Sympathy Pain

I wrote a few days ago about the boycott on Nestle. I continued to read up on the issue. We have continued to use Nestle Good Start formula with Natural Culture. It seems to be the best fir for Tony. I did send Nestle corporate an e-mail, and here’s the response:

Dear Mr. Comer,
you may want to check our dedicated website www.babymilk.nestle.com
Be reminded that the information available on Wikis about the Nestlé boycott is about half urban legend.
You may also want to check reference documents as this one from the WHO : www.who.int/nutrition/publications/code_english.

regards,
Nestlé Student Information

I waded through some of the pamphlets and such. Now, all of this is on the Nestle web site, so there may be a polishing of the truth to make them look better. Maybe not, but here are a couple of the “myths” as they put it, and their response:

Myth: Some mothers have received free samples of infant
formula from Nestlé in South Africa.
Reality: A campaign group report stated that three mothers had received free Nestlé infant formula. This is true, but does not give the whole picture. The Nestlé formula actually came from the Government Department of Health as part of its initiative to address protein energy malnutrition. This government programme involved procuring infant formula on tender from manufacturers including Nestlé and, where deemed necessary by health officials,giving it free to mothers whose children were suffering from protein energy malnutrition.

The boycott pages made it seem like the mothers of poorer area were using Nestle because it was been given to them and spun as the only substitute. Here’s a clip:

Even though some rural mothers are illiterate, they are intelligent enough to know that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby and that it costs nothing. If for any reason a mother cannot breast-feed (as it is sometimes the case), alternatives are found. For mothers with very limited income, infant formula is not even a consideration. Mothers use alternatives such as fresh cow’s milk, rooibos (bush tea), maize-meal porridge and samp water (water drained from cooked, crushed corn). Whether these are the best alternatives to breast-milk is questionable, but they are used out of necessity and are introduced immediately the mother’s milk is insufficient or unavailable.

So I guess I am not sure what the issue rally is. If all I read on Nestle’s page is true, I don’t see why the boycott continues.

Tony gave Sarah a shock this morning…projectile vomit. It’s a little unnerving with the entire contents of a babies stomach and intestines come out of his mouth at the speed of sound. She woke me up at about 7:00 as she was getting ready for work. I know her Monday’s are crazy, so I sent her to work while I took care of the baby…and not 15 minutes after she left, this is the baby I had…

He had no fever, and took a small bottle without any issues…then a full bottle 2 hours later. I think he was refilling his tank. I did look up the PV just to make sure, and it looks like I did the right thing.

I have to admit, I hated spend 4 hours at home with a happy baby

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.

Our dogs…god bless them…are a great team. Little dog will drag out anything, most of which makes no sense to us. Charlie will then follow her lead. It’s the deaf leading the cute but dumb.

This has been a theme throughout our relationship. Before we lived together, and even before Charlie. I bought Sarah a pack of yellow peeps when we first started dating. Little dog and her crew in Sarah’s old house, took care of them. Many shoes have gone to that big closet in the sky. Chocolate, tic tacs, Jack’s power rangers. All demolished, usually starting with Mable’s curiosity.

Well, this morning, we discovered the newest victim. Someone, who had to be taller than our usual instigator, must have pulled a can of formula of the counter. So it looks like Mable has taught Charlie some bad habits. Somehow they took the can out the dog door and had a formula feast during the night.

So, I wonder how good or bad this is for the beasties. I do know they picked an expensive new target. And, it would suck to wake up and they have hunted down the last can in the house. So, we will be finding a better place, away from the pointer’s reach, to keep the baby food.

Formula…who knew. Maybe it’s a natural enemy in the wild. That’s where the saying “fighting like soy based formula and dogs.”

So we switched over to formula. We were using Enfamil Lipil,a cow milk based formula. Tony seemed to do well on this, especially when we got the amount correct. He was more gassy and tended to be fussy longer because of it. Sarah then tried the Kirklands knock off of Lipil, and the fussiness got worse. Now, Tony is not a crazy baby, but fussy is still fussy, and therefore unhappy.

So, Sarah switched him over to a soy based formula…you get a lot of samples in the hospital. Similac Isomil Advance Soy formula. I had no idea there were so many “type” of formula. He does seem to be a happier baby. His doctor said she had done the right thing. I found an article below stating the reason one might use the Soy based. Sarah is lactose intolerant, and it seems this can be hereditary…who knew.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, in their policy statement on Soy Protein-based Formulas: Recommendations for Use in Infant Feeding, states that ‘in term infants whose nutritional needs are not being met from maternal breast milk or cow milk-based formulas, isolated soy protein-based formulas are safe and effective alternatives to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.’

Unfortunately, there is very little research that describe the risks or benefits to babies drinking soy formula, even though soy based baby formula has been in use for over 40 years.
The AAP also states that there is also some concern that babies ‘absorb calcium and some other minerals less efficiently from soy formulas than from milk-based formulas.’ Soy formulas have more calcium than milk based formula to help offset this though.

Because of these concerns, soy based baby formula should only be used when indicated, including:

babies who have galactosemia or hereditary lactase deficiency

parents who wish to raise their term baby as a vegetarian

infants with true lactose intolerance (a lactose free formula might be a better alternative in this case though)

infants who have an IgE mediated allergy to cow milk proteins (although these babies may need a hypoallergenic formula if they are also allergic to soy formula)

So basically, as the AAP states, ‘healthy full-term infants should be given soy formula only when medically necessary,’ but soy formula is still ’safe and effective’ when needed.

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…

So…it happened. Not 24 hours after posting how my nights go with Tony. I got up at 2 when I heard that little “I’m hungry” whimper. I get him out of his crib. Throw his bottle into hot water. Sarah prepares a bottle every night…which helps a bunch. I change his diaper, grab a drink for myself, hit the head, grab him and his bottle, and settle in on the couch. Turned on the tube, started flipping through info commercials and bad late night TV.

After about half a bottle, I burped him…and he spit up. “That’s weird, he usually doesn’t do that.” So I clean him up and get another burp cloth and settle back in.

After the bottle was empty, I burped him again, and instead of the sleepy baby or happy baby I’m use to, he has a look of “oh shit” in his eyes. I burp him some more, and he spits up more. “This isn’t fun”.

So about 3 hours later, after rocking and burping and walking and burping and snuggling and burping we collapse on the couch. No good bonding time, just a helluva fussy baby. After a quite 15 minutes, I get up and get him to bed and pass out beside Sarah.

He woke Sarah up about 30 minutes later to eat. it was a long night for the binja.

One of my favorite times of the day is around 3:00am. Yes I’m sleepy and a bit bearish at first, but once I’m up and around, the next hour or so is cool.

“Why’s he up so early?” “Where’s Bryan and what have you done with him?” Well, it is true I like my sleep, but the 3 am feeding is mine. Tony is a very laid back kid, or my feelings on this might be a little different, so the middle of the night bottle is a good time for us. It’s one of the few times in the day that the house is quite, I’ve got total control of the remote or music, and it’s just us. Sometimes we play alittle, others is just business and back to sleep.

I know many fathers who are apprehensive about time with the baby. They don’t speak the same language. They do weird things like looking for a nipple on your arm. Their movements are automatic and non controllable. They are so fragile. They cry. Guess what, they are the exact same way for mom. So whatever fears you have, know that mom is probably having the same ones. It’s natural. However, you need to build a bridge. put the negative behind you. Know that you can do this.

Have fun. That baby is going to cry and you are not going to cause permanent damage if he does. Just stay relaxed. Talk to him. Laugh. Give him good vibes instead of stress. The important thing is to stay in control. Just relax. If you feel yourself going to the dark side, take a break. He’ll be fine. Then, have fun. play with those toes. Make “super flying binja baby”…or something. Burp and hold him. Snuggle. It’s all fun stuff.

So that’s why, my friends, I can get up at 3:00 am and, within just a few minutes, have a smile on my face…even if the boy is trying to eat my arm and whimpering. It’s all about attitude. Just remember to have fun.

It was a hellish weekend…not “somebody died from a rattlesnake bite to the face” hellish…just busy. Jack had a Basketball Tournament this weekend, some Christmas thing. It seems some parents think it’s great to have your child spend 3 days of the Christmas Vacation locked up in a gym. I had rather been at home playing Wii, or traveling with family. Any way, Jack’s team is a really good team, but got beat Friday night. That meant they would have to play 5 games Saturday, winning them all, 4 back to back, just to get into the championship. And yes, they did. I am very proud of them, and don’t know how they keep upright for that long. They lost in the championship, their 5th back to back game, to a very rested team. I am an assistant coach, and we were both dead when we got home. Sarah was not much better, having spent the day with fussy baby.

Why was he fussy? Well, not having any guidance on feeding, other than “BREAST IS THE BEST OR HE SHALL NOT GET INTO COLLEGEwe had no idea how much formula we should start out with. Seems 2 ounces is not enough. So Tony spent a good deal of the first few days of formula, hungry. We have read up and figured it out since then, so he is a much happier baby.

Sunday was family day. We traveled about 90 minutes away. Ate good food, Showed off the boys, got presents, and returned home. It was exhausting. We got home and wanted to just crash. Then, there was a moment in which we both got an energy boost…

Seems mister Tony likes laying on his back while you “shake his booty”. It was the first time I noticed him reacting to something outside the food and gas realm. He was cooing and almost smiling. Sarah and I were in heaven. It was so cool to see that happen….then I crashed.

So, I look forward to more booty shaking in ‘08. It made my heart smile. I think that’s one of my resolutions.

Here’s the reponse I recieved from Enfamil regarding the water situation. Thanks to everyone who responded. Looks like the pro agrees with you. (more…)

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?