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Keeping Baby Safe Nutrition & Brain Function Choice Baby Food - The Organic Way
Mums should be aware of:

New carpets
Safe mattress and bedding
New paint and furniture Pesticides 
Baby's clothing
Chemical-free environment for baby
 

Reasons to feed organic foods

Feeding your baby
4-6 months
6-12 months
12 months onwards

KEEPING BABY SAFE

Fresh paint and carpeting, synthetic mattresses, stuffed toys and new bed frames emit toxic fumes that can be harmful to your baby’s health. Children, especially newborns, are extremely vulnerable to toxic exposure. They do not detoxify chemicals as efficiently as adults, and their developing nervous and immune systems are easily damaged by exposure to chemicals.

It is common for children to develop allergies, rashes, asthma, seizures, chemical sensitivities, learning disabilities, behavioral problems when exposed to these toxic chemicals. In infants, signs of chemical sensitivities include excessive perspiration and drooling, sleep problems, hyperactivity, bright red buttocks, ear problems, prolonged colic and/or a rapid pulse.

NEW CARPETS – Think twice before installing carpets in a nursery. Carpets contain many chemicals, including bonding agents, dyes, backing glues, fire retardants, fungicide and stain-resistant chemicals. Many of these chemicals are known to be neurotoxic, capable of damaging the nervous system.

Children are at particular risk from carpets since they have a lower tolerance for chemicals and because they crawl on the carpet and breathe close to it even when standing up. When choosing flooring for your baby’s room, consider tile or hardwood. Make sure however, not to varnish a hardwood floor or glue tile down within six months of your baby’s arrival. And do not use chemical floor polishes.

SAFE MATTRESS AND BEDDING– A safe mattress is very important since your child will spend a lot of time sleeping on it. New foam mattresses are not a wise choice because fumes from polyurethane foam can cause lung problems and other health conditions. In addition, polyester coverings also contain chemical finishes, dyes and fire retardants. Mattresses that are at least five years old are a better choice. A cotton mattress is a safer alternative – just air it thoroughly before using.

Use cotton blankets to cover your baby. Wash them first several times with unscented soap to remove any formaldehyde that may be present in new fabrics. Harsh detergents and soap with synthetic fragrances can be harmful.

NEW PAINT AND FURNITURE– Fresh paint emits formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals for months to years. There are new types of paints which emit low levels of chemicals. They are less toxic but you should still allow several months to thoroughly outgas before exposing your baby to them. 

New furniture presents similar dangers. It takes time for fresh paint or varnish to stop emitting formaldehyde and other toxic fumes. Furniture made of particle board or plywood emit particularly high levels of formaldehyde for years due to the outgassing of glue in these products.

Put new furniture outside in the sun to hasten the curing or outgassing period. In general, it is best to buy furniture made of relatively inert materials, such as hardwood, metal or glass. Used furniture is often the best option. Wash used furniture carefully and air out in the sun to remove any pesticides or other contaminants. 

PESTICIDES – Watch out for contamination of the baby’s room with chemical pesticides. This can happen if you use household pesticides sprays. Mothballs which contain the neurotoxic chemicals, naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, are extremely hazardous. Even "less toxic" pyrethoid pesticides are in fact neurotoxic due to the "inert" ingredients which are usually toxic solvents. Avoid pesticide use as much as possible. 

BABY’S CLOTHING – Babies are often showered with new clothes made from synthetic fibres like polyester and acrylic fibres. These materials give off toxic vapours, especially when new. 

Clothing made from natural materials such as cotton, wool, linen and silk, are preferable but even these are not entirely safe. Many have a formaldehyde finish that makes them wrinkle free or stain resistant. Beading up of water droplets indicates that the material has a chemical finish. New cotton clothes can also contain fresh dyes. Moth-proofing, common in woolen clothes, may be designed to last the lifetime of the garment. Washing several times will reduce the chemical potency somewhat. 

Hand-me-downs and other used clothing are generally less toxic. If you buy new clothes, wash them with unscented natural soap until the "new" smell is gone.

CHEMICAL-FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR BABY– The nursery can either promote or discourage good health in your newborn. The thicker the chemical soup surrounding your baby, the greater the chance he or she will suffer from chemical damage, which often may not manifest until later in life. 

Use your nose to help determine whether your baby’s environment is safe. A clean and safe room will have no smell at all. Any smell of paint, carpet, new furniture or new clothes means there are too many chemicals present. Even a faint smell may mean there is enough toxic fumes to harm your child. The less toxic exposure your baby experiences, the better his or her chance for a long and healthy life. 

Extracted from an article by Ann McCampbell, M.D.

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NUTRITION AND BRAIN FUNCTION

The brain and nervous system consists of a network of neurons. Thinking is believed to represents a pattern of activity across this network. The activity involves neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain. Both the brain and neurotransmitters are derived from nutrients and are therefore affected by what you eat and drink. 

Particularly important for brain development are the essential fatty acids and phospholipids which form part of the structure of brain cell membranes. Low levels of essential fatty acids have been found to be associated with lower levels of intelligence. This is why breast-fed babies have been shown to have higher IQ scores as breast milk contains DHA, an essential fatty acid essential for brain development. The richest dietary source of DHA is fish, which is also full of phospholipids. 

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Essential fatty acids are vital for optimal health. It is considered optimum to consume no more than 20% of your total calories in the form of fat, of which at least one third should be the polyunsaturated fats Omega 6 and Omega 3. Most people on the typical western diet are deficient in both Omega 6 and Omega 3 unless you go out of your way to eat more seeds, nuts and fish. 

OMEGA 6, or linoleic acid, is converted by the body into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is in turn converted into DGLA and from there into series 1 prostaglandins, which are extremely active hormone-like substances. They keep the blood thin, relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, help maintain water balance in the body, decrease inflammation and pain, improve nerve and immune function and help insulin to work, which is good for blood sugar balance. Prostaglandins cannot be supplemented but evening primrose oil and borage oil are rich sources of GLA. Omega 6 comes exclusively from seeds and their oils. The best are hemp, pumpkin, sunflower, safflower, sesame, corn, walnut, soya bean and wheatgerm oil. An optimal intake would be one to two tablespoons of oil per day or two to three tablespoons of ground seeds.

OMEGA 3, or alpha-linolenic acid, which produces EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), from which series 3 prostaglandins are made, are essential for proper brain function which affects vision, learning ability, coordination and mood. Like series 1 prostaglandin, they reduce stickiness of the blood, as well as controlling blood cholesterol and fat levels, improving immune function and metabolism. These family of fats are more unsaturated and prone to damage and therefore need to be consumed as directly as possible from food sources. By eating carnivorous fish such as mackerel, tuna and salmon or their oils, you can bypass the conversion stages of alpha-linolenic acid and go straight to EPA and DHA. Fish is the best source of Omega 3. 

The ideal source of essential fats should have high levels of both Omega 6 and Omega 3. The only common seed oil that meets all known essential fatty acid needs is hemp. Hemp seed is hard to obtain as it is the seed of the marijuana plant which is illegal to plant in most countries. Another way to obtain both types of fats is to combine seeds. Pumpkin seed provides reasonable quantities of both while flax seed is has about 50% Omega 3 and 10% Omega 6. Sunflower and sesame are good sources of Omega 3. Putting one measure each of sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and two measures of flax seeds in a sealed jar in the fridge and grinding two table spoons daily to add to your daily breakfast cereal will ensure a good intake of essential fatty acids. Due to the fats being unsaturated, they are easy to damage, so always buy freshest seeds possible. If buying oils, look for cold-pressed oils from organic seeds and store in dark cool place with vacuum sealed container if possible. 

PHOSPHOLIPID
The most important phospholipid is phosphatidyl choline, which supplies the brain nutrient, choline. This is used to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for memory, control of sensory input and muscular control. Acetylcholine deficieny results in poor memory, lethargy, decreased dreaming and a dry mouth. 

ACETYLCHOLINEis made by the action of an enzyme in vitamin B5, on choline. The combination of B5 and choline has proven effective in enhancing memory and mental performance. The best supplemental source of choline is lecithin which is an emulsifier that is used in some foods and is sold either as capsules or granules in most health food stores. However, large quantities are required (about one tablespoon a day) as this supplemented choline does not readily enter brain cells. DMAE or dimethylaminoethanol found in fish such as anchovies and sardines, which also converts choline to make acetylcholine, absorbs more readily into the brain. DMAE has been shown to improve memory, increase intelligence and physical energy. 

NOOTROPICSare substances derived from the pyroglutamate amino acid which is found in fruit and vegetables. The discovery that the brain and cerebro-spinal fluid contain large amounts of pyroglutamate led to its investigation as an essential brain nutrient. Nootropics is prescribed by doctors to people with memory deficit problems. They improve learning, memory consolidation and memory retrieval by promoting the flow of information between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This is thought to be a possible reason why nootropics have proved helpful in the treatment of dyslexia. Research studies suggest that nootropics may increase the number of acetylcholine in the brain thereby improving the brain’s efficiency. 

Research also indicates that enhancing mental performance through supplements of all of the above nutrients such as phosphatidyl choline, pantothenic acid, DMAE and pyroglutamate, are greater when taken in combination rather than individually.

So for optimum brain function, ensure that your diet comprises of large amounts of fish, seeds, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables. Saturated fats, damaged polyunsaturated fats all act to decrease absorption of nutrients, so avoid heavy red meat diets and deep frying style cooking. Organic seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables ensure that you receive the most natural, least processed and most easily digestible source of essential nutrients and avoid the toxins from pesticides and chemical contamination that comes with conventional food growing, storage and handling. 

As for Negative factors, caffeine, alcohol and a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates reduce intelligence ratings along with accumulated lead, cadmium and aluminum. These should be avoided.

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Choice Baby Food - The Organic Way

When you buy organic vegetables, you are making a choice for better health through natural, wholesome and safe foods for your baby.

Starting from the seeds, which are traditionally open-pollinated, and not fungicide-coated as with all conventional seeds, through to the entire planting process, organic fruits and vegetables are produced as naturally as possible.

These vegetables are farmed without the use of synthetic chemicals- you avoid potential toxins. Pesticides are quite often applied at the sprouting stage, when the plant is most vulnerable. This means plants grow with pesticides absorbed into their cells. Washing and soaking will remove some topical applications but it is not possible to remove the pesticide inside the plant.

Traces of herbicides applied to kill weeds, are sometimes also found on fringe plants. While they are not applied to the vegetables themselves, minute amounts may be absorbed through the root system and by contact. Herbicides are extremely toxic, labelled as poisons, and farmers have to wear protective boots and clothing when applying them. Organic farms may occasionally use certain approved bio-degradable, plant-based pesticides ,but definitely avoid herbicides and weedkillers altogether. Due to rain and groundwater contamination, traces of pesticide and herbicides can be detected in all the rivers and lakes of the world and so, even organic produce cannot really be labelled pesticide-free. It is just that synthetic chemical pesticides and herbicides are not used in organic farming.

Studies have shown organic produce to have more, fibre mass and nutrient concentrations. This is due largely to the fact that growth is not accelerated with fertilizers for maximum yield and shortest growing time. Accelerated growth organisms, whether they be plants or animals, tend to be weaker and most of the bulk made up of water. Hydrophonic and aerophonic cultivation methods have been likened to "battery" poultry production, where 24-hour growth and yield rate is everything. In organic farming, the soil is very important and the basis of all composting techniques is to enrich the soil, to make it fertile with all manner of microbial life and nutrients. Plants grown from a fertile, living soil base are healthy and strong and rich in phytonutrients, such as:-
 

Based on the quality and quantity of nutrition inorganic produce, kilo for kilo compared against conventional produce, you are getting great value for money. This is not counting the social cost of pollution from conventional farming practices which you pay for in increased medical bills and higher insurance premiums due to growing incidences of many diseases.

Post-harvest, organic foods are treated with the same care and concern. Ripening inhibitors and enhancers are totally avoided by responsible organic vendors in keeping with the organic philosophy.

  • Chlorophyll has been identified as the active ingredient that gives vegetables their  health building properties

    Superoxide Dismutase is an enzyme in green vegetables which enables the body’s utilisation of trace chemicals such as copper, manganese and zinc to promote healthy cell activity. It is an antioxidant with anti-aging effects.

    Vitamins, such as vitamin A, C, D, E, and Minerals, such as calcium, iron, selenium, combine to provide a range of antioxidants and nutrients needed for the body’s cells, tissues, organs, bone, blood, skin, etc.,to regenerate and most importantly, for the immunity system to function effectively.
     

When choosing to go organic, it is the philosophy that makes the difference, not the product. Organic farmers choose to go organic for the sake of sustainable agriculture and environmental safety. Organic consumers should choose to go organic for a healthier lifestyle and in support of ecologically safe practices for a better future.  Make a conscious choice today, by  going "The Organic Way" to protect your baby's future.  (click to shopping cart)

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Reasons to feed organic foods to your baby?

Several good reasons to feed organic food to your children.  A 1993 published report by The National Academy of Science entitled, "Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children" has concluded that current government pesticide standards do not protect the health of children. 

1.Babies' bodies are much more vulnerable to pesticides because their brains immune and detoxification systems are immature and in a state of development
 

2.Pound for pound babies eat two to four times more vegetables and fruits than adults and  so are exposed to a higher proportion of possible contaminants. 
 

3.The health effects of chronic low level exposure to pesticide residues are still unknown.

In another released report, "Pesticides in Children's Food" by the Environmental Working Group, concluded that the largest contribution to a person's lifetime risk of cancer from pesticide residues occurs during childhood. 

Apart from your baby’s health, a more indirect reason to feed your children organic food is the fact that it supports the growth of organic farming. This in turn helps protect the health of the environment - keep pesticides out of the earth and water supply - and will help preserve the planet for them and their children. 

Organic meat is meat derived from animals that have been raised on organic feed and have not been treated with hormones or antibiotics, the residues of which may end up in the meat. 

The cost of organic food, unfortunately, is not yet competitive with conventionally grown foods. However, the long term savings found in good health and a clean environment can more than offset this cost in the long run. 

Feeding your baby
First foods from 4 to 6 months
What to give him
Many babies start off with bought baby rice, which is ground rice with some added vitamins and minerals. It has a bland taste which most babies seem to like and can be mixed with boiled, cooled water, formula milk or breast milk. Babies should not be given cow’s milk at this stage.

You could also start by pureeing some of the foods below with some baby rice, or try them by themselves. Steam or lightly boil the vegetables first: 
·   soft pear 
·   eating apple 
·   potato or parsnip 
·   cauliflower 
·   carrot 
·   sweet potato 
·   green peas 
·   broccoli 
·   mashed ripe banana 
·   mashed ripe avocado 

It’s usually best to offer one taste at a time. It will help you to identify the culprit if your baby has a reaction to a new food, such as a rash or a tummy ache.

Stick to fruits, vegetables and baby rice for babies aged between four and six months.

Home made baby foods 
It’s easy to make your own baby foods by cooking and pureeing food. Babies only need very small amounts to begin with, but you can freeze teaspoons of puree in ice cube trays and just defrost enough for one meal at a time. Remember to: 
·   Peel the skin from fruit and vegetables 
·   Steam or cook in a little boiling water to keep as many vitamins as possible 


·   Bake potatoes and eating apples in their skins and then scoop out the cooked flesh for  the puree

·   Don’t add salt (it makes babies thirsty and may cause dehydration) and pepper 
·   Push the cooked food through a sieve or blend in a small blender 


·   Mix the food with some of the cooking water or some breast or formula milk to get a smooth texture 


·   As he gets used to ‘solids’ you can gradually make the puree less runny and then mash instead of sieve the food 

Manufactured baby foods
Bought baby foods are easy to prepare and use, are generally nutritious and are particularly handy when you are visiting or travelling. Manufacturers are careful not to include any harmful additives or sweeteners which might cause problems for your baby.  They are easily available today! (Click to buy)
 
Feeding 6 - 12 months
What can he eat? 
Your baby can add to the fruit, vegetables and rice he’s been having up until now. 
Good second stage foods include: 
·   Pasteurised hard cheeses like cheddar 
·   Pasta 
·   Bread 
·   Full-fat yoghurt and fromage frais 
·   Eggs (the cautious advice is to cook until both egg and yolk are solid to avoid risk  of  salmonella) 
·   Other grains such as oats, millet 
·   Meat and poultry 
·   Fish (boneless) 

As usual, go gradually, and follow your baby’s pace. Some babies at six months are still happiest with mixed feeds once or twice a day, in small quantities. A few are already on to three meals a day, plus the occasional breastfeed or formula feed. It is normal for babies to eat or drink several times a day - not many adults go more than a couple of hours without a drink or snack.

What to avoid 
·   Citrus and berry fruits 
·   Soft cooked eggs 
·   Soft ripened cheeses 
·   Nuts (including peanut butter) 
·   Salt 
·   Sugar 
·   Strong spices 

Avoid low-fat or fat-reduced dairy foods. These aren’t harmful to your baby, but they don’t pack in as much suitable nutrition. Babies need calorie-dense foods, and they benefit from the fat-soluble vitamins present in whole yoghurt, full-fat cheeses and other products.

Remember: the advice to choose low-fat foods is directed at adults - not babies and young children.

Choose unsweetened foods as far as you can for your baby, as relying on sugary foods can encourage his natural preference for sweet foods. Too much sugar can damage your baby’s delicate emerging teeth and may be bad for his long-term dental health.

Feeding 12 months onwards
Your baby and family meals 
After six months, your baby can join in more and more with family meals. Seat him at the table in a highchair, perhaps with a cloth underneath to make clearing up easier.  You might need to give him his main evening meal rather earlier than you have yours - a baby cannot wait until 7 o’clock for his tea, unless he has a substantial snack in the afternoon. And some babies are asleep by 7pm! 

Similarly, some older babies need an early lunch, at around 11 or 11.30am, and then have a post-lunch nap. Trying to keep a baby awake to fit in with your meal time is unfair and not very productive. However, even if you are not eating yourself, do sit down with him at the table and chat to him while he is eating.

Many families compromise, and eat together when they can, at the weekends and on holiday. You’ll find it is easiest to be fairly flexible, and to expect your baby’s routine to change from time to time

What he should eat
As your baby becomes a toddler he will gradually join in more and more with family meals. There will still be days when you are eating foods he cannot cope with or doesn’t like and you need to make him his own meal, but gradually he will be able to eat the same foods as you. 

Encourage him to try new tastes by offering small amounts of different foods. He will very quickly let you know if he likes something. Many toddlers go through a faddy phase and will only eat certain foods. There’s no need to worry about this or to put pressure on him to eat other foods. Carry on offering a variety of foods and he will eventually try new things as well as his favourites.

Toddlers have high energy needs compared to adults and they cannot manage for long periods without food. They are growing rapidly and using up lots of energy on moving around and exploring the world. They need snacks in between meals to keep their energy levels up. Opt for healthy snacks such as a sandwich, high energy fruit like a small banana, or a drink of full fat milk.

Adults need a high fibre, low fat diet but toddlers cannot cope with too much fibre in their diet; it stops them absorbing the nutrients in their food. They will get enough fibre from fruit and vegetables so don’t give them wholegrain foods. Keep to ordinary pasta and white rice, rather than the wholegrain versions.

A healthy diet for toddlers includes plenty of energy foods like bread, pasta, rice and cereals, as much fruit and vegetables as they like, and small amounts of meat, poultry, fish, cheese, eggs or pulses like lentils. 
 
What to avoid
There are a few things your baby still shouldn’t eat after his first year: 
·   Whole nuts - babies can easily choke on them. If there is a history of peanut  allergy in your close family it is recommended that peanuts and peanut products  are avoided until your child is three years old. Consult your doctor if this is the case 


·   Highly-salted foods - developing a taste for salty foods may lead to health problems later  on in life 
·   Sugary and sweet foods - may damage developing teeth 
·   Tea - can prevent a child from absorbing enough iron from foods 
·   Ready made meals and sauces aimed at adults - may contain large amounts of  colourings and flavourings unsuitable for babies and toddlers 
·   Fizzy drinks or adult drinks 

On the whole you can be guided by your toddler’s preferences. Some babies enjoy highly-flavoured foods; some dislike them intensely. Try and remember to reintroduce foods your baby has rejected - he may have changed his mind a week later! 

(Contributed by Mindy Owen)