variation: Goat Milk Formula
Although goat milk is rich in fat, it must be used with caution
in infant feeding as it lacks folic acid and is low in vitamin
B12, both of which are essential to the growth and development
of the infant. Inclusion of nutritional yeast to provide folic
acid is essential. To compensate for low levels of vitamin B12,
add 2 teaspoons frozen organic raw chicken liver, finely grated
to the batch of formula. Be sure to begin egg-yolk feeding at
four months.
Related
Articles:
Soy Formulas and
the Effects of Isoflavones on the Thyroid
Experts Dispute JAMA Soy
Infant Formula Study
Soy Milk Is Safe! That Is
What the Formula Industry Says
Australian
Pediatric Soy Protein Formula Policy
How Safe is Soy Infant
Formula?
Soy Formula Exposes Infants
To High Hormone Levels
Soy Baby Formula Linked
to Behavioral Problems
Infant Formula Increase
Diabetes Risk
Ingestion Of Cow's Milk
In Early Infancy May Lead To Diabetes
Milk Increases Risk
of Type 1 Diabetes
Supplemented
Formula Ups Infant Intelligence
DHA Improves Vision
in Preterm Infants
Fish Oil Improves
DHA Status Of Malnourished Infants
Is DHA The Secret
Of Breast Milk's Success?
Breastfeeding
Linked To Higher IQ
Fish or EPA/DHA Supplements
May Help Protect Vision
The Role of Taurine
in Infant Nutrition
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