Kasara D’Elene – MS, LMHCA.
The public is becoming more aware that the “food” we are being sold at the typical grocery store is not as nutritious as it could be and because of this many people are choosing to make healthier choices for themselves and their families by switching to healthier food forms such as organic, homemade, raw foods, and grass-fed meats. One area that people sometimes overlook is what we feed our babies. Many people agree that breast milk is best, but what if you are unable to breast feed, or have adopted a baby.
What IS Best for YOUR Baby?
So, you may ask, what is wrong with baby formula? Many people don’t realize that breast milk, in addition to have essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, medium chain fatty acids, and enzymes, is also alkaline. This is a good thing because our lives are very stressful which is the highest acid producer in our bodies and unfortunately most food sold to us is also acidic, which makes our bodies acidic and acid bodies create environments that are beneficial to harmful organisms and create dis-ease in the body.
Unfortunately, the majority of baby formulas fall into this category as well. They contain dairy, sugar/corn syrup, artificial ingredients, and genetically modified soybeans are added via DHA. DHA is an essential fatty acid that is good for feeding our brains and nervous systems. However with much mixed research on soy products in general, (fermented soy being a preferred option), this may be not helping as much as would be hoped. There are several recent studies that show that breastfeeding is known to be associated with healthier weight gain – setting up healthier eating patterns for children as they grow – it is then inferred that infant formula increases the production of fat cells, fueling weight gain throughout childhood.
Other Options:
There are women who sell breast milk, but this can be expensive, inconvenient and something you might be uncomfortable with.
Another option is to give your baby goats milk. Some people choose raw goats milk (it is sold in several states by local farms and some health food stores), or powered goats milk. Many regular grocery stores also sell pasteurized goats milk. Goat milk is a good choice as it is alkaline like breast milk, is much easier to digest and assimilate into the blood stream. Goat milk fat globules are one fifth the size of cow milk globules, making it much easier to digest. Goat milk digests in 20 minutes, whereas cow milk takes from two to three hours to digest.
Goat Milk?
Goat milk is also high in natural sodium (which is helpful to sensitive stomachs) and fluorine which helps to build healthy teeth. Three fifths of the world today lives on goat milk. Goat milk is also high in potassium and calcium. Dr. William Lee Secor M.D. of Kerrville Texas, (a recipient of the Hare Gold Medal in Therapeutics) stated “I am a surgeon, but since discovering the value of goat milk in the treatment of stomach and intestinal ulcers, I have not operated on a single ulcer case in over 12 years.”
In addition the Journal of American Medical Association lists under the heading Dietetics and Hygiene, “The goat is the healthiest domestic animal known. Goat milk is superior in every way to cow’s milk. Goat is the ideal food for babies, convalescents and invalids, especially those with weakened digestive powers. Goat milk is the purest, most healthful and most complete food known.”
Once I stopped breast feeding I gave goat milk to my son and I have recommended goat milk for my customers for many years for their babies, animals, and people who are trying to recover from illness. My customers have seen amazing results from using goat milk. Goat milk works wonders through its cleansing and rebuilding abilities. It has similarity to breast milk that is unmatched in cow’s milk, which may be at the root of goat milk’s healing properties.
Nutritional Benefits
One reason goat milk is so beneficial is that fluorine is a chemical element that is often missing in our system. Fluorine is volatile; it is very unstable, heat destroys it. Pasteurized milk causes tooth decay for this reason. Fluorine is the chemical element that keeps teeth from decaying. Goat milk has ten times the fluorine content of cow’s milk, in a form that our bodies can utilize. Pasteurized milk is constipating and calves that are fed pasteurized or homogenized milk have been known to die within 30 days. It is important that babies’ bodies have enzymes that they normally would be getting from breast milk. Raw goat milk has enzymes. If you feel uncomfortable using raw milk products you can always give pasteurized goat milk and add enzymes.
Home Made Formula Tips
In addition to enzymes there are other nutrients that you might want to add to your homemade baby formula. If your baby needs iron, you can add blackstrap molasses as it is high in iron. Coconut oil is another beneficial item to add to your babies’ diet. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid. Ask any nurse that works with premature babies what they feed preemies and they will tell you it that they give them MCT oil, which stands for medium chain triglycerides. These MCT’s come from coconut/palm oils. Coconut oil is high in these medium chain fatty acids which are already present in breast milk. Coconut oil is also high in caprylic acid which prevents fungus (thrush is a type of fungus) from growing, and it is high in lauric acid for the immune system which breast milk is also high in.
There are many homemade baby formulas on the web you can choose from. I usually recommend less is better. Be careful adding too many sweeteners or ingredients that may be too hard for your baby to digest, like garlic. Probiotics can be a good idea if your baby had intestinal issues. Lecithan is another beneficial essential fatty acid, but make sure it is from sunflower instead of eggs or soy as eggs and soy are on the top 7 allergies for people. Colostrum is another beneficial nutrient you could add which is the first milk mothers product for their babies which is high in natural antibiotics and nutrients to prevent infection and build the immune system. There is goat milk colostrums available on the market. If you purchase cow milk colostrum, make sure it is made from cows that have not been fed hormones. Be careful of adding too many vitamins, such as vitamin C as it is a laxative and can move their bowels too much if you give them too much, but it can be helpful for those that are constipated.
Of course it is always best to check with your health professional that you trust to get the best food for your baby. Muscle testing as to which nutrients would be best is optimal, and this will of course change as your baby grows and their nutritional needs change.
Kasara D’Elene owns TruHealth, a health food store in the Mill Creek/Bothell area. She has helped empower and educate thousands of people to optimum health. You can reach her at 425-415-8410
Anyone experiencing physical, medical situations should consult the health care professional of their choice. The above information is not a substitute for any medication, or medical attention.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JULY ISSUE
