Organic Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

Bottle-Feeding a Newborn Baby

July 5th, 2010

If you decide to bottle-feed you should be content with your decision. Do not feel guilty, or think that you are giving your baby second best. Such feelings will only take away the pleasure you should get from feeding your baby. Make the most of each feed by settling comfortably and giving your baby all your attention.

How to Bottle-feed

Store the bottles in the refrigerator until needed and make sure that any unused milk is thrown away after this time. Never reuse leftover milk because it is a potential breeding ground for bacteria. Some babies are quite happy to take their bottles at room temperature but it yours prefers warm milk, heat the bottle either in a normal bottle warmer, or by standing it in a jug of hot water. Always test the temperature on the inside of your wrist to make sure that it isn’t too hot before giving the bottle to your baby to drink.

Check that the milk is coming through the teat at the right speed. If your baby is having to work hard to get the milk, the flow is too slow and you need a teat with a bigger hole. It, on the other hand, your baby seems to be gulping a lot and the milk is leaking out of the corner of his mouth, the flow is too fast and the teat should have a smaller hole. If the teat flattens while you are feeding, pull it gently out of the baby’s mouth to release the vacuum, then insert it again.

You may want to encourage feeding by stroking the teat across your baby’s mouth. Once his mouth has opened, place the teat between his lips and your baby should start sucking. Keep the bottle tilted so that milk fills the teat completely and your baby doesn’t suck in air, which can cause wind. Never leave your baby to feed from a bottle on his own because he could vomit and choke. Don’t add solids such as rusk, cereal, or baby rice to bottle feeds — this could cause choking.

The amount of milk your baby needs at feeds will change as he gains weight. At first he may take only a couple of ounces but this will increase. Your health visitor will give you a growth chart to check on progress.

Wind can sometimes be a problem, so try stopping halfway through a feed and wind your baby by holding him against your shoulder, or propping him up on your lap while you rub his back. You may want to do this after the feed has finished as well. The baby may bring back a small amount of milk during or after a feed; this is called possetting and is quite normal. It the vomiting becomes frequent or violent, you need to consult your doctor.

Tags: baby, bottles, feeding, food
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“Organic” Is More Than Just Edibles

March 24th, 2009

When we tell people about Organic Baby Wearhouse, all too often the response is “How are clothes even organic” or “How is organic any better than regular baby clothing”. More and more people are beginning to accept and embrace organic foods, but when it comes to clothing there is often a disconnect. Many just don’t understand the problems with traditionally produced clothing and the benefits (health and environmental) of organic baby clothing.

Whole Foods Market has put together a great video of an interview with Lynda Fassa, founder of Green Babies. Lynda points out a number of facts about organic cotton and clothing that should be considered when shopping for your baby.

• Conventional cotton farming uses pesticides that may be harmful to your baby and the environment.
• Cottonseed oil and cotton hulls from conventional cotton (pesticides and all) is included in many snack foods.
• Pesticides from conventional farming find their way into the surrounding streams and rivers.
• The cost of organic clothing is falling and becoming more competitive with traditionally produced clothes.

Tags: baby, clothing, Cotton, food, organic
Posted in Cotton, General, Organic Baby Clothes, Organic Baby Food | 2 Comments »

Baby Formula, Why Take Chances

September 19th, 2008

The recent recall on baby formula distributed through out several provinces in China through the Sanlu Group, one of the larger producers of baby formula, has re-introduced the questions on the standards set by the Chinese government on product safety.

Three babies have passed due to the chemical melamine addition to the formula. The chemical is added to create a higher protein levels in milk that does not meet the standards for protein consistency. Melamine, which is found in plastics and fertilizers, has created over 1000 cases of severe kidney stones in infants.

The Sanlu Group partners with a New Zealand company, Fonterra, alerted New Zealand government officials early last week of the repetitive complaints and findings of the chemical addition. The New Zealand contacted the Chinese officials who then called for a full recall. This includes over 10,000 tons of formula, as well as a question of what other dairy products could be tainted with the chemical, Fonterra is currently testing all items with Chinese ingredients.

There have been six arrests made and twenty-two people are currently being questioned. The perpetrators include the chairwoman/General manager of the Sanlu Group and officials connected to the Hebei province where the company is based.

The first reports of problems were filed as early as March, but in early August several infants were admitted with the problem. Unfortunately there was not a public statement and recall until the second week of September. This leads people to wonder when the Chinese government was going to make this public, if it was not prompted by the New Zealand Government.

The general public is disgusted by the consequences and actions of these companies it also resurrects the argument that breast milk is the wisest solution for infant feeding. The female body produces a high protein, rich in antibody food for infants and there are not worries about strange chemical additions to increase the vitality of the milk.

Tags: baby, formula
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Toxic Melamine in Chinese Baby Milk Formula

September 12th, 2008

China currently is recalling a baby formula milk substitute due to the toxin melamine positively testing in the powder. As early as March cases of kidney stones in infants were reported. When more than a dozen cases were reported recently action had to be taken by the government. The Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group who is the manufacturing company of this product has issued 8,000 tons of powder be recalled. Last year, this brand was the 7th top selling formula by revenue for China. It is currently illegal to sell in the United States, although there is concern by US officials that ethnic grocery stores in larger cities with Chinese populations carrying it with out governmental approval. The toxin is commonly used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a durable plastic. Melamine is used in the make up of fertilizers and cleaning products. Between the late 1950s and mid-70s there was testing done on the affects of ingesting the chemical and the results were it caused reproductive changes, bladder and kidney stones. Again, this was the primary symptom that alerted health officials of the common problem with the infants, kidney stones. In recent years, the use of melamine has been connected to artificially increasing protein levels in pet foods, but after several reports of animal fatality all pet food with the chemical was recalled. This is not the first, just the most recent, example of the standards set by the Chinese government on product requirements and testing procedures prior to release for commercial use. This also serves as a reminder why the healthiest solution for baby’s nutrition is good, ole fashion mothers’ milk. Breast milk is the ideal source for baby’s, it contains the vitamins, anti-bodies and nutrients to nurture and foster healthy growth.

Tags: china, food, formula, melamine
Posted in General, Organic Baby Food | No Comments »