HOW TO IMPROVE INFANT FORMULA
Infant Formula Fortification Protocol
Posted By Dr. Mercola |
A mother's breast milk is nature's perfect and complete foodfor 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 inbreastmilk substitutes (formula), plus all of the as-yet unidentified constituents,it should come as no great surprise that children today are suffering from a vastmyriad 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 constructedwithout any regard to the "raw materials" required. Building a properlyfunctioning brain requires the right materials, just as building a computer would.Imagine trying to build a computer from scratch, without any microchips. Or tryingto 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 aresteps that can be taken to improve somewhat upon the standard formulas that areavailable.
One of the nutritional areas that are woefully inadequate with formulas is in regardsto their fatty acid content. With all of the anti-fat propaganda going onthese days, most people don't realize the critical importance of fat, especiallywith infants. Not only is the quantity important, but the quality and breakdownof the types of fat supplied as well.
After all, the brain is 60% lipid (fat). Ofthis fat, approximately 12 % is arachidonic acid (AA) and 17% is docosahexaenoicacid ( DHA ).
Many people have heard about the benefits and importance of the omega-3 fatty acidsDHA and EPA, found primarily in fish.
The importance of DHA in the infants' diet recently prompted many countries (notincluding 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 theydesperately 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 plentyof 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 coursewe insist that mothers breastfeed if at all possible or even obtain fresh breastmilkfrom a lactating friend or relative, if they have adopted a baby, or can't breastfeedfor some reason.
For the infant to remain as healthy as possible, he must obtain a proper balanceof all the essential fats, which is difficult to impossible, especiallywhen you are changing mother nature and trying to create a formula.
However, below is a basic fat fortification protocol, which attempts to come asclose as possible to "the real thing":
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Kiddie Krill - one per day
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Organic egg yolk - 1 yolk daily added at four months of age
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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
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One teaspoon high quality coconut oil. This oil needs to be heated to 76 degrees to become a liquid.
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 availableformulas as a "base" from which to fortify the infant's diet. Althoughsome people might be tempted to create their own homemade formula, I don't recommendthis approach, as it is just too dangerous that something could be inadvertentlyleft out or added in too great a quantity. A mistake could cost an infant his life.
Nutramagen or Alimentumcan be used as a base infant formula and 'doctored up' with nutritional perks. Bothof these formulas are acceptable in regard to the 'allergic' aspect, and are theones usually used when children cannot tolerate anything. Of course, they are alsothe most expensive.
FORTIFIED COMMERCIAL FORMULA
Makes about 35 ounces
This stopgap formula can be used in emergencies, or when the ingredients for homemadeformula 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 Kiddie Krill
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly. Place6-8 ounces in a very clean glass bottle. (Store the rest in a very clean glass jarin the refrigerator for the next feedings.) Attach a clean nipple to the bottleand 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 offree amino acids, most notably taurine. This nutrient is also critical for infant development and is foundin human milk but not in cow's milk. Although many formulas add some taurine, ithas been shown that formula-fed infants have lower levels of taurine in their bloodthan 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 ACCEPTABLESUBSTITUTES FOR BREASTMILK, or even for formula.
For those mothers who are breastfeeding, it is important to realize that the essentialfatty acid content of her breast milk coincides with what she eats. Therefore, herdiet is very important for the health of her baby. One of the most important thingsthat a breastfed mother can do is to avoid foods containing trans fats, such asmargarine and anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.
While one can't guarantee that taking the steps outlined above will completely eliminateproblems such as ADD/ADHD and other behavioral problems, developmental problems,autism, visual difficulties, and others, I believe it is a strong possibility thatit could help to reduce their incidence, although it is important to always rememberthat 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 comparedto cow’s milk but leaner in casein (milk protein). Use only truly expeller-expressedoils 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 fromgoats. 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 qualitymilk, see www.realmilk.comor contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose whole milk, preferablyorganic 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 Kiddie Krill
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 ingredientsin a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle, attach nipple and set in a pan ofsimmering water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well andfeed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are usingthe 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 feedingas it lacks folic acid and is low in vitamin B12, both of which are essential tothe growth and development of the infant. Inclusion of nutritional yeast to providefolic acid is essential. To compensate for low levels of vitamin B12, add 2 teaspoonsfrozen organic raw chicken liver, finely grated to the batch of formula. Be sureto begin egg-yolk feeding at four months.