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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