Sympathy Pain

So, last night, we changed formula to the Nestle Good Start brand. They have a milk based formula that has cultures in it to help digest. Sarah eats yogurt with these cultures to help her digest the milk. It seemed like a good idea, and he seems to be doing ok. Milk based formula seems to be the closest fit to breast milk.

But wait…I looked up Nestle formula online today, and there is some kinda world wide boycott. It’s Nestle for gosh sakes. They make such yummy chocolate goodness…how could they be bad? Say it ain’t so. I love the Kit Kat.

So, it is alleged (cause I don’t know the facts) that Nestle is some bully world wide about formula. It seems they are pushing it as an alternative/substitution for breast milk(which I thought it was). Now, in third world countries and impoverished areas, mothers are using lees of the formula than they should per serving to extend the life of one can, and the child is become malnutrioned or dying. Also, the water supply is tainted, and it the water is not properly sterilized, the baby could develop horrible illnesses. Opponents are saying that Nestle is not pushing the importance of breast feeding in these areas of the world, and therefore liable for the deaths. UNICEF say’s:

“Marketing practices that undermine breastfeeding are potentially hazardous wherever they are pursued: in the developing world, WHO estimates that some 1.5 million children die each year because they are not adequately breastfed. These facts are not in dispute.”

Here’s what comes up on Nestle’s web site:

Baby Foods
Breast milk is best for babies. Before you decide to use an infant formula consult your doctor or clinic for advice.

The production of infant food goes right back to the origins of the Nestlé Company. Henri Nestlé’s ‘Farine Lactée’ was the first product to bear the Nestlé name.

In 1867 a physician persuaded Henri Nestlé to give his product to an infant who was very ill — he had been born prematurely and was refusing his mother’s milk and all other types of nourishment. Nestlé’s new food worked, and the boy survived. From the very beginning, Nestlé’s product was never intended as a competitor for mother’s milk. In 1869, he wrote: “During the first months, the mother’s milk will always be the most natural nutrient, and every mother able to do so should herself suckle her children.”

The factors that made baby foods success in the early days of the Nestlé company — quality and superior nutritional value — are still as valid today for the wide range of infant formula, cereals and baby food made by Nestlé. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that there is a legitimate market for infant formula, when a mother cannot or chooses not to breast feed her child. Nestlé markets infant formula according to the principles and aims of the WHO International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes, and seeks dialogue and cooperation with the international health community and in particular with the WHO and UNICEF, to identify problems and their solution. Nestlé’s expertise as the world’s leading infant food manufacturer, gained over more than 125 years, is put at the disposal of health authorities, the medical profession and mothers and children everywhere.

So, it seems, there is some rule or law about advertising formula as a substitute in these area, and Nestle may be breaking that. Anyone?

So, I have been hearing a lot of old school parents swear by feeding cereal to help sleep, mine included. Jack’s pediatrician set the fear of God in me regarding this. He said under no circumstances should we supplement Jack’s food with cereal. So this was never an option to me. It still makes me cringe when I hear someone suggest this, or say they have implemented this process.

Yes, it helps baby sleep longer, but how? THEY CAN”T DIGEST IT!!! It sets there, filling his little puppy bellies, but not contributing to his health. If you add cereal to early, it’s just filler. It takes them longer to get rid of and they are not getting the nutrients they would normally get by more feedings. Here’s a clip from an article:

Young babies would not benefit from solid foods for many reasons. To start, they are not developmentally ready to deal with swallowing solids. A baby is unable to move solid food from the front to the back of the mouth for swallowing. Instead he tends to gag due to the extrusion reflex with which he is born. Young babies cannot break down the complex molecules in many proteins, fats and carbohydrates, so solid food may pass right through, or worse, cause unnecessary GI distress. Research indicates that children may develop food allergies if solids are introduced too early. Formula and breast milk provide the perfect balance of nutrients that he needs.

So, decide why you are supplementing. Is it for the baby or for you? I think you know which should be the answer. Here’s a chart with feeding suggestions. Before deviating you baby’s intake, check with the doctor.

OK, so Formula seems to be working for Tony. He has developed a rash/acne on his face, but I doubt that has much to do with the formula. It’s probably from detergent or lotion. But he seems to be doing well.

Now, we had the discussion about filtered water. We have a pitcher in the fridge. It has a Brita Filter. So we’ve been fixing the bottle then heating it on the stove. This was ok, but there was that lag time between “I AM A HUNGRY BABY!!! GET ME FOOD OR I WILL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!” to “Thanks for the nip.” So I thought we could get another pitcher and keep it at room temp, speeding up the process.

My lovely wife had a better idea. An in-line purifier for the sink.I bought one, installed it, and it rocks. We can start with the right temp water, purified, add formula, shake and serve. It’s awesome.

I also am amazed at how much easier feeding is now. Rather at home or away, it’s just easy. Storage is drastically simpler. Him visiting Grand Ma is a breeze. It’s just so much less stress.

Also, I have read a few article that state some essential minerals can not be passed through the breast. They suggest supplements for both mom and baby. Zinc is the big one I have found. Now, why don’t the “Breast is best” sites ever mention the need to supplement?

Maternal zinc deficiency can slow fetal growth (7). Zinc supplementation has improved growth rate in some children who demonstrate mild to moderate growth failure and who also have a zinc deficiency (22). Human milk does not provide recommended amounts of zinc for older infants between the ages of 7 months and 12 months, so breast-fed infants of this age should also consume age-appropriate foods containing zinc or be given formula containing zinc (2). Alternately, pediatricians may recommend supplemental zinc in this situation. Breastfeeding also may deplete maternal zinc stores because of the greater need for zinc during lactation (23). It is important for mothers who breast-feed to include good sources of zinc in their daily diet and for pregnant women to follow their doctor’s advice about taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

I wonder what else they are hiding…

We are moving to formula. Sarah’s boobs and Tony don’t seem to get along. He can’t be my kid…

So, here’s a subject I know nothing about, formula. I mean, powdered food…sounds like Tang to me. Cow’s-milk-based formula, soy-based formula, protein hydrolysate; what does it mean? I’ve been looking up things, and it’s OBVIOUS that breast milk is the best. Many pages are militant about the stance and make you feel like a horrible parent for considering other options. So, wading through all those, I’ve found a few more gentle sites with information that is helpful. But I still have a question.

Why do you need to boil the water first? Can it just be filtered water?

I emailed Enfamil to see what their answer is. I know well water and some city water has high levels of metals and such, but I figured a good filter would knock those out. Anyone have an answer.

Also, any other suggestions? We have been using the Enfamil, with, we think, good results. Does anyone have an opinion?

Not a cowgirl name. It’s a description of our day…

We went to the pediatric orthopedist. He was very optimistic about Tony’s leg. He diagnosed it as “Posteromedial Bowing of the Tibia”…um yeah. It is believed to be caused by the crossing of one leg over the other, cause one to actually form around the other, deforming the bones in one leg. He believes that with stretching exercises, the bones will straighten themselves. If their is not significant straightening before he begins to try to walk, the doctor will begin more aggressive treatment. However, because he will continue growing over the next 2 decades of his life, there is really no reason to get too aggressive until his teen years. He believes the worse case will be that leg being shorter by a few inches than the other. This would need a lengthening in his teens. He might need nothing more than time.

So there’s the straight leg part, on to the McBad Boob. Sarah has an infected milk duct. Doesn’t that seem like a crappy trick of nature? Sure, you can feed your child, and that’s the best method for him, but it’s going to hurt like passing a stone through your nipple and make you freakin sick. She woke up from a nap with a 101 degree temperature, shivering uncontrollably. So we called the OB/GYN and they called in some antibiotic. She’s taken a couple really hot showers and tried the hot compress. She can’t feed Tony though. The pain almost makes her pass out. So she’s been pumping to try to clear the duct up and provide him some milk. I know she feels bad about not being able to feed him directly, but passing out on him would suck.

So, that was a glimpse at a portion of our day. We won’t go into the broken radiator hose on my car, tires being low on the good car, getting new glasses, Jack asking if Santa Claus is real, or my oldest cat beginning to look like she needs medical assistance. Good night America.

Posteromedial Bowing of the Tibia, infected milk duct