infant formula supplementation
A few posts ago we were discussing how to make a better baby formula for
children suffering from eczema and psoriasis. Here is some advice from Dr
Mercolas website. Someday I hope there is a nutritious, certified organic baby
formula made with real nutrients from FOOD. Until then, try this. Hope this
helps!
Carisa
Infant Formula Fortification Protocol
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
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 is 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 that 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.
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.
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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