Latest review on vaccinations - NOT GOOD

Please alert your clients if they are interested: About the Author - Scientific research by Dr. Lucija Tomljenovic, PhD, who is an early career postdoctoral fellow. She was awarded a PhD in 2009 in Biochemistry, from the Comparative Genomics Centre at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. In 2010, she joined the Neural Dynamics Research Group at the University of British Columbia (Chris Shaw’s lab) and is currently researching the neurotoxic effects of aluminum vaccine adjuvants. Tomljenovic has recently become an Associate Editor of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. She values open-minded discussions on controversial topics and the pursuit of truth in research endeavors, wherever they may lead. Link to 45 page PDF of research http://www.ecomed.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/3-tomljenovic.pdf You must cut and paste this link for it work.

7 Reasons To Calm Down About Babies Crying

7 Reasons To Calm Down About Babies Crying Posted by janet on Sep 7th, 2011 There are people who don’t mind hearing babies cry. They ignore a baby in distress, won’t pick the baby up ‘so as not to spoil him’, think nothing of leaving babies crying alone for hours in a dark room. I know these people exist because I read articles about them all time. But seriously, who are they? In my 18 ½ years as a mother, 16 years as a parent educator and 2 years blogging, I’ve never encountered a parent like this. The parents and caregivers I know and have known (myself included) are of a very different ilk – 180 degrees different, in fact. We’re jolted by our baby’s slightest expression of discomfort or dismay. Our instinct is to do anything in our power to stop a baby from crying. When our baby’s cries aren’t easily abated we’re unnerved, frustrated, feel like complete failures. One sound from the baby, and the pressure we feel is enormous. Make the crying stop so I can breathe again Perhaps we shush, rock, jiggle, use electric swings, washing machines, pacifiers, drive all over the neighborhood, nurse babies for hours on end, afraid to take them off the breast even while they sleep lest they wake up and cry. Some moms might attempt to sleep all night with a baby latched on. Our own discomfort is better than bearing even a moment of our baby’s. We do our best to discern the different cries and respond appropriately, but doubts and comparisons loom… Apparently, ’tribal babies’ don’t cry, so what’s the matter with us? Later, the time comes when we have to say no to our toddlers and they object to our decision and end up crying. This also feels innately wrong. So we either find ways to distract our child or just give in and please him instead, which then causes our children to make increasingly unreasonable demands…because they desperately need our “no” and their cry. But instinct and culture tell us our children shouldn’t be crying, and it’s up to us to make them stop. Thankfully there are some intelligent, insightful, compassionate voices of reason out there. Experts like Magda Gerber, Aletha Solter, and Patty Wipfler are champions for your baby’s emotional health…and yours, too. Their books and articles help us to understand that an infant’s cries are not only okay, they serve an important purpose. When babies cry, our job is to tune in, provide help, love and support as needed, but not necessarily stop the crying. These experts agree that crying is the primary manner in which babies communicate, and we must, without question, respond to our baby’s cries. As Magda Gerber notes in Dear Parent: Caring For Infants With Respect: “Crying must be responded to. But how is a more complicated issue. To follow the advice, “do not let your baby cry,” is practically impossible. At times the harder a mother or father tries to stop the baby’s crying, the more anxious everyone becomes.” 1. When we calm ourselves, we’re able to listen and respond to the true need When we follow our impulse to quickly stop the crying, we aren’t taking the time to listen to and understand our baby’s cues and less likely to validate the baby’s communication by giving her what she really needs. “When babies and toddlers don’t feel good, they cry in order to clear the tension they feel. We try to get them “settled down” with patting, bouncing, walking, pacifiers, and sometimes, the breast. We’ve been trained to believe that a baby will do better as soon as she is able to stop expressing her upset. …However, you’ll see that when you stop a baby from expressing feelings, she doesn’t actually feel better” –Patty Wipfler, Hand In Hand Parenting “An anxious and irritated parent (crying does irritate!) will most likely do what brings the fastest relief – give the breast or bottle. The baby almost always accepts it, calms down and often falls asleep. Of course, this is the right solution if the baby is hungry. However, if the baby has other needs (for instance being tired or having pain), she will learn to expect food in response to these other needs, and grasp the breast or bottle even though she is not hungry.” – Magda Gerber, Dear Parent: Caring For Infants With Respect “Why is it so difficult to hold a crying baby and to accept the crying? Probably because few people were allowed to cry as much as needed when they were little. Your parents may have tried to stop you from crying when you were a baby. Perhaps they gave you a pacifier, or kept trying to feed you, or jiggled you every time you cried, thinking this was what you needed at the moment. Perhaps they tried to distract you with toys, music, or games, when all you needed was their undivided attention and loving arms so that you could continue with your crying.” –Aletha Solter, Aware Parenting 2. Crying is natural, healthy healing When parents first attend my RIE Parent/Infant Guidance Classes, I make a point of letting them know – crying is allowed here. I sense their relief. Gina from The Twin Coach wrote an insightful account of her visit to my class, but her observation that the babies “never once cried” was a rarity! Usually someone cries at least a little. At RIE we understand that babies cry and parents need not feel stressed or embarrassed about it. ”Fortunately, babies come equipped with a repair kit, and can overcome the effects of stress through the natural healing mechanism of crying. Research has shown that people of all ages benefit from a good cry, and tears help to restore the body’s chemical balance following stress.” -Solter “… when a baby cries about something that’s not actually threatening, or something that is an unavoidable annoyance, she’s engaged in a natural and important endeavor. She’s having some feelings, and telling you about them.” -Wipfler “All healthy babies cry. We would worry if they didn’t cry – no infant can be raised without crying. Respond to the baby, reflecting that you are there and that eventually you will understand the reasons for the crying.” -Gerber “A growing number of psychologists believe that the healing function of crying begins at birth, and that stress-release crying early in life will help prevent emotional and behavioral problems later on.” -Solter 3. Wild animals won’t eat our babies Babies could not cry in primitive societies because their survival was at stake. Nor could these children squeal with exuberance like my neighbor’s children are doing at this very moment (and I love that sound), or sing at the top of their lungs in a high-pitched voice like my son often does first thing in the morning. His joyful noise is a little unnerving before the caffeine’s done its job, but I’m grateful to have a child who wakes up exceedingly happy, feels free to express himself and lives in a society in which freedom of expression is not only allowed, but encouraged and valued. I can certainly understand relating to a particular primitive practice and choosing to adopt it. But comparing ourselves and our babies to tribal families without taking into account the context in which these ancestral behaviors “worked” makes little sense to me. The realities of our lives and the expectations we have for our children couldn’t be more different. 4. Passing down our discomfort “Our culture tends to block and suppress the healthy expression of deep emotions. Some adults remember being punished, threatened, or even abused when they cried as children. Others remember their parents using kinder methods to stop them from crying, perhaps through food or other distractions. This early repression of crying could be one factor leading to the use of chemical agents later in life to repress painful emotions.” -Solter “It’s painful to listen to a crying baby. Grown-ups tend to overreact to a child’s cry. Why? Because crying often stirs up painful memories of our own childhood, churning up issues of abandonment and fear. Perhaps as babies or young children we were not allowed to cry and were distracted or reproached when we did. Our children’s tears many trigger in us these buried memories of rage, helplessness, or terror, taking us back to those early years. Our baby’s message may then become muddled in our own issues. Try to listen to your baby to hear what she is saying.” -Gerber 5. Less abuse? If we could all be more comfortable with babies crying would parents be less likely to abuse? My guess is yes. “For instance, sometimes babies cry when we disappear into the shower, when a friendly stranger approaches, or when we put them down to crawl or walk. Many babies develop a hatred of their car seat. Some parents decide to go for days without a shower, or to carry their baby all the time, in an effort to remedy this kind of crying. Life gets harder, and parenting less enjoyable.” -Wipfler 6. Calm breeds calm There is no one more sensitive than an infant and the people he is most sensitive to are his parents. Every interaction we have is an educational experience. Babies want what all of us want when we cry — to be heard, understood, and helped if possible. Sometimes the help they need is our calm support so that they can fully express their feelings. “Do not start crazy tricks. Infants do not need them at any age, and neither do you. Do not make babies dependent on distractions that you do not want them to depend on later. …Your baby will learn to be calm from a calm parent in a calm atmosphere.” –Gerber 7. We bond through gentle, calm listening and observing, honesty and acceptance. “What can parents do? First of all, it is important to check for immediate needs and discomforts, such as hunger or coldness. But if your baby is still fussy after you have filled her basic needs, it is quite appropriate simply to hold her lovingly and allow her to continue crying.” -Solter “A crying baby responds to gentleness and calmness. Respond slowly and acknowledge that she is crying by saying, “You’re crying. What’s the matter?” Next, make sure that her basic needs are taken care of. Be sure your baby is fed and warm. Some babies are more sensitive to a wet diaper than others, so check that. If she is neither hungry nor tired and seems to have no other pressing need, observe her to discover the possible source of any other discomfort. Tell her you’re trying to understand what she wants. This is the start of lifelong, honest communication.” – Gerber “After a good cry, your baby will connect with you. And she will thrive. …You’ve listened and let her tell you, in her powerful nonverbal way, what was on her mind. There’s nothing like being heard fully to settle a child’s mind, and help her feel loved.” -Wipfler

Fortified Commercial Formula

Fortified Commercial Formula When mom is unable to breast-feed but wants to give her child the best we suggest she try this formula. This recipe makes about 35 ounces. The website follows and has a complete section for homemade formulas for parents who would like to make a complete homemade formula for the baby. http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/recipes-for-homemade-baby-formula Ingredients: 1 cup milk-based powdered formula1 29 ounces filtered water (3 5/8 cups) 1 large egg yolk from an organic egg, cooked 3 1/2 minutes (See recipe for egg yolk, below) 1/2 teaspoon unflavored high-vitamin or high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil or 1 teaspoon regular cod liver oil 1. We are sorry to report that the Mead Johnson (Enfamil) Low Iron formula we previously recommended is no longer available. In fact, all commercial formula now contains iron, by FDA decree. The best choice for commercial formula today seems to be Baby's Only Organic Dairy Formula. It contains iron but otherwise contains higher quality ingredients than any of the other commercial formulas. It is also the only brand on the market at this time without the Martek DHASCO and ARASCO additive. If you are forced to use commercial formula, make sure that baby is getting cod liver oil, either added to the formula or given with an eye dropper or syringe. As soon as possible, introduce solid foods like egg yolk, liver, meat and bone broths. 2. Use only recommended brands of cod liver oil. BEST (Available Online/Mail Order): Green Pasture Products: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (402) 858-4818, greenpasture.org Dr. Ron's Ultra-Pure: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (877) 472-8701, drrons.com Radiant Life: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, (888) 593-8333, 4radiantlife.com Natural Health Advocates: Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil, 888-257-8775, building-health.com/ See our list of local chapter leaders and members who sell fermented 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!)

History of irresponsiblity (DHA/ARA)

History of Irresponsibility The story of how this state of affairs came about reveals much on how politics and profit can undermine food safety. Here’s a time line on how the word “organic” is being undermined, creating a health threat for babies who are fed with formula. 2002: Food manufacturers begin supplementing infant formula and baby food with synthetic forms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). These polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, naturally present in breast milk, are important components of the human brain and eyes. Although the form of DHA/ARA used in infant formulas is structurally incompatible with the form found in human milk, food manufacturers market their products with the claim that their formulas will make babies more intelligent. 2006: In spite of the fact that its synthetic DHA/ARA is from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus through the use of hexane, a petroleum by-product and EPA-identified neurotoxin, Martek applies for organic status for its products. The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) tells Martek its synthetic DHA and ARA does not quality as organic. Martek attorney J. Friedman ignores the decision of NOP staff and contacts NOP director Barbara Robinson to have the decision reversed. 2009: A front page Washington Post article, “Integrity of Federal ‘Organic’ Label Questioned” uncovers the Martek story. The article quotes Martek’s lawyer saying “I called Robinson up, I wrote an e-mail. It was a simple matter.” 2002-2010: Parents and medical professionals observe reactions in babies fed with products containing Life’s DHA, the product name Martek gives its patented GMO version of naturally occurring fatty acids. The range of infant health problems includes difficulties breathing and gastrointestinal disorders. When affected babies are no longer fed the formula, the ailments disappear. Although Freedom of Information Act requests reveal hundreds of FDA adverse event reports, the FDA is slow to react. 2011: FDA announces it will investigate claims that DHA/ARA infant formulas support brain and eye development. The National Organic Program is now trying to remedy its 2006 decision by asking Martek to formally ask permission of the NOP’s National Organic Standards Board to use its DHA and AHA in organic products. In the meantime, Life’s DHA is being sold in many so-called organic brands which many consumers trust. Paying higher prices for products labeled as organic does not necessarily mean your family’s food does not include this particular Frankenfood. From Martek’s own website, here is a list of infant formulas containing their product which is both genetically modified and typically manufactured using a known toxin: Earth’s Best Organic Soy with DHA & ARA (Hain Celestial Group) Enfamil LIPIL (Mead Johnson Nutritionals) Enfamil Next Step (Mead Johnson) Isomil 2 Advance (Abbott Laboratories) Nestle Good Start Supreme with DHA & ARA (Nestle USA) Parent’s Choice Organic (Wal-Mart) Similac Advance (Abbott Nutrition) Ultra Bright Beginnings Lipids (PBM Products, LLC) There is also a long list of pre-natal supplements as well as vitamins and dietary supplements for infants, children and adults containing this product. A surprisingly wide range of foods and beverages use this GMO substance including Apple Bran Muffins sold at Starbucks; Farm Pride Omega-3 Eggs; Horizon Organic Milk; Kroger Active Lifestyle Premium Light OJ Beverage; Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry Juice; Pediasure Children’s Beverage; Pompeian Olive Extra Plus and Silk Soymilk. The list of products containing this GMO is multinational, with products in many countries across the globe. If you want to check whether a supplement, food, or beverage you use contains Life’s DHA, the full list is here:http://www.lifesdha.com/Products-Co…

Milk Sharing - Donating and receiving breastmilk

By Trevor MacDonald Three things you may not know about Milk Sharing The second annual World Milksharing Week (Sept 24-30) is approaching fast and my family has much to celebrate. Our baby boy has been fed with human donor milk for the past 17 months. I breastfeed him, but I don't make all the milk he needs, so we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors. Although milksharing is an ancient practice that probably dates back as far as humans do, many people today know little about it. I'll try to shed some light on several common misconceptions I have encountered in my own journey: Milksharing myth #1: Sharing that is initiated on Facebook through groups like Human Milk 4 Human Babies takes place between complete strangers. Facebook is indeed the first point of contact between many donors and recipients, but they often spend a lot of time getting to know each other in person. Our main donor provided milk for our son for over one year. During that time, we went to her house once a week. Our children played together, we shared meals, and she and her family attended our son's first birthday party. Sometimes milksharing reconnects old friends. My Dad, highly suspicious, once asked me about a particular donor, "Exactly how well do you know this woman?" I told him the truth, which was that I had met her more than ten years ago, when we were both in high school. We worked together for several years playing music at weddings. We eventually lost touch, but rekindled our friendship when she responded to my Facebook request for milk. We delighted in catching up on news and admiring each other's babies. Myth #2: Milksharing is inherently risky because of possible HIV transmission, while formula-feeding is risk-free. In many countries, blood tests for infectious diseases are a routine part of prenatal care, meaning that donors would normally be aware of their health status in this regard. Recipients can ask to view the results of these tests. In addition, according to the CDC, the risk of HIV transmission through breast milk is thought to be low in part because "Chemicals present in breast milk act, together with time and cold temperatures, to destroy the HIV present in expressed breast milk." Formula-feeding is not without its own risks. Several studies suggest that babies who are formula-fed may suffer from a higher incidence of a number of illnesses, including childhood leukemia, diabetes, and asthma. Formula recalls are not infrequent due to a variety of causes, such as the presence of dangerous bacteria and unintended ingredients like beetles and melamine. Our family felt that the risks of formula-feeding were more difficult to control than the risks of using donor milk. We carefully interview each of our donors and request their personal health information. Early on in our milksharing journey, we chose to home pasteurize some donated milk when we felt unsure. Myth #3: Milk is scarce and this is why milk banks can't keep up with demand. People who find donors through groups like Human Milk 4 Human Babies are taking milk away from the sick and premature babies who need it the most. In fact, many women have extra milk but are not allowed to share it with a milk bank. Women who have lived in the UK cannot give to a bank because of the possibility of mad cow disease. Others cannot donate because they do not have at least 150 ounces to give at once. A woman who regularly takes a medication is usually prohibited from donating to a bank even if her doctor has advised her that breastfeeding her own child is safe. Some women choose to donate milk via groups like HM4HB because they know that milk banks in North America pasteurize their milk (interestingly, this is not the case in Norway), thus destroying some of its beneficial components. Milksharing stories are as varied as the donors and recipients involved. People have all kinds of reasons for donating or needing milk. Many parents only require a small donation to see them through until they are able to breastfeed successfully. Others, like our family, need ongoing help. What we have in common is a dedication to human health and normal infant feeding. To read more blogs about milksharing, visit Trevor's blog, www.milkjunkies.net, the host of World Milksharing Week 2012's Blog Carnival.

Nature's One Up and Running

info@naturesone.com info@naturesone.com via bounce.secureserver.net Aug 1 to nancy Dear Nancy, Thank you for your inquiry. All Baby’s Only Organic® formulas produced since February 2012 are benefitting from our efforts to reduce environmental toxins found in organic brown rice syrup. We have successfully produced our formulas with significantly lowered arsenic levels using our new filtering process. This formula can be found both on store shelves and on our website at www.NaturesOneDirect.com. In addition, our formulas prior to February 2012 are very safe for consumption testing 60% to 73% BELOW world standards for safe arsenic levels in rice-based foods for infants. Keep in mind that all water, all foods, and all other infant formulas contain arsenic. Please rest assured that Baby’s Only Organic® formulas are great products containing the most nutritious ingredients of any formula. Our formulas don’t contain hexane processed fungus and algae oils, nor do they contain corn syrup (also called glucose syrup) or palm olein oil. Thank you again for your inquiry, Nancy and please let me know if you have any additional questions. Sincerely, Description: Nature's One - official logo (small for email) Lori Natures One Inc. www.NaturesOne.com www.NaturesOneDirect.com 8754 Cotter St. Lewis Center, OH 43035 Toll Free: 1-888-227-7122 Fax: 740-548-3879

Breastfeeding Pills’ Risky Results

by Eliza Shapiro Aug 7, 2012 4:45 AM EDT Nursing moms are taking drugs to help them produce more milk. But doctors say there’s no evidence the pills—which can pose serious health risks—actually work. Eliza Shapiro on extreme breastfeeding. New moms across the country are popping pills meant to alleviate gastrointestinal distress—not because their stomachs hurt, but because they want more breast milk. The drugs are typically prescribed by lactation consultants—specialists who help women cope with breastfeeding issues—who say the pills can increase prolactin, the hormone responsible for breast-milk production. But a growing chorus of doctors says there is little if any evidence that the drugs—one of which has not been approved by the FDA—are actually effective at boosting prolactin. More troubling, they say, the drugs can pose serious health risks to women who use them. The two most popular drugs, according to medical and lactation experts, are Reglan, which has been found in rare cases to cause an irreversible facial muscle-spasm condition, and Domperidone, which is not FDA-approved and mostly found via Canadian online pharmacies. One of Reglan’s side effects, according to the FDA, is depression—a condition some new mothers are already at risk of. While the exact number of women using the drugs is difficult to determine, the topic is hotly discussed at breastfeeding support groups like La Leche League and in online new-mother forums. On the Fertile Thoughts blog, for example, commenters have referred to Domperidone as a “wonder drug” and traded tips on where to find it. One site, BigMountainDrugs.com, was recently listing 1,000 capsules for $118, alongside advertisements for discounted Viagra. “It was better to take the drug so our kids were getting breast milk,” said Kelli Davis, a schoolteacher in Toronto. In an interview, Davis said she took Domperidone for two years after struggling to nurse her first child, and said she had no side effects. The drug is approved in Canada, but only for its gastrointestinal use. On the online mothering forum Baby Center, one new mom taking Domperidone posted that she “gained quite a bit of weight” and didn’t know if the drug “actually is doing anything,” but added, “I still take it as an insurance policy.” Another mother wrote that she’d been taking the medication for four months and didn’t notice much of a difference. The off-label usage of GI drugs is one of the more extreme measures nursing mothers are taking when they can’t or won’t use formula. Some are using breast pumps in the middle of the night to build up their supplies. Others are getting donated milk from human “milk banks” or guzzling foul-tasting fenugreek tea. It comes at a time when the pressure to breastfeed is intensifying. In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s new Latch On NYC program aims to spread the gospel of breast milk through subway advertisements showing happy moms nursing their presumably happy babies. The program also bans distributing free formula samples in maternity wards. “We don’t give free McDonald’s to our cardiac patients,” said Allison Walsh, manager of parent education and lactation services at Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan. The “breast is best” camp, including some lactation consultants and pediatricians, have applauded the move, citing research that the nutrients in breast milk help prevent infections and illnesses for infants, and can even increase IQ. But critics say campaigns like these are fueling an unintended side effect: making new mothers more stressed out than ever. The off-label usage of GI drugs is one of the more extreme measures nursing mothers are taking when they can’t or won’t use formula. “Breastfeeding has gone from being an ideal option for new mothers to a mandatory prerequisite for ‘good’ parenthood,” wrote Gayle Tzemach Lemmon in a recent article in The Atlantic about Bloomberg’s New York campaign. In reality, some women have difficulty breastfeeding, or have babies who struggle with latching on properly. Others worry they don’t have enough milk, or are told by pediatricians that their milk is too “thin.” Desperate, and feeling guilty or ashamed for using baby formula, some seek any help they can find to squeeze out a few extra drops of milk. “We have to get a reality check here,” said Jacques Moritz, medical director of Beth Israel Hospital’s gynecology department. Moritz said he gets requests “every day” for the GI drugs, but refuses to prescribe them. “You get an ‘A’ for effort for breastfeeding. This cannot be an obsession. You can’t take the risk of your life.” In 2004, the FDA issued a warning about Domperidone, advising women not to take it to increase breast milk production and alerting FDA officials to watch for attempts to import the drug through other countries. An intravenous form of the drug aggravated cardiac problems and, in a few rare cases, caused sudden death. Reglan, the commercial name for metoclopramide, is FDA-approved only for GI-related use. In 2009, the FDA issued a warning about the drug’s possible side effect, a potentially permanent movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia, which can resemble Tourette’s Syndrome or Parkinson’s disease. “If you’ve ever seen tardive dyskinesia, you’ll never use the medicine again. This is a black-box warning,” Moritz said, referring to the requirement that a special warning be included on the drug’s packaging. “It’s not like you’ll have a little headache or some stomach pains. We’re going to give that to somebody?” Not all new mothers are scrambling to get hold of the medicine. “Both drugs just seemed to be a bridge too far,” one New York mom told The Daily Beast. “I was willing to do the herbs and the brewer’s yeast and all the other things that any lactation consultant will tell you to do, but to cross the threshold into taking a non-FDA approved drug … it seemed to not be a good choice.” While there is anecdotal evidence that the drugs appear to help some women make more milk, a 2011 report released by the American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine found no conclusive evidence of “correlation between baseline prolactin levels and rates or milk synthesis or measured volumes of milk production.” The study also found that previous studies on the effectiveness of the drugs in increasing milk supply have “generally been of poor quality,” lacking randomization and having small sample sizes for testing. “The case for using pharmaceutical galactogogues [substances used to increase lactation] has grown weaker,” the report found. Grace Lau, a gynecologist at NYU-Langone Hospital, said the lack of placebo testing and randomization in studies about Reglan and Domperidone are not “adequate for me to prove that they work.” Still, lactation consultants—most of whom are not medical doctors and can only recommend getting a prescription from a doctor—say they’ve seen an uptick in the number of clients asking about Domperidone and Reglan. Freda Rosenfeld, a much sought-after lactation consultant based in Brooklyn, said that in her own experience, the two drugs “do work for most people, and helps them tremendously.” For others, formula will suffice. "I formula-fed my daughter, starting from the first hour of her life,” wrote Amy Sullivan in the New Republic, last week. “I loved it. And I would do it again. Do you hear me, Mayor Bloomberg?"

Bloomberg's Breastfeeding Program, 'Latch On NYC,' Wants Hospitals To Change Baby Formula Protocol

Starting in September, Mayor Bloomberg's push to encourage breastfeeding will incorporate a new program urging hospitals to keep baby formula under lockdown. The latest installment of the city's "Latch On NYC" initiative will require new mothers seeking baby formula in the hospital to sign the formula out like medication. The New York Post reports new mothers will not be denied formula, but if requested, they'll receive a mandated talk from staffers and nurses on why they should opt out. 27 out of the city's 40 hospitals have also agreed to forgo handing out gift bags containing products branded with formula-logos. In 2011, Rhode Island became the first state to end the widespread practice of giving away free goody bags of formula to mothers and their babies. Months later in July, Massachusetts followed suit. Earlier this year, the city's health department launched an education program sponsored by the World Health Organization and aimed at teaching new mothers the benefits of breastfeeding over baby formula. The health benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and include a significantly reduced risk of childhood obesity and a stronger immune system. Even so, many mothers believe the decision ultimately lies upon mothers and they say the mayor should butt out. Upon hearing news of the initiative, a mother told The Post, "If they put pressure on me, I would get annoyed. It’s for me to choose.” But health officials are applauding the city for its latest push. Health Commissioner Thomas Farley introduced Latch On in May and said, "Human breast milk is best for babies and mothers...With this initiative the New York City health community is joining together to support mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

MORE INFORMATION ON DHA/ARA ARSENIC IN FORMULA

By Dr. Mercola 2012 Last December, the U.S. National Organic Standards Board, an expert panel that advise the USDA Secretary on organic matters, narrowly approved Martek Biosciences Corporation's petition to allow the use of their genetically modified soil fungus and algae as nutritional supplements in organic food. The product is an omega-3/omega-6 oil (DHA/ARA) synthesized from fermented algae and soil fungus. The oil is extracted from this biomass using hexane, a neurotoxic byproduct of gasoline refinement that is specifically banned in organics. The Cornucopia Institute investigated Martek's patent and safety filings at the FDA, and discovered that the product also contains synthetic chemicals, stabilizers, carriers, and some of the ingredients are also genetically modified. (As it turns out, some of their products were developed by Monsanto before Martek bought the technical rights.) Martek's formulated oils are added to "organic" milk, infant formula, and a number of different foods. After a formal legal complaint, the USDA announced in 2010 that it had "inappropriately" allowed Martek oils to be included in organic foods. But enforcement of their removal was delayed for 18 months in an apparent effort to permit corporate lobbyists to petition for review and legal inclusion in organic food. According to the Conucopia Institute: "Although Martek told the board that they would discontinue the use of the controversial neurotoxic solvent n-hexane for DHA/ARA processing, they did not disclose what other synthetic solvents would be substituted. Federal organic standards prohibit the use of all synthetic/petrochemical solvents". How Did Unapproved Ingredients Make it into Baby Food? It is distressing to see that chemical additives have skirted USDA approval and made their way into infant formulas—some of which even bear the USDA Organic Seal! This confirms that even organic certification is NOT watertight, and you, the consumer, will need to stay on your toes. Martek's DHA and ARA products are synthetic attempts at omega-3 fats that have been in the U.S. marketplace since 2002, and in organic products since 2006. They are chemically extracted from certain types of algae and fungi that have never before been part of the human diet, and have never been approved by the USDA. Yet they have made their way into your baby's bottle. In fact, it is unlikely that the production process of these agents has been examined at all—and for good reason. The Cornucopia Institute has uncovered an entire list of questions regarding the source, processing, and other ingredients used in the manufacturing of Martek's DHA and ARA, any one of which could result in a ban from their use in certified organic products. GMOs, Lies, and Petrochemicals For starters, Martek's synthetic oils are extracted using a toxic petrochemical solvent called hexane—a process that's just about as NON-organic as you can get. Hexane extraction is widely used in the production of oils, such as fatty acids and vegetable oils, but is banned in organic produce because it's a non-organic material. So what's their loophole? Martek Biosciences was able to dodge the ban on hexane-extraction by claiming USDA does not consider omega-3 and omega-6 fats to be "agricultural ingredients." Therefore, they argue, the ban against hexane extraction does not apply. The USDA helped them out by classifying those oils as "necessary vitamins and minerals," which are exempt from the hexane ban. But hexane-extraction is just the tip of the iceberg. Other questionable manufacturing practices and misleading statements by Martek includei: Undisclosed synthetic ingredients, prohibited for use in organics (including the sugar alcohol mannitol, modified starch, glucose syrup solids, and "other" undisclosed ingredients) Microencapsulation of the powder and nanotechnology, which are prohibited under organic laws Use of volatile synthetic solvents, besides hexane (such as isopropyl alcohol) Recombinant DNA techniques and other forms of genetic modification of organisms; mutagenesis; use of GMO corn as a fermentation medium Heavily processed ingredients that are far from "natural" Your Body Knows These "Nutrients" are Fake Although DHA and ARA from real foods are indeed important nutrients, the synthetic versions are not even remotely the same. They are foreign to your body, and to your infant's body, which is why many babies are having terrible adverse reactions. Naturally derived omega-3 fats have important benefits to your baby's eyes and brain. Martek has manipulated this fact into a clever marketing ploy that convinces mothers that this artificial concoction is as good for their babies as breast milk. But there is no scientific evidence to substantiate Martek's health claims. Martek claims that their formula is "proven in independent clinical studies to enhance mental development." According to the Cornucopia Institute, this claim is based on one single study involving just 19 infants. Martek neglects to mention the numerous other clinical studies that fail to show any advantage in brain development. The Perfect Formula for Diarrhea, Vomiting and Gastrointestinal Pain The Cornucopia Institute has compiled a summaryii of hundreds of adverse reports submitted to the FDA about possible intolerance to DHA/ARA-supplemented infant formula. Of those reports, 98 are said to be "confidently linked" to intolerance to the DHA/ARA oils. Many hundreds more are highly suspect. The reported gastrointestinal symptoms include: Severe gas Diarrhea and vomiting Gastric reflux Constipation and bowel obstruction Agitation, fussiness, crying, and severe distress The adverse reaction reports filed with the FDA represent only the tip of the iceberg, as most parents are unaware that Martek's additives may be the cause of their infants' problems. Some parents and their babies have endured these symptoms for weeks or months before identifying the cause, believing it was simply colic or unexplained fussiness. A few companies have made a conscious decision to not use Martek's additives in their baby food products, in order to protect the organic integrity of their foods. Cornucopia has published a list of "USDA Organic" products containing Martek's additivesiii. Shockingly, ALL organic infant formulas with the exception of ONE (Baby's Only Organic) contain Martek's DHA! Some baby foods also contain it, so it's a good idea to get in the habit of reading ALL of your labels. Beware of Other Known Contaminants in Infant Formula Your child is perhaps never more vulnerable than in the first few months of life, when his or her fragile body is still rapidly developing. Pound for pound, infants experience greater exposure to chemicals than adults, and have immature and porous blood-brain barriers, which allow greater chemical exposures to reach their developing brains. It is best to avoid infant formulas whenever possible. Breastfeeding is best. Infant formulas have been found to be contaminated with a variety of problematic chemicals, including: Perchlorates (a component of rocket fuel) Melamine Advanced glycoprotein end products (AGEs) Please avoid feeding your baby soy based formula due to dangerously high concentrations of manganese and estrogenic compounds, among other problems. Most infant formulas also contain far too much sugar. The most recent contaminant found in infant formula (as well as food and commercial juices) is arsenic. This is particularly worrisome for babies because they are especially vulnerable to arsenic's toxic effects. Is there Arsenic in Your Baby Formula? Researchers at Dartmouth College warned that there is an "urgent need" for regulatory limits on arsenic in food products after levels in two infant formulas were found to be up to six times the U.S. federal limit for drinking water. iv There are currently NO regulations for arsenic levels in foods or juices. The arsenic in infant formulas is thought to come from the brown rice syrup used to sweeten some formulas. Rice is a plant that is very efficient at taking up arsenic from the soil, regardless of whether or not it's grown organically. You Can Avoid All of These Problems by Breastfeeding Breastfeeding offers a list of life-long health benefits for both mom and baby, making it the best food you can give to your baby by far. Many are aware that breast milk contains antibodies, or immune molecules, that are transferred to the baby, giving her immunities to illnesses that the mother is immune to. The converse is also true -- if your newborn is exposed to a germ, she will transfer it back to the mother while nursing. The mother's body will then make antibodies to that particular germ and transfer them back to the baby at the next feeding. So it's not just a matter of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats that makes breast milk far superior to formula. In fact, breast milk also contains substances that may significantly enhance your baby's gut and support the healthy development of her entire nervous system. If you are unable to breastfeed, you may want to consider the option of purchasing human breast milk, which is becoming a hot commodity online. Nursing women are now earning up to $1,200 a month from selling their extra milk to other families, many of whom are pairing up online via Craigslist and other classified sites. This trend harkens back to ancient times when wet nurses (women who breastfeed babies other than their own) were used for a variety of purposes. For more about this option and some cautions, please refer to this article on the sale of breast milk. Is the U.S. Becoming a "Dumping Ground" for Substandard Products? Food in the European Union (EU) seems to be getting saferv, while American food may be becoming more dangerous. The EU has been progressively tightening their standards, while the U.S. has been loosening theirs. Consider herbicides, for example. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the U.S. and is the primary ingredient in Monsanto's broad-spectrum herbicide Roundup, which is causing incredible damage to our environment. As a result of Monsanto's lobbying, a U.S. regulation passed in 2011 increased the tolerance for residues of the herbicide glyphosate on corn. The tolerance is even higher than the one allowed by international standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commissionvi has established a maximum residue level for glyphosate on corn at 5 parts per million, but the U.S. regulation now allows 13 parts per million.vii The EU herbicide/pesticide legislation is probably the strictest in the world, a testament to their commitment to consumer protection. Besides limiting these chemicals, they ban genetically engineered foods and the hormone rBGH, whereas the U.S. continues to allow them. Many more such examples can be found. As the European Union and other nations have begun to tighten their environmental standards, manufacturers have begun to use America as a dumping ground for consumer goods that fail to meet other nations' standards for toxic chemical content. Manufacturers ship wood, toys, electronics, pesticides and cosmetics to the U.S. containing substances that are banned or restricted elsewhere, because they raise the risk of cancer or cause reproductive or neurological damage. Think about all of the dangerous and poor quality products we're importing from China that make the news now on a regular basis. Unlike the European Union, which uses a "precautionary principle" that prescribes protective steps whenever there is scientific evidence of risks to public health or the environment, the U.S. EPA relies on voluntary steps from the industries themselves. This model of consumer protection has unfortunately been swallowed up by corporate corruption. If the government is unable to provide the oversight needed to ensure public safety, then it's up to YOU, the consumer, to protect yourself. What You Can Do The Cornucopia Institute has posted an Action Alert in the form of a proxy letter you can sign and mail off today. They will hand-carry your letters to the USDA spring meeting to protect organic products from synthetic additives. You can print out this proxy letter here. Signed proxy letters should be mailed to: The Cornucopia Institute PO Box 126 Cornucopia, Wisconsin 54827 Also consider including a donation check with your letter, to support the invaluable work the Cornucopia Institute performs to protect your and your family's right to clean, wholesome, truly organic food. As of right now, there does not appear to be any additional benefit to contacting your congressman, but if the need arises, Cornucopia will notify all their members and subscribers with the information. I can't encourage you enough to participate in this process. It's important to recognize that you CAN make a difference! Always remember that collectively, we have the most effective power in the marketplace that can exceed the power of these multibillion dollar, multinational corporations. We can vote with our pocket books. But we also need to make our voices heard; we have to let these agencies know that we are watching, we're paying attention, and we're not going to allow this immoral, if not downright illegal, industrial favoritism to continue. Until American consumers are willing to vote LOUDLY and CLEARLY with their checkbooks by refusing to purchase cheap products created under poor standards of safety, we will continue to be suckers for substandard and even dangerous products that can compromise our health, along with the health of future generations. So think carefully before you purchase your products! The real cost of "cheap products" comes in the price you pay for your long-term health.