Water Filters for Women and Children

A flashy headline in a New York Times article proclaimed: "Despite Worries Over Toxins, Breast-feeding Still Best for Infants" (December 19, 2008). This marked a positive change from the headline of an article in the NYT Magazine in 2005; "Toxic Breast Milk?" However, even with the title change, toxins in breast milk is still fodder for a big mommy scare.

Lately, there seems to be news reports stating that toxins are everywhere- not just breast milk. In fact, the reason they are in breast milk is in fact because they are everywhere! They will eventually find their way into urine, sweat, blood, placentas, breast milk, formula, and oh yeah- tap water that is used to make infant formula.

The article actually hints at this by stating that Dr. Ruth Lawrence notes a risk of contamination when using baby formula mixed with tap water. So, here is one way to bring the breastfeeding mommies and the bottle-feeding mommies together:

You both need to filter your water!!

Fetuses, infants, and children are exposed to toxins from carpets, lawn pesticides, foam insulation, foam products, plastic shower curtains, carpet runners, wood floor treatment, electronic waste, and maybe other places. Water contains many of the toxins from these products due to the manufacturing process and the waste disposal system. Breast milk is only a small contributor in a world full of potentially dangerous toxins. And in fact, studies proves that breastfeeding may offer some protection from these chemicals.

All pregnant women, nursing moms, and children should use filtered water to minimize toxins in placentas, breast milk, and formula.

The Environmetal Protection Agency (EPA) report on Children and Drinking Water Standards states that

"Long-term exposure to some contaminants (such as pesticides, minerals, and solvents) at levels above standards may cause gastrointestinal problems, skin irritations, cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, and other chronic health effects...Children may also be more susceptible to chemical contaminants that affect learning, motor skills, and sex hormones during important stages of growth."

The EPA does recognize that children are more susceptible to the list of contaminants listed here. However, most waters have low levels of these contaminants.

What You Can Do:
1. Become knowledgeable about your local water source. You can find you local water report here. For fellow NYC dwellers, find the NYC water report here.

2. Don't add to the contamination- recycle your electronics properly. Although it is not illegal, throwing away batteries, cellphones, and televisions add to the contaminated water system. If you live in NYC, click here to find out where to recycle your electronic goods. The Lower East Side Ecology Center has events throughout the year (May 2 in NYC). You can also donate them to any Goodwill store and they will dispose of them properly if they cannot re-use the item.

3. Filter your water to reduce consumption of lead and disinfectant byproducts, such as chlorine byproducts. Learn about filtration facts from this useful brochure to choose a filtration system that is right for you. Unless your water source if very high in nitrates (unlikely), a standard carbon filter will do a fine job. Carbon filters are certified by the NSF (NSF Standard No. 53, Health Effects). Check model numbers here. "Pur" has certified faucet and pitcher filters, but "Brita" only has certified faucet filters (older versions of the pitcher filter were certified). Feel free to continue using your Brita pitcher though, it does not contain BPA.

We have been using a Brita pitcher with the old certification. However, I just purchased a Pur faucet filter. I think the faucet filter, as opposed to the pitcher filter, will allow me to more easily use filtered water in cooking and baking. I will let you know how I like it.

Some products certified by NSF (make sure you buy the matching filter):


or
Shop Beyond Prenatals
Click on "Water Filters" and make sure you buy either
the matching Brita or Pur water filters

Cross-Nursing is Not Healthy

Many bloggers and breastfeeding fans have been praising Salma Hayek for breastfeeding a hungry boy in Sierra Leone during a recent humanitarian trip. However, I am appalled that she would even think this a good idea. While I think it’s great to get some good publicity about breastfeeding, I have a few major concerns:

First of all: She tells us a story about how her GREAT grandmother once did the same thing for a mom whose milk dried up and her baby was crying in the street.

News to Salma: Her GREAT grandmother did not have to worry about the HIV virus. We do not want women thinking that it is okay to go around and nurse each others children. Unless you know the mother's full medical history (and her current sleeping partners), please don’t let her nurse your baby. And if you yourself are not sure of your medical status, please don’t take it upon yourself to be a do-gooder and nurse your friend’s child. This is a different generation, with different concerns.

Next: It is surprising that she did not think about her own safety. We know that mom’s cells can pass through the placenta to her baby. But there is also evidence that baby’s cells can pass to mom through the breast. There is even research that proves that moms who receive a donor kidney from a breastfed child fare better than moms who receive a donor kidney from a non-breastfed child. This may prove that there is some reciprocity going on during breastfeeding and that the mother and child may share more than just a bond.

Last: I don’t think that Salma Hayek gave the mother or the baby any long term benefit. It is like that saying “Give a man a fish, and feed him a meal. Teach him how to fish, and feed him forever.” Moms in Sierra Leone are often told to stop breastfeeding because their husbands deem it taboo to sleep with a lactating woman. There is a lot of education that needs to happen here! Certainly babies in Sierra Leone need breast milk to protect themselves from diseases (and even HIV if they breastfeed exclusively), but having someone nurse your baby once is not going to do anyone any good. I will give it to Salma Hayek that she does prove that you can be sexy and breastfeed! Hopefully that will be the takeaway message to the Sierra Leone men.

My opinion: If you want breast milk but don’t have any of your own, go to a reputable human milk bank (they screen the milk and pasteurize it). It costs about $20 for 4 ounces (yes it is that valuable!). Or learn to re-lactate; it is doable and has been done by many mothers who want to “turn back the clock,” after making the decision to formula-feed. If you have a close friend or relative that you know very well, it is probably okay to use their milk, especially in an emergency situation.

I want to reiterate that cross-nursing is not encouraged by lactation professionals. I understand that this is a widely practiced tradition in certain circles. If you choose to do it, I encourage you to do it safely and ask yourself if you really know that the milk is free of the HIV virus.

Beyond the Table #2: Connect to the Land on Tu B'Shevat

What better day to discuss connecting to the land, than on the eve of the Jewish Holidat Tu B'Shevat (February 9, 2009)? Tu B'shevat, which literally means the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is more commonly known as the New Year of the Trees. It is also a wonderful way to teach children of all ages where our fruit comes from.

For the Adults
Judaism has 4 "New Years" on which calculations for various purposes take effect. The most well-known New Year is Rosh Hashanah, the new year for the judment of mankind. Tu B'Shevat is considered the New Year for the trees. The reason to have a New Year for the trees was to calculate the tithes that needed to be separated. For example, if the tithe from that year was to be given to the poor, the year was calculated from Tu B'Shevat of that year until the Tu B'shevat of the next year.

This date was chosen because this is when the fruit of the trees in Israel begins to ripen and becomes visible on the branch. In Israel, most of the annual rain has already fallen and the soil is hopefully saturated with water and able to support growing trees. Tu B'Shevat is considered a festive holiday outside of Israel too, because it connects people to the land of Israel, its soil, and the verse:

"A land of wheat and barley, vines (grapes), figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey (from dates)" (Deuteronomy 8:8)

For Families and Children:
Some activities to do on Tu B'shevat include:

1) It is customary to say a blessing and eat fruit mentioned in the above verse, or fruit grown in Israel, or anything that grows on trees (fruits, dried fruit, nuts, and carob).
For a full list of the different types of fruits, click here.

Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melekh haolam, boray pri haetz.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe who creates the fruit of the tree.

It is also a great time of year to try a new fruit.
If this is your first time eating the food this season, you can also say:

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olamshe-hecheyanu, ve-kiyemanu, ve-higiyanu la-zeman ha-zeh.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

2) Art and crafts projects about trees. Click here for some cute crafty ideas. This website has some great coloring pages plus some online games. There is also a word find game for older children.

3) Planting a tree (or having someone plan one on your behalf ) or planting seeds at home. You can buy seeds at your local nursery or buy a ready-made home garden.

4) Singing songs about trees [click here (pdf) or here (audio songs)]

5) Visiting your local botanical gardens, farmer's market, U-Pick farm, or even the fruit section of your grocery store. Try to spot things that grow on trees.

6) Bake something that has fruit or nuts in it. I love this date-nut bread.

Have fun. I hope you enjoy these ideas!
Debra

Beyond the Table is a new series on this blog that will showcase the many ways in which kids of all ages can hang out and help out in the kitchen. Going Beyond Prenatals is not just about eating healthy during pregnancy, but about going beyond pregnancy to think about pediatric nutrition as well. Creating positive kitchen interactions beyond the table encourages healthy eating and good memories. You benefit too, by always having an activity on hand! To read more, click here.

Recent Food News: High Fructose Corn Syrup, BPA, Peanut Butter

This past month saw some bad news for the food industry. News that could potentially affect the health of pregnant women and children.

First there was this report that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) might contain mercury. This would be a major concern for pregnant women and children, being that mercury is a neurotoxin that can affect developing fetal/child brains. However, I would not give much credence to this report for a couple of reasons:

1) The researchers tested food that is high in HFCS but not HFCS itself (see the article for the list of foods). Therefore, it is unclear where the mercury came from. I won't let these foods off the hook that quickly though...processed foods containing HFCS as their first or second ingredient usually don't offer much in the way of nutrition.

2) The researchers did not test for methylmercury, which is the type of mercury most easily absorbed by the body and it is unclear how other types of mercury can be absorbed by the body and in what amounts.

The bottom line: It is concerning that we have mercury in our food supply. However, don't fear foods containing high fructose corn syrup for their mercury levels but for their lack of real nutrients. Much more concerning is the mercury levels in fish. See my previous post about neurotoxins and safe fish consumption: click here.

Next there was this report that Bisphenol-A might linger in the body for longer periods than previously thought. Researchers previously thought that BPA leaves the body within 24 hours but either that is not true or we are continuously supplying our bodies with more BPA. BPA might linger in fat stores, causing overweight people people to be at higher risk of any potential negative health effects from BPA. Researchers conclude that BPA could potentially be entering our bodies via unavoidable sources such as PVC pipes in our water supply or foods not previously thought of as having BPA.

See my previous post of potential health effects of BPA and reasonable ways to avoid excess BPA: click here

Lastly, numerous deaths have been caused by a deadly strain of salmonella from contaminated peanut products. The company responsible for this outbreak, Peanut Corporation of America, is not operating at this time and put out a voluntary recall of all peanuts and peanut containing products since January 2007.

Don't worry about the jars of peanut butter in your pantry because the company only produced bulk peanut products, but do check the list below for other foods you might have in your pantry. Even unsuspecting foods such as snack mixes may contain peanut flour or peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America.