 Renante Taris breastfeeds her son, Erikson are at a hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As nature intended. UNICEF, WHO and WFP call for support for appropriate infant and young child feeding in the current emergency, and caution about unnecessary and potentially harmful donations and use of breast-milk substitutes. UNICEF, WHO and WFP call for support for appropriate infant and young child feeding in the current emergency, and caution about unnecessary and potentially harmful donations and use of breast-milk substitutesDuring emergency situations, disease and death rates among under-five children are higher than for any other age group; the younger the infant the higher the risk. Mortality risk is particularly high because of the combined impact of a greatly increased prevalence of communicable diseases and diarrhoea and soaring rates of under-nutrition. Appropriate feeding and care of infants and young children is essential to preventing malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. Major health problems among Haitian children, which have been exacerbated by this crisis, are acute and chronic malnutrition and communicable diseases. Given the structural damage caused by the earthquake to water supply systems, there is an additional risk of water borne diseases affecting large numbers of the urban, rural and displaced populations. Many infants and young children have been orphaned or separated from their mothers. Risks to children in Haiti are exacerbated by pre-earthquake poor infant and young child feeding practices and malnutrition. In this emergency situation, the lifeline offered by exclusive breastfeeding to children for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding with complementary feeding for two years or more is of utmost importance and must be protected, promoted and supported as much as possible. Most mothers initiate breastfeeding in Haiti, and the majority of infants less than six months of age were at least partially breastfed prior to the earthquake. At this stage it is critical to encourage and support mothers to initiate breastfeeding immediately after the delivery, exclusively breastfeed up to six months and for those with infants below six months who ‘mix feed’ to revert to exclusive breastfeeding. Nonbreastfed infants are at especially high risk and need early identification and targeted skilled support, including re-establishing breastfeeding (relactation). Protection and support for breastfeeding women No food or liquid other than breast milk, not even water, is needed to meet an infant’s nutritional and fluid requirements during the first six months of life. The valuable protection from infection that breastfeeding confers is all the more important in environments without safe water supply and sanitation. Therefore, creation of a protective environment and provision of skilled support to breastfeeding women are essential interventions. There is a common misconception that in emergencies, many mothers can no longer breastfeed adequately because of stress or inadequate nutrition. Concern for these mothers and their infants can fuel donations of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) such as infant formula. Although stress can temporarily interfere with the flow of breastmilk, it is not likely to inhibit breastmilk production, provided mothers and infants remain together and are supported to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Mothers who lack food or who are malnourished can still breastfeed. Provision of adequate fluids and food for mothers must be a priority as it will help to protect their health and well-being as well as that of their young children. Basic interventions to facilitate breastfeeding include prioritising mothers with young children for shelter, food, security, and water and sanitation, enabling mother-to-mother support, providing specific space for skilled breastfeeding counselling and support to maintain or re-establish lactation. Traumatised and depressed mothers may have difficulty responding to their infants and require particular mental and emotional support. UNICEF, WHO and other organizations involved in infant feeding in emergencies will support training of staff on individual assessment of the best options for feeding infants, as well as education and support of caregivers on optimal infant feeding in these emergency circumstances. Formula for Disaster Documentary 12/12/2009
 This eye-opening documentary reveals how the marketing of powdered milk has caused fewer mothers to breastfeed in the Philippines - including those who can ill afford artificial milk and suffer its harmful consequences. The milk companies' formula for profits is a formula for disaster. (set of 5 clips)  Our children are constantly growing, they need a balanced diet for their brains and bones from the start, for healthy growth and mind. Some of us assume that because these foods are sold in our supermarkets, they are safe for our family. When I started reading labels I noticed that most of our (processed) foods are full of dangerous additives and preservatives that are essential for cheap production and preserve shelf life. If we take each of these ingredients individually, I bet you would hesitate to eat them because these are NOT food. Most of these ingredients are linked with many known diseases like Diabetes, behavioral problems (ie. ADD or ADHD), Cancer, Heart Disease, Digestive problems, Allergies, the list goes on... Lunchables pre-packaged meals are unhealthy for both children and adults. These include sodium nitrite, artificial flavor, refined flour, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil (trans fat) and high fructose corn syrup.  by www.SixWise.com In the United States, more than 3,000 substances can be added to foods for the purpose of preservation, coloring, texture, increasing flavor and more. While each of these substances is legal to use (at least here in the States), whether or not they are all something you want to be consuming is another story all together.
With any processed food you run the risk of coming across additives, and reading through ingredient labels can be like trying to decode a puzzle. Of course, eating largely fresh, whole foods is the best way to stay away from unsavory additives, but, assuming you do include some processed foods in your diet, the following additives are ones you surely want to stay away from. Look for them on ingredient labels and if one turns up, take a pass. Propyl Gallate This preservative, used to prevent fats and oils from spoiling, might cause cancer. It's used in vegetable oil, meat products, potato sticks, chicken soup base and chewing gum, and is often used with BHA and BHT (see below). BHA and BHT Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are used similarly to propyl gallate -- to keep fats and oils from going rancid. Used commonly in cereals, chewing gum, vegetable oil and potato chips (and also in some food packaging to preserve freshness), these additives have been found by some studies to cause cancer in rats. If a brand you commonly buy uses these additives, look for a different variety, as not all manufacturers use these preservatives.
Potassium Bromate This additive is used in breads and rolls to increase the volume and produce a fine crumb structure. Although most bromate breaks down into bromide, which is harmless, the bromate that does remain causes cancer in animals. Bromate has been banned throughout the world, except for in the United States and Japan. In California, a cancer warning would likely be required if it were used, which is why it is rarely used in that state. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in many packaged foods, including soups, salad dressings, sausages, hot dogs, canned tuna, potato chips and many more. According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, an author and neurosurgeon, there is a link between sudden cardiac death, particularly in athletes, and excitotoxic damage caused by food additives like MSG and artificial sweeteners. Excitotoxins are, according to Dr. Blaylock, "A group of excitatory amino acids that can cause sensitive neurons to die." Many consumers have also personally experienced the ill effects of MSG, which leave them with a headache, nausea or vomiting after eating MSG-containing foods. To find out more about the side effects associated with MSG, as well as a complete list of which foods contain it, see our past article MSG: If it's Safe: Why do They Disguise it on the Labels? Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) This artificial sweetener is found in Equal and NutraSweet, along with products that contain them (diet sodas and other low-cal and diet foods). This sweetener has been found to cause brain tumors in rats as far back as the 1970s, however a more recent study in 2005 found that even small doses increase the incidence of lymphomas and leukemia in rats, along with brain tumors. People who are sensitive to aspartame may also suffer from headaches, dizziness and hallucinations after consuming it. Acesulfame-K Acesulfame-K is an artificial sweetener that's about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It's used in baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts and soft drinks. Two rat studies have found that this substance may cause cancer, and other studies to reliably prove this additive's safety have not been conducted. Acesulfame-K also breaks down into acetoacetamide, which has been found to affect the thyroid in rats, rabbits and dogs. Olestra Olestra is a fat substitute used in crackers and potato chips, marketed under the brand name Olean. This synthetic fat is not absorbed by the body (instead it goes right through it), so it can cause diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal cramps and flatulence, along with other effects. Further, olestra reduces the body's ability to absorb beneficial fat-soluble nutrients, including lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene. Sodium Nitrite (Sodium Nitrate)
Sodium nitrite (or sodium nitrate) is used as a preservative, coloring and flavoring in bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, corned beef, smoked fish and other processed meats. These additives can lead to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines. Some studies have found a link between consuming cured meats and nitrite and cancer in humans. The process used to make hydrogenated vegetable oil (or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil) creates trans fats, which promote heart disease and diabetes. The Institute of Medicine has advised that consumers should eat as little trans fat as possible. You should avoid anything with these ingredients on the label, which includes some margarine, vegetable shortening, crackers, cookies, baked goods, salad dressings, bread and more. It's used because it reduces cost and increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods. Blue 1 and Blue 2 Blue 1, used to color candy, beverages and baked goods, may cause cancer. Blue 2, found in pet food, candy and beverages, has caused brain tumors in mice. Red 3 This food coloring is used in cherries (in fruit cocktails), baked goods and candy. It causes thyroid tumors in rats, and may cause them in humans as well. Yellow 6 As the third most often used food coloring, yellow 6 is found in many products, including baked goods, candy, gelatin and sausages. It has been found to cause adrenal gland and kidney tumors, and contains small amounts of many carcinogens. Here is a list of a few products that may contain one to five or more of these ingredients above:
 But what should we do? Should we just stop eating? How about making a change? It's our responsibility to raise a healthy family by eating as organic and/or whole as possible. Read, Read, Read Labels First, you need to become familiar with the unwanted additives or preservatives and start reading labels. Food manufacturers are known to use "clean labels," in which they hide ingredients they know consumers would rather not have in their foods under names they won't recognize.For instance, if you're trying to avoid MSG, you need to look for all of the following terms, as they all contain MSG:
It's funny because I've heard many moms telling me they have no time to cook a homemade meal, they work or they go to school, or they just don't know how to cook. Well, let me tell you that I didn't know how to cook until I started cooking. If you know how to follow instructions you can easily find free healthy recipes throughout the internet, some websites even have ratings in it just to give you an idea how good the dish was. Keep it simple. Whole Foods came out with a great iPhone app for healthy recipes, it's one of my favorite apps so far, get it! Leftovers are GREAT! Get a Crock Pot Before I got pregnant with my boy, I worked. I worked hard and my two girls always took their own lunchboxes with homemade meals everyday to school. It is so easy to make extra batches to pack these for their lunchboxes, VERY EASY. Another great idea is to utilize a Crock Pot. You can leave your Crock Pot on before leaving to work in the mornings, so you can have a nice hot homemade meal when you get back for dinner time. I will have to admit, there is only one day of the week that I let my kids eat from the school menu which is Pizza day. The rest of the week, they have a nice variety of meals in their lunchboxes, like cold sandwiches, cold or warm pasta lunches, boiled eggs, cheese sticks, organic yogurts, whole wheat bread, raw veggies like baby carrots or grape tomatoes, a fruit (everyday they get a piece of fruit of any kind, whatever we have available) with every meal, most of the meals are left overs from the night before and we only do Spring water. Juices are very rare in our household, they only add sugar to their diets which leads to hyperactivity and lack of attention in class. Don't pack too much food If you are packing healthy foods and snacks, your children won't need to be fed so much since they are getting enough nutrients from those food you are giving them. The less food you pack the more chances their lunchbox will come back empty. You can also apply this at home. We eat to live not live to eat. Set an example YOU need to make a change in your diet as well, the more likely your kids will want to do the same. It works for us, and they always want to make us proud by eating the same things we eat. Eat salads for dinner, they are very cheap and easy to make. Learn how to make your own dressings, and one of my favorite dressings is a homemade vinaigrette I make every night we have leafy salads: Thin sliced sweet onions (half onion) Lemon juice (one lemon) 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 sea salt 1 oz cold pressed olive oil 1 oz white distilled vinegar (optional) Mix all in a crystal bowl and let it sit until dinner is served. You can also squirt some Bragg for added flavor, the kids LOVE this stuff! We use it on everything: Potatoes, rice, soups, beans, pasta, salads, anything you can imagine! Go organic! (when possible) When I mean to go organic, doesn't mean that you are going to buy every single bottled/canned item labeled organic. The idea is to buy (probably join an organic co-op) organic produce and make everything from scratch! Learn how to make your own tomato sauce, dressings with herbs, buy dry beans instead of canned, make your own soups from scratch with simple water and fresh produce. The ideas are endless! If you skip the junk isle, including all the processed stuff, you can save a ton of money this way. Find coupons online for your dairy items, shop at your Farmers Market instead and bring with you the top 15 non-organic foods to eat and avoid list! This way, you won't feel the need to buy everything organic and save money. Eat less When we eat organic (or from scratch), we tend to eat less everyday. This is because our bodies are receiving the nutrients the body needs for survival. Remember, quality is better than quantity. Recent studies indicate cutting your diet by 30 percent of what you're supposed to eat can extend your life, but you need to make sure that what you are eating is high in quality. Don't stop at Breastfeeding It seems that a lot of people know how beneficial Breastfeeding is for our children and mothers, but if we don't practice healthy habits in general; these benefits will be thrown out the window. Why are we taking any chances? In the old days, both parents worked hard to support their families, they were still able to make homecooking for the whole family each day when convenience-foods was pretty much non-existent! We take the time to find the best car seats for our children to protect them from car accidents, or child-proofing our homes or making sure they don't get sunburned by applying sun block right before a nice day at the beach yet we forget about the food that it is feeding our family, going inside our bodies and it is making us sick or providing little to non nutrition to our bodies. Great resources: Great Advice on how to read Ingredients Labels <--click to watch video Eating Well for Optimum Health - DVD (You can watch online through Netflix) Watch Clip King Corn - DVD (You can watch online through Netflix) Watch Trailer Super Size Me - DVD (You can watch online through Netflix) Watch Trailer Food, Inc. - DVD (coming soon to stores) Watch Trailer Human milk is the perfect food for our human babies, learn a few of the many reasons why:  Stem Cells found in Breastmilk By Catherine Madden - ScienceNetwork WA The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Read More... Breastmilk component kills cancer cells http://www.infactcanada.ca/milkkillscancer.htm A few years ago immunology student, Anders Hakansson1, of Lund University, Sweden, was experimenting by mixing human milk, cancer cells and bacteria. To his surprise the cancer cells were "acting up". Their volume was decreasing and their nuclei shrinking. Hakansson's supervisor, Catharina Svanborg, quickly recognized that the cancer cells were committing suicide. The phenomenon of apoptosis, whereby the body rids itself of old and unnecessary cells was well known, however for this to occur with cancer cells was unknown as their usual pattern is to reproduce in an uncontrolled fashion. Something in the breastmilk caused the cancer cells to self-destruct. Svanborg and her team had already done extensive investigation in the ability of breastmilk to protect the gut lining from invasive bacteria such as pneumococcus that causes the increased rates of upper respiratory tract infections and otitis media in children not breastfed. And so they began to track down the cancer-killing component in breastmilk. Then in 1995 they reported2 that the protein alpha-lactalbumin, or alpha-lac for short, was capable of targeting not only cancer cells but also other immature and rapidly growing cells, leaving stable, mature cells for growth and development. Alpha-lac's amazing capabilities may explain in part why formula fed infants suffer from increased rates of infectious diseases as well as childhood cancers. References: 1. Discover Magazine, June 30, 1999 2. Hakahsson, A. et al. Apoptosis induced by a human milk protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 92:8064-8068, 1995 Breastmilk prevents childhood diabetes http://www.drmirkin.com/diabetes/D216.htm At the scientific session of the American Diabetic Association meeting in San Diego, Finnish researchers presented evidence that juvenile diabetes may be caused by genetically susceptible children taking cow's milk in the first 6 months of life. When a germ gets into your bloodstream, your immune system makes proteins called antibodies that attach to and kill that germ. Unfortunately, your immune system makes antibodies against almost all proteins that get into your bloodstream. Adults are protected from making antibodies against proteins in food because they have intact intestines that do not allow whole proteins to pass into their blood streams, but in the first few months of life, infants have holes in their intestines that allow proteins to pass into their bloodstream. The Finnish researchers showed that cow's milk contains cow insulin that is similar, but not exactly the same as, human insulin. So when cow's milk is taken by infants in the first three months of life, the cow insulin can pass into their blood streams and those genetically susceptible to diabetes develop antibodies that attach to and kill the beta cells of the pancreas that make insulin, causing permanent loss of insulin and diabetes. Other studies show that almost all mothers in Puerto Rico feed cow's milk to their infants. In Cuba, almost all mothers feed from their breasts. Type I diabetes is ten times more common in Puerto Rico than in Cuba. On the basis of this and much other research, those of you who have a family history of diabetes should try to feed your infant from your breast. *Among infants with family history of juvenile diabetes, those on cow's milk have a much higher incidence of diabetes than those on breast milk. *Among animals bred to develop diabetes, infant animals given cow's milk have a much higher incidence of diabetes. *Human babies with antibodies against cow's insulin have a much higher incidence of diabetes.(this study) *In Puerto Rico, almost all babies get cow's milk. In Cuba, almost all babies are breast fed. Puerto Rican babies are more than 10 times more likely to suffer juvenile diabetes. 1)Burke JP et al. Rapid rise in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes from 1987 to 1996. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1999(July 12);159:1450-1456. 2)Vaarala, M Knip, J Paronen, AM Hamalainen, P Muona, M Vaatainen, J Ilonen, O Simell, HK Akerblom. Cow's milk formula feeding induces primary immunization to insulin in infants at genetic risk for type 1 diabetes. Diabetes, 1999, Vol 48, Iss 7, pp 1389-13947884. 3)LC Harrison, MC Honeyman. Cow's milk and type 1 diabetes - The real debate is about mucosal immune function.Diabetes, 1999, Vol 48, Iss 8, pp 1501-1507. Some of the molecules and cells in human milk actively help infants stave off infection By Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC Doctors have long known that infants who are breast-fed contract fewer infections than do those who are given formula. Until fairly recently, most physicians presumed that breast-fed children fared better simply because milk supplied directly from the breast is free of bacteria. Formula, which must often be mixed with water and placed in bottles, can become contaminated easily. Yet even infants who receive sterilized formula suffer from more meningitis and infection of the gut, ear, respiratory tract and urinary tract than do breast-fed youngsters. Read More...  We are receiving more and more reports from mothers of a decrease in milk production associated with the Mirena IUD. Today I received two such reports. Given the constant chronological relationship between the placement of the IUD and the mother’s decrease in milk production (1 to 2 weeks), it is quite possible that the decrease in milk production is a result of the IUD. Of course, it is also likely that not all women will have a significant decrease; nobody contacts me when they don’t have a decreased production. But it is also likely that only a tiny percentage of women who do have a decrease actually contact me. I think we need to be prudent and warn women about this possible side effect of the Mirena. All hormonal contraceptive methods should be avoided by breastfeeding mothers if possible. Please forward to all your contacts. Jack Newman, MD http://www.drjacknewman.com/ Relactation 09/09/2009
 Relactation is rebuilding a birth mother's milk supply after it has been reduced or dried up. In one survey of 366 women who relactated, most reported not being as concerned with the amount of milk they produced as they were with having the opportunity to nurture their baby through breastfeeding. Although some mothers made the decision to relactate based on their baby's intolerance of formula, most did so because of the effect breastfeeding would have on their relationship with their baby. In hindsight, 75 percent of the women surveyed felt relactation had been a positive experience and the amount of milk they produced had been unrelated to their feelings of success. In this survey, more than half the mothers established a full milk supply within a month. It took another 25 percent of the mothers to fully relactate. The remaining mothers both breastfed and bottle fed until the baby was weaned. Mothers who attempted relactation within two months of childbirth reported greater milk production than those who attempted it later on. Many women have found the length of time it takes to relactate fully (completely meeting the baby's needs) is about equal to how long it has been since breastfeeding was discontinued. Several weeks is a realistic expectation for most mothers. When used in combination with frequent nursing and/or milk expression, certain medications have been found to increase mother's milk supply. One of the most commonly used is metoclopramide (Reglan), which when given at 10 mg doses three times per day for seven to fourteen days has been found to increase milk production an average of 110 percent in mothers with one month old babies. When the metoclopramide is discontinued, milk supply may drop, but not usually to the level it was before treatment. Some babies switch to the breast easily; others need lots of encouragement. In the aforementioned survey, 39 percent of the women queried reported that their baby nursed well on the first attempt, 32 percent said their babies were ambivalent about breastfeeding, and 28 percent refused the breast. But within a week, 54 percent of the babies had taken the breast well, and by ten days the number rose to 74 percent. Although babies younger than three months and those who had previously breastfed tended to be more willing, the most crucial factors were time, patience and persistence. In another report six children between twelve and forty-eight months who had been weaned for up to six months stimulated their mothers to at least partially relactate through sucking alone. A nursing supplementer can help avoid nipple confusion and stimlate the mother's milk supply at the same time. If a mother's milk supply is very low, the nursing supplementer will offer a baby instant reward at the breast. In order to avoid the baby becoming overly dependent upon the supplementer, suggest the mother try using the supplementer on one breast only and after the baby's initial hunger has been satisfied switiching to the breast without the supplementer. -La Leche League International, excerpted from "The Breastfeeding Answer Book," 1997. Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 8, Feb. 19, 1999) To subscribe to the E-News write: enews@midwiferytoday.com For all other matters contact Midwifery Today: PO Box 2672-940, Eugene OR 97402 541-344-7438, midwifery@aol.com, Midwifery Today  Press Release. In Emergencies, Breastfeeding Is A Lifeline. Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, illness, and death in these situations. Whatever the emergency – from earthquake to conflict, from floods to the flu pandemic – the story is the same: breastfeeding is a lifeline and a shield that protects infants in emergencies. From 1-7 August 2009, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), and breastfeedingadvocates in more than 150 countries worldwide will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) for the 18 th year. This year, WABA teams up with the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) and the International Baby Food Action Network-Geneva Infant Feeding Association (IBFAN-GIFA) who represent an international collaboration of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (IFE Core Group) concerned with protection and support of safe and appropriate infant and young child feeding in emergencies. Together we call for the active protection and support of breastfeeding during emergencies and the prevention and refusal of donations of breastmilk substitutes 1 , bottles and teats that, too often, do more harm than good. When an emergency strikes, simple measures can make all the difference in the world. Emergency preparedness is the key to quick appropriate actions. Mothers need to be secure and have priority access to food for the family, water, shelter and safe places to breastfeed. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommendations - early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond - are even more critical in emergencies. Breastfeeding is the one safe and secure source of food and fluid for infants - instantly available, providing active protection against illness and keeping an infant warm and close to his/her mother. It also reduces the risk of post-partum haemorrhage in the mother, the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. In the challenging and risky environment of an emergency, how infants are fed is key to their survival. Protecting breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding from inappropriate marketing influences is an essential component of emergency interventions. Violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA Resolutions are frequent 2 . International guidance 3 developed by the IFE Group clearly states that donations of breastmilk substitutes, bottles and teats should not be sought nor accepted in emergencies. Everyone can play a positive and important role in emergency preparedness and response. Find out what you can do by consulting the WBW 2009 ACTION FOLDER produced by WABA and the IFE Core Group that includes an extensive Guide for Action. Available online at the WABA website and in print in 4 languages from WABA. ‘Breastfeeding is a vital emergency response. When a disaster strikes, everyone should be ready!’ 1 Breastmilk substitutes include infant formula, other milks, infant foods, juices, teas 2 As documented in IBFAN-ICDC Focus May 2009 publication on ‘The Code and Infant feeding in emergencies’ 3 Operational Guidance of Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies, version 2.1, February 2007. ww.ennonline.net        Breastfeeding software for your handheld? 07/10/2009
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has developed Breastfeeding Management, a reference for supporting breastfeeding mothers, for a number of mobile platforms. It’s great for on-the-go management of common breastfeeding issues.  | ArchivesFebruary 2010 CategoriesAll ActivismInternational Breastfeeding SymbolResources for encouraging the Natural Family Living Community into Action! more...
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