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Buy best dairy milk in Netherlands https://katshaarmelkbv.com

[millychoe]

A Parent's Guide to Organic Baby Food in the UK

Photo by hui sang on Unsplash 

Every parent wants to feed their baby the best food, and one of the options that parents are considering today is organic baby foods and formulas. Organic baby food is free from artificial colours, preservatives and flavours, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). All the ingredients in organic baby food are grown with artificial pesticides and fertilisers. 

Organic baby foods like HiPP Organic, Kendamil Organic, Ella's Kitchen, and Annabel Karmel are generally safer and better for your little one. Not only this but they can be widely purchased at UK online supermarkets like McGrocer, delivery services and their local UK retailers. Let's take a closer look. 

The Best UK Organic Baby Food Brands 

Photo by MART PRODUCTION 

Whether it's baby formula or solid food, these brands are the best options if you're looking for organic baby food to give your little one. Despite the food for babies being organic, they are not scarce but are easy to access through online grocery delivery worldwide. 

HiPP Organic 

One of the best options for your baby is the HiPP Organic baby formula, widely available when you shop UK stores online. The organic baby formula has the needed nutrients and vitamins to support your baby's development. Different types include First Infant, Follow-On, Anti-Reflux, Comfort, Hypoallergenic, and Stage 3 formula.

Kendamil Organic 

Next on our list is Kendamil Organic, another British-made infant formula that is organic and vegetarian with no palm oil, fish oil, soy, or corn syrup. Kendamil Organic is healthy food, made using an award-winning whole milk recipe and is easy to purchase at UK stores online. It suits newborns, and all uses organic ingredients.

Cow & Gate 

Another option for organic baby food available at UK Stores with global delivery is Cow & Gate. Their baby formula is suitable as a breastmilk substitute or complement and has no palm oil. Cow & Gate also comes with DHA, iron, and other nutrients. Their baby formulas include First Infant Milk, Follow-On Milk, and Growing Up Milk.

Little Freddie 

Little Freddie is a famous UK organic baby food brand in a wide range of flavours. Easy to purchase at UK stores with worldwide delivery, Little Freddie baby food is suitable for six-month-old babies and older. Some of their yummy baby food include the Organic Strawberries, Blueberries & Oats, and the Cheese & Tomato Organic Tubes. 

Ella's Kitchen 

When shopping for British groceries for your little one, also consider Ella's Kitchen. This is another top organic baby food brand for your little one, free from gluten, nuts, palm oil, dairy, soy, eggs, artificial preservatives, GM ingredients, and artificial colours. It is suitable for babies that are six months and older and offers delicious flavours.

Annabel Karmel

Annabel Karmel might be known as a British TV personality and children's nutrition expert, but her brand also offers delicious food for your little one. Some organic baby foods from Annabel Karmel include Organic Baby Pasta Shapes and Organic Mango, Apple, & Coconut puree. They can be purchased easily at UK stores online. 

Benefits of Organic Baby Food 

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Before you shop UK groceries online, you might wonder if organic baby food is a suitable choice for your little one. Here are some benefits of feeding your little one organic baby formula and baby food:

Filled with Key Nutrients: Whether organic milk for your newborn or organic solid food for a one-year-old, organic baby foods come with the essential nutrients your baby needs. Despite being organic, they would light up your baby’s taste buds.

Low Risk of Allergies: Organic baby food is free from GMOs and preservatives, which can cause allergic reactions. If you're unsure of your newborn's allergies, organic formula is a good choice.

Chemical Free: Organic baby food is free from herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones, which can affect their health. 

Wide Choice of Fruits and Vegetables: When your baby is six months old and eating solid food, organic baby food is a good choice. It gives them a wide range of fruits and vegetables to help them develop.

Supports Local Farmers: Organic baby food also supports local British farmers using their crops, dairy, and other products.

Widely Available: It is easy to get organic baby food wherever you are at a British supermarket with worldwide delivery. 

Final Verdict 

If you want your little one's diet to be organic, whether as a newborn drinking milk or a toddler going through the weaning journey with chicken baby food or fruits, you should consider the best organic baby foods and formulas. What you feed your baby would determine their relationship with food in the future. These organic foods are easy to purchase when you shop UK groceries online. 

[olko71]

New Post has been published on All about business online

New Post has been published on https://yaroreviews.info/2023/12/baby-formula-soaring-costs-i-struggle-but-i-wont-buy-a-cheaper-brand

Baby formula soaring costs: 'I struggle, but I won’t buy a cheaper brand'

Emma Davies

By Sam Gruet and Ashleigh Swan

Business reporters, BBC News

Single mum Emma Davies is struggling with the cost of baby formula for her 13-week-old daughter Nancy.

But despite the expense, the 42-year-old says she won’t buy cheaper alternatives.

“You just want the best for your children, you don’t want to give them a cheaper brand,” she says.Many new parents feel the same.

Amy, 25, says she and her husband have skipped meals to ensure their children are fed, clothed and warm. The mum of two spends about £72 a month on formula milk.

According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), formula prices have risen by 25% over the past two years, generating high profit margins.

The watchdog highlighted that parents could save £500 in the first year of a baby’s life by shopping around for alternative brands.

Although there are many available, the market is still dominated by two big players.

Danone, which owns the Aptamil and Cow & Gate brands, and Nestle, which owns SMA and Little Steps, have an 85% market share.

Shoppers hit by escalating prices of branded goods

Emma feels like breastfeeding is not an option for her, after she contracted mastitis while breastfeeding her first child.

When it comes to her weekly grocery shop, she says she will buy the cheapest possible own-brand products available and will often look for deals and damaged products that are discounted.

“I’ve always been a single parent, so you budget,” she says.

But for baby formula, she won’t change from a more expensive brand.

“It’s a risk. I’d rather stick to what I’ve been told, obviously, by my parents, and what I’ve used with my older children. It’s what’s been reliable.”

Some parents worry that cheaper brands are less nutritional than the more expensive ones. But Amy Brown, a professor in maternal and infant health at Swansea University, says that is not the case.

“All infant formulas are tightly regulated to make sure they include the same carb, fat and protein levels and there is no evidence to say that one formula milk is better than the other.”

She believes that parents may be reluctant to buy cheaper brands due to the idea that if a brand is more expensive, it must be better quality.

“Parents want the best for their baby and so they will get the more expensive product. However, parents need to understand that the price does not reflect the quality,” she says.

Paul Edwards

Part of the issue might be down to the law as well.

In the UK, it is illegal to advertise infant formula – for babies up to six months – because it might discourage breastfeeding.

Additionally, retailers cannot communicate special offers via any platform for infant formula, although they can with follow-on formula – for babies older than six months.

Boots infant formula adverts broke rules – watchdog

Many, including supermarket chain Iceland, want those rules to change.

The frozen food chain’s boss Richard Walker has called them “archaic and outdated” and said it prevents Iceland from being able to accept loyalty cards, cash equivalents and High Street vouchers.

“You can’t even donate to food banks with infant stage formula,” he said.

Another factor may be that, although the CMA says savings can be made by shopping around, when it comes to baby formula, there aren’t that many own-brand products available, which are typically much cheaper than branded products.

Currently, Aldi is the only supermarket that offers formula through its own brand Mamia. Campaigners have called for more retailers to do so to help ease the financial pressures on parents.

Whatever the reason, experts agree that this is a huge issue.

Sophie Livingstone, the chief executive of charity Little Village HQ, says she hears about “terrible choices” parents and carers are having to make every day.

“Watering down formula to make it stretch further, nappy rationing and kids wearing shoes that are too small for them,” she says.

The charity supports families with children under the age of five living in poverty across London.

Ms Livingstone says increases in bills, rents, food and the price of formula has created a perfect storm.

“The huge increase in demand for our help is a clear indicator of the increased pressure families are under. By August of this year, we’d helped 50% more families than the same time last year,” she adds.

The CMA has said it is launching an investigation into the baby formula market, with an update expected around mid-2024.

Related Topics

Competition and Markets Authority

Cost of living

Babies & toddlers

Parenting

More on this story

Shoppers hit by escalating prices of branded goods

3 days ago

Boots infant formula adverts broke rules – watchdog

23 August

[aestheticvoyage2022]

Day 220: Monday August 8, 2022 - “Toddler Bedtime Routine”

This post was contributed by Audrie:

William started walking officially about 3 weeks ago. And suddenly, it has become totally and completely apparent that we have a toddler in the house.  His new walking independence has come alongside novel skillsets that are full of self expression, curiosity, and exploration.  Including but not limited to new high pitch squeals that explain his every little displeasure, the sweet way he walks to the book shelf his daddy and papa built him and thumbs through all the options to find a new (or old) book of interest and brings it to you and climbs up in your lap, excitedly flip the first page or maybe three as you read until he is off again on the hunt for a new book to bring back to you, or toy, or request for his water, or to open the fridge, or to pick him up or give him an apple, or banana, or whatever “ehhh” is at the end of his pointed finger.  He galavants around the house, wielding extra pieces of the baby gate, pushing, pulling, and carrying his baby vacuum, moving things from one room to the next to the next, testing what he can climb over under and through, while jibber jabbering away his DaDa’s WaWa’s MaMa’s, and the funniest giggles that ever existed.  We hear new words almost daily.  And stop you in your tracks hilarity of him repeating “no no no” while shaking his head grinning a little-shit-grin.  It is so much fun right now.  There is no competing with his big doe eyes, the emerging dimples sunk in his thinned plump rosy cheeks, and the return of love he is now able to give when he wraps his short arms around your neck, and his pudgy hands pat the back of your shoulder as he pulls you tight.  He’s the absolute most incredible little being that ever existed and he has our hearts and minds and energy wholly. 

And with his new todderlism, the time has come to start shedding some of his infant routines.  The biggest one being his sleep routine.  It is with a heavy yet excited heart that I start to really feel the pressure of my impending return to my paid work.  A change that will no doubt be a big mountain for us to all climb, together.  And the prep is really starting now.  Lots of things need to happen for this big boy to be ready to be without his mama/milkmaid/breast-pacifier/translator/cuddler/soother/playmate, for anywhere from 1-6 days at a time.  If my heart cant hardly take the anticipation of the change, placing myself in his little shoes, his toddler brain not understanding the change, or if I will ever even return, will be terrifying for him no matter how much we try to prep.  So for now, the hard work and focus is in the details of inching him into his own bed for sleep, trying to wean some of the breastfeeding, and diss-associate the exclusivity of “mom” attached to every key routine.  We bought special new “milk” only sippy cups, and offer a blend of 2/3 organic cow’s with 1/3 oat milk at least a time or two through the day, warmed in our nearly never used bottle warmer that has sat on the counter for 14 months.  His new bed set up is also now fully assembled and operable, a simple low to the floor toddler bed with a split in the railing that he can climb in and out of on his own, now covered in a cube-tent that we can zip up once containing him becomes needed during his sleep/self waking.  

The plan was always to start the new bed/sleep transition when we returned from vacation in Bend, but William and I both had a nasty cough and cold virus that came home with us.  So for the first week we were back in the great room on the remodel-situation floor mattress.  Feeling a bit better today, and knowing that there will never be a “perfect time to start” this hard change, I was hell bent and determined to get him down for at least part of the night in his own bed.  We went all through his new wind down play routine after dinner, read lots of books, looked at the green and blue stars circle on the ceiling, and finally said our goodnights, got into sleepy sack, and had echo play the thunderstorm sleep sounds.  Although he had taken a little of the sippy cup milk, he was over tired (skipped his PM nap today), and just needed the easy go down, so I figured one step at a time, and happily nursed our tiny human into a nice milky dream, sitting on the floor next to his bed.  And when I was sure he was deep asleep in his dreamy land, I slipped him onto his gray and white cloud sheets, arranged his familiar stuffed friends all around him, played him the seahorse, and ran my hand through is perfect hair, and told him I loved him more than life, and how proud I was of him for his big baby steps.  Then I stepped back and snapped a picture.  The funny thing about being a mom, and I couldn't say it enough, is the constant living in a duality of realities.  One part of your heart is filled with so much pride, joy, and a overflow of love, while at the same exact time and in the same space, your heart sinks low, with heavy sorrow, like a small dying of life that happens in the fall, as you simultaneously realize your baby is growing up.  

Song: Jordan Davis - What My World Spins Around

Quote: "You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." — A.A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh

[ddaeng-181338]

The Seven Sins | 01

☾Seven Deadly Sins AU

☾ OT7 x Reader

☾ Smut , Fluff,  Angst

The daughter of Satan himself doesn’t even know how much power she holds...so much power that she has the seven deadly sins themselves wrapped around her finger.

You dropped your pen onto the table, eyes fluttering shut as you groaned softly. You had been working on this assignment for three hours now, your hands were sore and your head felt like it was going to fall off your shoulders if you didn’t get some coffee soon. Why is he so obsessed with this topic. The Seven Deadly Sins — the topic your professor was obsessed with this semester and wanted a full project done on them.

Your eyes opened slowly to take in the small cafe around you, it was getting colder by the day — meaning the sun would leave earlier and earlier. It was only 6pm and it was as dark as midnight out. Your tired eyes moved begrudgingly back to your paper — you had typed the whole thing out but your professor decided today would be the day he told you he wouldn’t take it unless it was written out on paper.Your eyes moved down to the many papers before you and you begun to re read what you wrote.

Pride — this sin is said to be the foremost sin out of the seven, he is said to be the gateway for all other sins to enter the human soul. Pride is something we were taught from birth, we are told we are the best, the prettiest, the cutest. It is something we grow up with and all still have. This is why Pride is the deadliest of all seven sins. He will never leave us. No matter what we do. It is said that if you enter the gates of Hell because of the Sin Pride — your punishment is to be broken on a wheel.

Pride is linked with the horse and the color violet.

You had referred to each sin as “he” it was easier than calling them “it” every time. Referring to them as people was more personal for you and easier to write. Your professor wanted an introduction paragraph for each sin. In your mind Pride was the leader so he came first.  The next sin you wrote about was Gluttony.

Gluttony- this sin contains a strong desire to consume more than what is needed. We were weaned improperly as infants, always expecting more than just the milk we were given. He is also a very prominent sin we all contain. It is said that if you go to Hell for the sin of gluttony your punishment is to be force fed rats, and toads.

Gluttony is linked with the pig and the color orange.

Gluttony had only short descriptions in every book and website you found. He was pretty self explanatory. You looked up again — if you looked at your own writing for more than a few minutes the lines would blur together and you'll get nowhere. “Maybe I need a Coffee.” You toyed with the idea of leaving your chair to order a drink but decided against it and moved onto your next Sin — Sloth

Sloth — this sin is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. In a more understandable way — he is a very tired and lazy sin. He is something we all possess to an extent. It is said that if you go to Hell for the sin of Sloth your punishment is to be thrown in a pit full of snakes and to dance for eternity.

Sloth is linked with the goat and the color light blue.

Your eyes scanned lower — only four sins left for you to proofread.

Lust — this sin is the inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. Why do we do it? I’m sure you know I shouldn’t have to explain that to you. It along with Pride just might be the sin we are all guilty of no matter what. It is said that the punishment for those who enter hell due to the sin of lust will be smothered in fire and brimstone — not hugs and kisses

Lust is linked with the cow and the color blue.

Wrath — this sin is rage, anger and violence. We are wired to feel the emotion of anger, but some of us feel it more often than others. It is said that if you enter hell because of the sin Wrath your punishment is to be dismembered alive, to be torment as it happens.

Wrath is linked with the bear and the color red.

Greed — this sin is the desire for material wealth and material possessions.This sin cares more for objects than it does for anything spiritual. We all possess this sin form time to time, letting our possessions get the better of us. It is said that if you enter hell for the sin of greed you will be boiled Alive in the richest oils there are — but you’re still boiling alive so really does it matter?

Greed is linked with the frog and the color yellow.

Your eyes looked up to take in your surroundings again. There was only one sin left on your report but your eyes were dropping and you’d just have to suck it up and go order a coffee. You slipped off your stool and headed for the counter. There wasn’t really anyone else in the cafe besides a boy sitting in the corner using the free WiFi and two girls holding hands and flirting — they were regulars at this point.

But what caught your attention on your way up to the counter was the chocolate Labrador dog sitting outside the cafe window, eyes trailing you as you moved. You hadn’t noticed him before and were tempted to walk outside and see if he had a collar. However something in you told you not to and you decided against it — eyes turning back to the counter in front of you.

“How can I help you miss?” The girl behind the counter had a shy smile on her cheeks — in all the times you’d come here you’d never seen her. She must be new. “Hi! Could I just get the strongest thing you got.” You didn’t care at this point what it tasted like — as long as it woke you up. “Sure, one of those days hmm?” She tapped your order onto the screen and your order number and amount due popped up on the little machine in front of you.

“It’s definitely one of those days.” She gave you a sympathetic nod before leaving the counter to go make your drink. Once again your eyes trailed over to the window, the same chocolate lab sitting at the shop window watching you. Why in the world is that dog so content out in the cold like that? And why the hell is he watching me so intently?

“Ma’am?” You shapes back to reality and turned to the shy girl at the counter once more. “Oh! Sorry…” you took the cup from her hands — it was a cold drink. “Thank you!” You walked away, keeping your eyes trained on the floor below you. That dog outside the window was giving you an uncomfortable feeling. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s a dog. That’s it. A dog.

You sat down at your table again, poking the straw into your cup and taking a few long sips. Damn this shit really is strong. You felt it kicking in already, the caffeine bringing you to life. You flipped to the last page of your paper — one sin left — Envy.

Envy— this sin is the desire for others belongings, traits, statuses and abilities. We possess this sin because of the world around us — there will always be people who we believe are prettier than us, have more money than us, are better at things than us. It is said that if you enter the gates of Hell due to the sin of Envy you will be put in freezing water for eternity.

Envy is linked with the dog and the color green

You read the last sentence and froze. Eyes scanning over your words one last time before your head shot up — turning towards the window where the brown dog was still sitting. The uneasy feeling in your stomach intensified when you looked at that dog. Stop y/n, you’re...you’re being paranoid. You put all your papers back into the folder you brought with you. Your hands felt clammy as you shoved it in your laptop bag and reached out to grab your laptop. You didn't know why you need to get out of the small cafe or why that damn dog was making you panic but you needed to leave.

You shoved your laptop into your bag and threw whatever was left on the small table in the bag as well. “Ma’am is everything okay?” The same shy girl from the counter was now standing in front of you. You froze, eyes wide as you realized how insane you must look. “I...I’m fine.” You watched her for a moment, the panicking feeling fading the longer you looked at her. What the fuck

“Ma’am are you sure…” her voice morphed into something deeper and you snapped out of your daze. Panic formed in you again — this time morphed into utter terror. “What the fuck are you?” You backed up a step, eyes roaming over the whole cafe only to realize it was now empty. “Your worst nightmare darling.” Her eyes shifted, her dark brown eyes turning pure black, enveloping the whites of her eyes as her skin grew paler.

You backed away from her...it slowly, your skin felt freezing and your hands shook. She wasn’t human, in no way was she human. But if she wasn’t human...what was she? Before you could really register it the cafe door opened and a man in a long dark brown leather coat walked in. There was a mask over his face and his dark hair was covering most of his eyes. The thing in front of whipped around to look at the man and an inhumane sound before speaking.

“Envy? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE.” Its voice ripped through the cafe and you jumped. “You knew from the beginning Lilith, i was sent to get her. Not you.” The creature — Lilith growled in response. “How am I supposed to trust the youngest of the Sins to come retrieve Satan’s daughter?” You froze… did she just call him...Envy? The Youngest Sin? I must be dreaming.

“You can trust the youngest sin because he has more power than you ever will Lilith. I can handle the girl just fine.” Lilith rolled her eyes and backed away from you, her demonic form shifting back into the shy barista girl you saw only moments before hand. “Sorry your highness, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Your highness? Daughter of Satan? What the hell… “don’t mind her y/n. We need to get going now. You see i was sent to retrieve you and bring you back to Hell with me. I can explain on the way, but were on a time crunch so you must come with me now.”

“What in the fuck are you talking about? You think I’m going to willingly  follow you two? What the hell are you…” the room around you begun to spun and you stumbled back a bit. “I’m sorry your highness, but this is for the best.” Envy moved towards you and you felt as if the air was being taken out of your lungs. “I...I don’t…” your voice was deep and slurred and your arms and legs felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. Envy reached you and picked you up bridal style — you had no energy to fight back but being in his embrace you felt oddly safe.

“Just sleep y/n you’ll be safe with us okay? I promise.” You nodded sleepily, eyes shutting against your will as darkness greeted you like an old friend.

[meghchowdhury]

cow and gate milk powder

Cow gate Powdered milk, also called milk powder, dried milk, or dry milk, is a manufactured dairy product made by evaporating milk to dryness. One purpose of drying milk is to preserve it; milk powder has a far longer shelf life than liquid milk and does not need to be refrigerated, due to its low moisture content. Another purpose is to reduce its bulk for the economy of transportation. Powdered milk and dairy products include such items as dry whole milk, nonfat (skimmed) dry milk, dry buttermilk, dry whey products and dry dairy blends. Many exported dairy products conform to standards laid out in Codex Alimentarius.

While Marco Polo wrote of Mongolian Tatar troops in the time of Kublai Khan who carried sun-dried skimmed milk as "a kind of paste", the first modern production process for dried milk was invented by the Russian doctor Osip Krichevsky in 1802. The first commercial production of dried milk was organized by the Russian chemist M. Dirchoff in 1832. In 1855, T. S. Grimwade took a patent on a dried milk procedure, though William Newton had patented a vacuum drying process as early as 1837.

In modern times, powdered milk is usually made by spray drying nonfat skimmed milk, whole milk, buttermilk or whey. Pasteurized milk is first concentrated in an evaporator to approximately 50 percent milk solids. The resulting concentrated milk is then sprayed into a heated chamber where the water almost instantly evaporates, leaving fine particles of powdered milk solids.

Alternatively, the milk can be dried by drum drying. Milk is applied as a thin film to the surface of a heated drum, and the dried milk solids are then scraped off. However, powdered milk made this way tends to have a cooked flavour, due to caramelization caused by greater heat exposure.

Another process is freeze drying, which preserves many nutrients in milk, compared to drum drying. The drying method and the heat treatment of the milk as it is processed alters the properties of the milk powder, such as its solubility in cold water, its flavour, and its bulk density.

Powdered milk is frequently used in the manufacture of infant formula, confectionery such as chocolate and caramel candy, and in recipes for baked goods where adding liquid milk would render the product too thin. Powdered milk is also widely used in various sweets such as the Indian milk balls known as gulab jamun and a popular Indian sweet delicacy (sprinkled with desiccated coconut) known as chum chum (made with skim milk powder). Many no-cook recipes that use nut butters use powdered milk to prevent the nut butter from turning liquid by absorbing the oil.

Powdered milk is also a common item in UN food aid supplies, fallout shelters, warehouses, and wherever fresh milk is not a viable option. It is widely used in many developing countries because of reduced transport and storage costs (reduced bulk and weight, no refrigerated vehicles). Like other dry foods, it is considered nonperishable and is favored by survivalists, hikers, and others requiring nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food.

Because of its resemblance to cocaine and other drugs, powdered milk is sometimes used in filmmaking as a non-toxic prop that may be insufflated

[thebearwitchproject]

Witch Lore of the Allegheny Moutains

This is the second in a collection of posts about Scot-Irish folklore in the Allegheny Mountains. All text comes from the article: “Folk-lore of the Mountain Whites of the Alleghenie” by J. Hampden Porter published in 1894.

                              Witch Lore from the Allegheny Mountains

Pure witchcraft is in a degenerate state; its spirit survives, power is wanting. Witches are now unprofitable companions, ask a great deal and from whom little can be obtained. They to have inadvertently stepped over their broomsticks, and to do at once deprives them of knowledge. Instead of flying up the chimney, where their caldrons hang, as formerly, they have to get through a knot-hole, or a little square aperture made beside door; and if these be stopped up and prayed over, egress becomes impossible. Likewise, a frog's foot drawn upon the entrance prevent witches from coming into a house, as also a broom laid across the threshold, or a horseshoe nailed upon the wall.

They still hear everything their enemies say against' them on Friday, but can no longer raise tempests, cause drought, or blast crops. Horses are ridden at night, and their manes tangled to serve the witches for stirrups. They kill cattle by shooting them with balls of hair, stunt the growth of children, make cows go dry, prevent the formation of butter and soap, and inflict a variety of personal injuries and domestic misfortunes. As a rule, this is all the average sorceress is capable of accomplishing. Occasionally, however, one becomes eminent for the possession of powers arising from an exceptionally close compact with Satan, and, as a "witch doctor" observed while expounding these matters, " Whatever God Almighty permits, the Devil can do." Thus health, life, and the laws of nature are at the command of these maleficent beings.

With regard to the first class, their spells may be easily broken. Anointing with lard and assafoetida will protect any horse from being hag-ridden, and maiden-hair given in their fodder makes dry cows give milk. On the other hand, if an ox is so seriously wounded with a hair ball that it is certain to die, it may be advisable to shoot it at once with one made of silver, as in that case the witch will be hit in the same place.

Silver worn in one's shoes, or, by preference, salt, averts the influences exerted by " overlooking." These abandoned old women all exercise the power of "evil eye," and salt is the best preventive of all its consequences known.

Bewitched milk, from which butter cannot be churned, must be burned; likewise the lye and grease that will not form soap.

When a spell has been cast upon a horse, press a red-hot iron ring upon his forehead.

If maiden-hair does not make cows that have gone dry through magical practices give milk, cut the tips of their ears and tails off and burn them.

The only way in which a witch can now escape burning herself is to borrow some article from the injured party. If she is known, boil some milk and stir it with a fork, while calling her name. This will compel her to come to the house. Any effectual counter charm has the same influence, and when one can discover and make use of it, the sorceress is in a great measure at your mercy; since whatever is done to an animal she has afflicted is done to her, and, being forced to reveal herself, her likeness may be taken, and the portrait or effigy shot with a silver bullet as before described.

Toads are often kept by witches instead of chickens, and their eggs are known from the fact that it is so difficult to break their shells. When these creatures are dilatory in laying, the witch switches them, and then for a time the toads become very prolific. Most frequently she keeps the reptiles in a hollow stump.

Measuring an infant, whose growth has been arrested, with an elastic cord that requires to be stretched in order to equal the child's length, will set it right again. If the spell be a wasting one, take three strings of similar or unlike colors, tie them to the front door or gate in such a manner that whenever either are opened there is some wear and tear of the cords. As use begins to tell upon them, vigor will recommence.

Some spells operate through their own energy - "per opera operato," if the Tridentine definition may be applied. Thus it can do mischief it was not intended to work.

A witch who kept poultry kneaded up some corn meal into dough for them, and said an incantation the while, which made the food potent to produce eggs. Her husband got hold of this by accident, baked and ate it, whereupon he lost the power of speech and could only cackle.

                                       Breaking a Witches Spell

An animal killed by witchcraft should be burnt, partly because that is the best and most effectual way of destroying things that are infected, and also for the reason that in more than one way this may be made to affect the witch; she can be fascinated or punished. One of the parties implicated related the effects of fire in the case of a Tennesseean sorceress who had done much harm. An incredulous and stupid person, such as exists in every community, borrowed a boiler from her and refused to return it. Then she came every night and danced on him till he nearly fainted. There was no doubt about this, because she permitted herself to be seen. Each day, also, one of his sheep reared up, gave two or three jumps, and fell dead. At length the "witch doctor" was called in, and he, being a pious man and a member of the church, advised his patient to try the effect of honesty and give back the boiler. This he did, but the witch laughed at him, and things went on as before. It was now evident that her machinations were prompted by malice, and not resorted to from a sense of justice, so the doctor directed him to eviscerate the next sheep that died, to do this alone, and in perfect silence. Moreover, on no account to lend or give away any article, however trifling its value, until the effect of his charm had been fully tried. Having taken out the lungs and heart, they were to be carried home, the kitchen cleared, and these organs laid upon a bed  of live embers. While procuring them, the witch's granddaughter, "a right smart shoot of a girl, training for a witch herself," saw what he was doing as she passed through his field, and, anticipating the result, ran home, saying that her " Granny " would shortly be ill. Such was indeed the case, for no sooner had the sheep's vitals been placed upon the coals than her shrieks alarmed the neighborhood. A crowd gathered that seems to have had some inkling of what was going on, for a committee of women inspected the sufferer by force, and found her breast completely charred. The spell was broken before fatal consequences ensued, and from that time the persecutions and losses which had persisted so long came to an end.

For the first post in this series on Allegheny Mountains folklore visit: Lycanthropy Lore of the Allegheny Mountains

[royalmamastots]

🇬🇧✈️ UK IMPORTED BABY FORMULA ✈️🇬🇧 Cow & Gate First infant milk is a nutritionally complete breastmilk substitute, suitable as the sole source of nutrition from birth and as part of a weaning diet from 6 months to 12 months. - Contains DHA (Omega-3)** **As required by the legislation for all infant formula. *Palm oil removed from the blend of oils in the recipe #baby #babyformula #babyshop #babyboutique #babyshower #weaning #babyledweaning #babyledeating #cowandgate #cowgate #breastmilksupplement #babynutrition #twfkaren #Kenya #london #uk #nairobi #karen #weatlands #kilimani #lavington #eastleigh #parklands #kiambu #mombasa #wedeliver #babyshopkenya #royalmamastots #royalmamasandtots (at The Waterfront Karen) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6M_Mmjc2i/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[successdigestonline]

Baby milk prices increase as cost of living crisis deepens even further

Baby milk prices increase as cost of living crisis deepens even further

HARD-pressed parents are being hit by increases in baby milk prices. Big-name suppliers have blamed the rising costs of production, transportation and storage. 1 Hard-pressed parents are being hit by increases in baby milk pricesCredit: Getty For instance, Aptamil Organic 1 First Infant Milk from Birth 800g rose from £12 to £13.50 early this month in Sainsbury’s. And Cow & Gate 1-2 Years Growing…

[clipping5]

Cow & Gate Creamy Porridge

Wellspring of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Calcium and Iron. Cow and Gate are enthusiastic with regards to assisting little ones with learning love great food. Our 4-6 months onwards cereals are a delicate method for acquainting your child with first preferences and smooth textures.Just add water. Wellspring of iron and calcium.  Cow & Gate Creamy Porridge

No additional sugar - contains normally happening sugars.You can utilize cows milk in cooking for little ones from a half year. Likewise a great elective porridge is Ready Brek. Much better worth and totally fine for minimal ones.Ragi is additionally wealthy in calcium and helps immensely in the improvement of bones. This is another justification for why you should remember the formula for your child's diet.Using the guidelines on the parcel as an aide, blend the porridge in with the milk or water. ... Mix in the child porridge and add enough of the milk or water to come to the ideal texture.

When initially starting the weaning system, it's ideal to begin with a totally smooth and liquidy surface like twofold cream. When your little one becomes acclimated to gulping, and taking spoonfuls of food, you can steadily present more knots, and a thicker consistency.To make the porridge basically add one section oats to two pieces of your children normal milk (bosom milk, equation or cows milk all turn out great) and delicately heat it in a pan, mixing routinely until the milk has absorbed.Doctors suggest delaying until a child is around a half year old to begin strong food varieties.  Cow & Gate Creamy Porridge

Beginning before 4 months isn't recommended.You can utilize any milk of your decision. Infants benefit from entire cows milk, bosom or equation until age 2 then, at that point, assuming they are eating great you can change to semi skimmed milk. Plant milks are very low in sustenance yet a limited quantity in food can be utilized from a half year and frequently gives a beautiful flavor.

[dateamonster]

A Little Bit of History

Once, there was a particular town in the midwest- nevermind the name for right now. It was founded as a cattle town in the 1800s and for years long after that was essentially what it remained. It was an old fashioned place, frozen in time it seemed; too far off the beaten path to reap the benefits of its more modern neighbors. Topographically it was a broad, flat slab of land freckled with fields and lakes and bordered by a circumambient sprawl of forest. The town itself was all aging farmhouses and stockyards. In the summers the tall grass browned and burned, in the winters there were frosts followed by floods that turned the ground to ankle-deep mud.

In the year 1946 there was an oil mining operation in a lot on the outskirts of town which ultimately proved fruitless, as not enough oil was recovered to even cover the cost of the project. The lot was left abandoned, machinery and all. Shortly after, the cows in town began falling ill with a mysterious bacterial infection. Slowly the town’s main source of income began to die.

Fast forward thirty years and the town’s population was decreased by more than half. The only people who remained were those who had too much pride or too few options to go anywhere else. Of them was a young agricultural scientist from a well known family. Thirty years after the untreatable infection that lay ruin to his town was unearthed, with a stroke of sudden genius this scientist developed a cure.

The treatment the scientist administered to the livestock not only made them resistant to the disease, it lengthened their lifespans, doubled their rate of reproduction, and most unusual and delightful of all, made the milk they produced uncommonly delicious and nutrient-rich. In honor of this miraculous discovery, the town was to be officially reopened as a dairy town. The scientist was hailed as a hero, a savior, though tragically he didn’t live to see the ceremony.

In the year 1979 the scientist’s house was burned to the ground in a terrible fire, him and his entire family- wife and two infant children, one of which was barely a week old- perished. At least that was the assumption. They were never seen again after that, but the wreckage was such that it was difficult to say. It was the first incident of such disastrous proportions and the local sheriff wasn’t really equipped to handle such an event. Still, the family had been beloved by all; there was no reason to believe the fire was anything but an accident, a cruel twist of fate. It was only after the fact that the rumors started.

The ceremony commenced on schedule, the only change being that it was now half memorial service as well, and to honor the work of the man who saved the town yet never got to see the full fruits of his labor, the town was renamed simply “Dairytown”.

And that appeared to be the end of it. Any whisperings that could disrespect the memory of the town savior were quickly silenced. Nobody mentioned how following the fire all official records of the departed family seemed to have disappeared- birth certificates, medical records, all of it. Nobody spoke of the peculiar and highly erratic looking notes that were later uncovered among the scientist’s belongings, the ones that read half like data and observations and half like the ramblings of someone recently woken from a nightmare. Nobody heeded the crazy ex-journalist who insisted with all his breath that he had seen something horrible in that hospital room where the hero’s second child was born, but was conveniently unable to provide any proof.

Not much had to be done to ward off such speculation. Everyone who got just a little too invested in such local mysteries usually vanished after not too long. Dairytown was thriving and yet the population continued to drop in sporadic dips and dives. But that didn’t matter. Things were finally looking up, no one wanted to spoil it.

In the year 1995 Dairytown opened its gates to a wave of curious tourists eager to visit the town that produced the world’s sweetest all-natural milk. It was the rainy season, worse than the town had seen in many years. Step off the path and the mud could pull you in near up to your knees. A person could get good and stuck if they weren’t careful. That must’ve been what happened, because those tourists didn’t come back. Nobody would so much as consider that something darker could be at play.

Dairytown’s special milk stopped being delivered as well. That, at least, was probably for the better.

[mybumpbirthandbeyond]

‘Sleep like a Baby’

I think when most people decide to have tiny humans, we all agree to sacrifice sleep. Say farewell to long lies and early nights - the time to go to bed will be dictated by your bundles of love and their feeding times. Some babies will be better sleepers than others, go to bed earlier than others etc. However, I don’t think couples realise (and by couples I really mean the mummy) that the lack of sleep starts well before the baby is here!

Two of the most useless pieces of advice you hear, and I have certainly been given, are sleep-related: ‘Make the most of the sleep now, because it will change once the baby is here,’ and ‘Sleep when they sleep.’

Inevitably as you get bigger and further on in your pregnancy, sleep becomes difficult. Unfortunately for some, the ‘morning’ sickness might be so bad in the 1st trimester, that that alone keeps you awake (thankfully that wasn’t my experience). I think I have mentioned, I got big (and I mean BIG) and fast. This meant my sleep was compromised pretty early in my pregnancy. The need to go to the toilet (maxed out at 4 times in a night late on!), the general uncomfortableness in trying to turn side to side, back pain, and those panicky moments when I woke up on my back (not allowed!), were enough to mean I was already experiencing a lack of sleep and the baby wasn’t even here yet! I used to find that I would have to move two or three times, just to roll from right to left side, and vice versa. I turned, lift myself and onto my back, then shuffled to my hip and eventually twisted onto my other side. Sometimes this alone would be so difficult, I ended up falling asleep halfway through, on my back. Personally, I don’t like sleeping on my back normally, but this isn’t allowed when you are pregnant. I think it’s something to do with blood flow to the baby and their heart rate. Cue waking up in a panic when I realised I had stopped halfway!! You also get pretty weird dreams when you’re pregnant (when you do eventually get some sleep), and I often found myself waking up just to reacquaint myself with reality. Women’s bodies are incredible, and I highly doubt the lack of the good stuff is a coincidence. I feel it’s the body’s way of teaching you to cope on less sleep, and get used to what will happen when the baby arrives. 

‘Sleep when they sleep.’

I brought this up at my Baby Massage class recently. Does anyone actually do this, and successfully?!!? Who came up with that? Clearly, someone who is not a parent!!! The reality is, newborn babies sleep lots - it’s how they grow and how they develop. But let’s be realistic - the sleeping when they sleep idea really only has some traction when maybe, (only maybe) you have family staying, or your partner is off on their parental leave. If you’re breastfeeding, forget it! The minute you lay your head down, someone will call up tentatively that the baby is showing cues for needing fed, or they’re already past the point of no return and are screaming for milk NOW! As time goes on, (even just in a few days), with so many visitors coming in and out, you find yourself strategically planning housework around your baby’s naps. Washing and sterilising bottles so you don’t run out at the crucial time, hoovering, feeding the dogs, and even just washing yourself and getting dressed (even if it is in joggies and a hoody!) Eating is also important (particularly if you are breastfeeding, but it’s important anyway obviously!) and it’s amazing how much planning goes in to cooking (if possible) and eating a meal between feeds. Quite often now as Cailean gets older, it’s more about keeping him happy and from losing his mind, so my husband and I end up doing a tag team - one eats rapidly while the other soothes until the person who has finished can take over. Talk about indigestion!! Then there are the days when he doesn’t nap, fights sleep like it’s armageddon, and I'm lucky to manage two meals a day, or to be eating before 9pm at night (which usually ends up being cereal).

Which brings me on nicely to Cailean’s sleep. I think I was possibly lulled into a false sense of security the night he was born. He fed and then slept from about 1/2am until just after 7am. Result!! Then it occurred to me, his stomach is no bigger than cherry so he doesn’t need as much right now. When our dayshift midwife came in, she advised she thought he was quite mucusy and that was causing him to feel full, hence why he wasn't that interested in feeding. The second night in the hospital, I have already mentioned was pretty difficult. Alex was on a reeling chair and Cailean would fall asleep at the breast, but scream when I tried to settle him in the bedside basket/fishbowl. I had zero sleep but thankfully, Alex did get some. 

Fast forward to our first few nights at home. Cailean would more or less feed every 3-4 hours and slept in his Moses basket next to my side of the bed. The difficulty I had, was the dreaded transfer from me once he had finished feeding (when I was still breastfeeding), to the Moses basket without waking him. He struggled to settle and we relented in giving him a dummy pretty early to help. We had all these great ideas of not giving him a dummy, but let’s face it, if it helps, do it!! Apart from anything else why is it such a bad thing?! Our midwives knew what they were talking about when they said he would need one, minutes after being born. It became exhausting for me to feed exclusively from the breast. With hindsight, it probably didn’t help that I was fighting off a massive infection which I had no idea about, but Cailean was just so hungry ALL THE TIME!!! I felt like I wasn’t producing enough for him. I know now, that the cluster feeding was his way of getting the breasts to produce enough for him when he needed it to grow, but I'll be honest, I was on the brink of an exhaustion-induced meltdown one night. We then decided we would give a bottle of formula at night to fill him up. My mum had done it with me, so we decided to give it a go. This was when we realised that Cailean struggled with reflux.

You usually find, that most babies don’t tend to need much winding when they’re breastfed. I think i even asked out loud - do I need to wind him after feeding him from the breast? The short answer is I don’t really know, so ask your midwife!! With formula, you absolutely do. This is when we discovered the reflux. Cailean would regularly (and by regularly, I mean at least once almost every feed) bring milk back up. Sometimes it was a stream, sometimes a dribble, and only once or twice was it projectile. Sometimes it was also partially digested - which is called posseting. Bit gross, but it comes out lumpy rather than just milk. 9 times out of 10, Cailean would almost immediately bring up whatever he had just drank when we winded him. We started winding three times during a feed, which has now reduced to two times - once during and once after he’s finished. Boy does he hate it!!! He screams the minute the bottle is taken from him - sure sign my boobs had no chance!!! Because of how often we were winding him, and how often he was being sick when we put him back down in his Moses basket, the night-time feed routine would consist of: nappy change, feed and about 30 minutes post-feed winding and trying to make sure he wasn’t going to be sick when we eventually put him back down.This, as you can imagine, added to the length of time we were up, and reduced the sleeping time between feeds. We tried to help each other out - one got the bottle ready, (initially of either formula or expressed milk) while the other changed and fed him. Then we would swap. Even though we took turns, the resentment you feel to your partner who has successfully dropped back off to sleep within minutes is real!! Probably because I would feel guilty for Alex, so would stay awake as long as possible to help with the settling after - not to mention the fact it was hard to fall asleep when the Moses basket was right next to me! There was a many a sick Moses basket sheet and a change during the night, but thankfully, Cailean always seemed to know to roll on his side to be sick and never did we have to worry about him choking (although we inevitably still worried).

As time went on, and we wanted to dress Cailean in more than just sleep suits, it became frustrating how many outfit changes there were - bibs, tops, muslins, trousers, the lot, were changed multiple times a day. We were lucky in that it didn't seem to adversely affect his weight, but it still wasn’t ideal. With the exception of the Anti-Reflux milk, we’ve tried everything. Anti-colic bottles (we found MAM to be the best, plus they’re self-sterilising so great for travelling!), infant Gaviscon, Carobel, tilting the Moses basket, changed milk, slow flow teats the list goes on! We tried to do one thing at a time in order to eliminate the problem. At first, we only used slow flow teats on our bottles. You’re advised to change the teats to faster flow once your baby has reached a certain age, however, given how greedy Cailean was, and how sicky, we stayed on the slowest flow teats (1) for ages. Even when we moved up a teat, we quickly went back down again, when the sickiness increased.

We then got him prescribed infant Gaviscon. One of Alex’s colleagues had sworn by it, so we thought it was worth a shot. It definitely helped initially, or at least improved the reflux. He did initially get a bit constipated with it, but his still eventually returned to normal once he had adjusted. 

Next, we switched milk. We had been on the Mamia formula from Aldi. All formulas are standard in terms of the ingredients - it’s the law. However, the quantity of the ingredients varies from brand to brand and the price varies quite a bit. Mamia is the cheapest, and then there’s the likes of Hipp, Cow & Gate etc, with Aptamil the most expensive. Wouldn’t you know, being my son, Cailean has a taste for the more expensive things in life - Aptamil turned out to agree with him more. The benefit of this though, is that Aptamil comes with ready made larger bottles, and mini bottles for when you’re out about. Really handy to have! This combination of Aptamil and Gaviscon seemed to work great. 

The problem persisted however, particularly when Cailean was taking more fluid ounces per feed. Each time we increased the volume, we had to increase gradually, so that every second feed was the larger amount, and never right before bed. This usually had to be introduced via the slow flow teat as well, just to be sure we minimised the reflux as much as possible. The time between feeds gradually increased as he took more, so that we are now 4 hours between feeds, with the exception of the last two, which are 3 hours apart.

Within the last few months, we have been prescribed Carobel by our health visitor, which is a milk thickener to make it harder for Cailean to bring it back up. We’ve hit the jackpot with this! We still give him the Gaviscon, as well as Carobel, but have had to move back to the faster flow teat (2), in order to allow for the milk to come out more easily. He has to work harder to get it, which is another reason he’s less sick - he can’t guzzle as easily!

You may wonder why I've strayed off the topic of sleep, and written about reflux. The thing is, they are so closely related that I couldn’t not mention it. The reflux inevitably makes Cailean more uncomfortable, and therefore more difficult to settle. That’s still the case now, even at 6 months’ old. He doesn’t nap during the day so well, and hours after a feed he can still be being sick and/or needing to burp. Somehow, the reflux doesn’t affect him so badly at night, but during the day it’s always been worse. It varies from feed to feed, but it can drive you mad - I get him dressed in a lovely outfit, and before I can get a bib on him, he’s puked and I have to change his whole outfit. Or at classes (especially Baby Sensory), he’ll lie on a mat and constantly be sick. Or he’ll be sick on me once I've got nice clothes on (including the day we had photos taken!!). In the early days, what made it worse was not knowing the cause. Thankfully, we seem to be in a better place with it, but as you can tell, it took some time to figure out the best way to tackle it.

Now I know this is not going to be a popular decision, and people may criticise me for it, but I would not be true to myself unless I stood by my decision. The NHS guidelines say that the baby should be in with the parents until they are 6 months old. That’s just it - these are guidelines and not the law. Every baby is different, and you do what’s right for you and your baby. I did and my son has been sleeping through the night since he was 10 weeks old. Does it seem like I'm gloating? Well, I'm not. I went through the sleep deprivation just like everyone else, and have had a horrendous recovery - I’m due some luck!! 

My husband and I always knew we wouldn’t be keeping Cailean in with us for 6 months. For one thing, I'm going back to work just after that (sob 😢). Trying to get him used to sleeping in his own room, as well as me going back to work, would be too unfair on him, and too damn hard on everyone. We spoke before he arrived about how long he would stay in our room. We agreed at least 4 weeks, but we would play it by ear. NHS guidelines are always changing - when I was born we had to sleep on our sides, we weren’t allowed on our fronts or backs. When my sister was born two years later, it was the back. They’ll no doubt change again if I have another child. The factors that led us to decide to put Cailean in his own room at 6 weeks were numerous. 

Cailean is a long baby. He kicks everywhere but (ironically), in the pool, and generally wriggles ridiculously. He hated the blanket being over his feet in the Moses basket. So much so, that we had to drape it over the end so it wasn’t weighing on his feet, but to make sure he was still warm. He didn’t like not having the space in the Moses basket the bigger he got. The noises he made kept me awake most of the night, straining for every sound and paranoid there was something wrong. We also have an excellent baby monitor. Angelcare have produced a video monitor that has night vision, a nightlight, a parent device that has the ability to speak to your baby, and most importantly, a sensor mat that detects the slightest movement, even breathing, from the cot. The sensor mat goes under the mattress, and movement is monitored by a beeping pendulum on the parent device. If no movement is detected, an alarm sounds on both the parent unit and the monitor. We ended up getting ours during a baby and toddler even in Asda, but they sell them in most places. One thing worth investing in for your baby (apart from the travel system/pram), is definitely a decent monitor. 

We also got Cailean used to his cot gradually. Each morning after his feed, and at night after his bath, we would put him in his nest in the cot when he was tiny, then without as he grew. We would put on the mobile and Ewan the Dream Sheep to entertain him while he was awake. At 6 weeks we took the decision to put him down for his bedtime in his cot and see how got on. We always put him on his back in his sleeping bag, feet at the bottom of the cot. Whether he stayed that way, was another matter, but he quickly got into the routine of just waking twice for a feed, then once, then 4 weeks later we were amazed when he slept the whole night - 10pm - 7am! Thinking it was a fluke, we couldn’t believe when it happened again and again, until it became routine and waking up earlier than 7am became unusual. 

I’m not entirely sure what people think when I tell them that. My health visitor actually said, you do what works for you, but I got the impression she didn’t really mean it when I told her he was in on his own, judging by her reaction! I should point out, that we have changed Health Visitor, but not for that reason and I will cover that in another post.

Invariably, new mums are both amazed I put him in on his own so early, but also, possibly even slightly envious. At the end of the day, I chose to do what suited me and my baby. Not everyone will be able to, or even want to do what I did, and that is absolutely fine - no judgments here! However it worked, and continues to work for us, and that’s what matters. I would never judge another parent for their sleep/feeding routine or for anything for that matter, as I firmly believe you do what works for you and your baby. Parents get enough unsolicited advice and judgment as it is - the least we can do is support each other, regardless of how differently we do things. You do you!

[royalmamastots]

Over 100 years of experience Nutritionally complete** Cow & Gate First infant milk is a breastmilk substitute. **As required by legislation for all infant milk, it is nutritionally complete and suitable as a sole source of nutrition from birth and as part of a weaning diet from 6 months to 12 months. Contains DHA (Omega-3)* *As required by the legislation for all infant formula UHT Sterilised. For information on Halal, visit our website. Packaged in a protective atmosphere. Green Dot #babymilk #milkformula #cowandgate #cowgate #twfkaren #royalmamastots #royalmamasntots #london #nairobi #kenya #import #UK 🇬🇧🇰🇪 (at The Waterfront Karen) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6JZd1jUaP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[m7-hacertanrikulu-blog]

Change of paradigm: Breastfeeding is the Norm and anything else is Less. *

*After some valuable exchange of thoughts and suggestions from one of my experienced supervisors, Annelies Allain, I’ve come to the decision to revise my latest entry to make myself clearer on the importance of a need in change of paradigm that confirms Breastfeeding is the Norm and anything else is Less. 

I keep getting asked why Penang (let me assure you it’s no vacation, just paradise) and where exactly I’m interning. I try to give an answer people can relate to but I usually end up getting funny looks telling me to let go of this “sophisticated/pretentious” attitude I’m often accused with and start talking human. 

Well, I start mentioning the Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which has become my Bible (Koran if you think it’s more appropriate) and I elaborate on the ICDC’s role as a whistle-blowing, “Big Brother Is Watching You” kinda organisation that tells companies and manufacturers of baby foods to abide by the rules: 

                    Sell your products - Don’t promote them!

Sometimes, I still get the vibe that my gibberish does not seem to convince people how marketing regulations match with my field of studies (Public Health Nutrition).  This is the point where I have no option than mentioning breastfeeding and this also the point where I get the attention of most people as they can all relate to breastfeeding in some way.

Some still feel uncomfortable, imagining or seeing a mother breastfeeding her child - it’s ok if you feel so but please try to change. 

However, there is a consensus across the world that breastfeeding is a good practice and the (biological) norm. When I say biological norm, I sincerely try to choose my next words very cautiously as I don’t want to be misunderstood or misinterpreted. It’s is important that we are all on the same page that the aim of the Code is not only to promote and to protect breastfeeding but it also aims to provide adequate information for the proper use of breastmilk substitutes. It ensures, moreover, that companies are hindered from influencing mothers’ decision to use infant formula and protect all infants - those that are breastfed and not breastfed- from misleading and unethical marketing.

Regarding ethical and unethical marketing, let’s see if you agree:

 Would you consider the following examples as ethical? 

The following example is a harmless brochure from Thailand. 

The picture is actually nice, one would think it promotes breastfeedig 

BUT when you open the folder, you see…

…how Nestlé physically separates the baby from the breast.

P.S.: This is an old example. Nestlé had to stop this practice after receiving complaints from ICDC!

                    How about the next example from Ethiopia?

A nurse in the neonatal section wears a uniform embroidered with (Model on the picture is Elsie-ICDC staff and colleague). The uniform does not only provide free advertising for Danone, it also is a medical endorsement of Danone’s products. Do you think mothers are influenced seeing a doctor endorsing Danone’s products? Do you think this creates a conflict of interest? 

I’ll talk about conflicts of interest in my next blog episode and also elaborate on how I had the chance to teach health workers from all over the world on the Scope and how I used this opportunity to network at the same time).           For now, I want you to try to understand what unethical marketing can cause.

Jan Bennink, the former Chairman of Dutch Numico (since acquired by French multinational Danone) surprised the Public Health World with his rather bold and FRANK statement saying 

     “Breastfeeding is the direct competitor of formula.”

Numico is a combination of three brand names - Nutricia, Milupa and Cow & Gate,  now owned by Danone, the second biggest baby food manufacturer. This short and clear statement is a clear admission that the industry is competing with breastfeeding.

This is why there is a movement stressing the importance of a change of paradigm confirming Breastfeeding is the Norm and everything else is LESS: 

Less nutritious

Less antibodies

Less sterile

Less bonding

Less expense 

and NO living substances

To make it clearer, let’s talk about the example of buying a new car: Most families will buy a car that is good enough, a normal car that will take them form A to B. Very few will think of getting the best, most luxurious car. 

Many women also think they don’t need to go for the very best. Many believe that formula is good enough. Hence, we should reassure them that breastfeeding is the norm, not a luxurious “best”. A change in paradigm. 

It is important to acknowledge that women do not have any obligation to breastfeed. It is their own body and their own decision to breastfeed or not to breastfeed, provided on the basis of objective information.

Breastfeeding is not an easy practice, it requires, without any doubt, a lot of support on different levels including support from immediate family, health workers, community and most importantly the government by introducing policies such as paid maternity leave, baby friendly hospitals, national regulations etc. 

It is no surprise that the industry keeps using the power of language to convince consumers about the similarity of formula to human breastmilk. A quick check on any baby food company will let you recognize that each one is just another wolf in sheep’s clothes, playing the good Samaritan to save babies. Every company will agree that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for babies and each of them will praise their efforts to invest in research to provide a good alternative…out of cow’s milk? Formula is made of cows’ milk. That’s good for calves but not for babies. Calling “Breastfeeding is Best” has offered companies to come up with the idea of providing “Something Good” or “Close to Best” in the first place. This is why we need a change of paradigm that confirms: Breastfeeding is the norm and everything else is less!

Hypothetically, if one says “Breastfeeding is best”, does this mean that “Bottle-feeding is less good? Would it help to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates?  

Let us travel back in time and see how bottle-feeding has been criticized in the past: 

In 1939, BC, (before the Code), Cicely Williams, presented her talk, “Milk and Murder” on bottle-baby deaths and condensed milk and said that “misguided propaganda on infant feeding should be punished as the most criminal form of sedition, and that those deaths should be regarded as murder.” 

In 1968, Dr. Derrick Jelliffe coined the term “commerciogenic malnutrition” to describe the impact of industry marketing practices on infant health. (This term has caught my deep interest and makes me very passionate to look closer at it in future!) 

In 1974, War on Want (waronwant.org), an anti-poverty charity based in London, published “The Baby Killer”, a report on infant malnutrition and promotion of artificial feeding in the Third World. Thereupon, a group of students in Switzerland (Third World Action Group) first translated “The Baby Killer” to “Nestlé Kills Babies” and published the translation.

As someone with a background in translation, I admit that this is rather a free, not quite accurate but definitely hell of a successful translation.

Nestlé, a Swiss company and biggest baby food manufacturer, was obviously not quite thrilled by being called a murderer and sued the group for libel.

Two years after hearings, the student group was found guilty of libel, but only for the title and while the students were given a small fine, Nestlé was warned by the judge to change its marketing practices. 

Has Nestlé changed? Well, remember the Nestlé boycott? It was launched just shortly after the Nestlé hearings in 1977 by INFACT (Infant Formula Action Coalition) in the US and is until today the longest worldwide boycott in history. So, has Nestlé changed? Clearly not enough AND the boycott is still going on.

Research has shown that low (exclusive) breastfeeding rates are caused, among others, by poor government policies, lack of support for mothers AND by aggressive and relentless marketing of the formula milk industry. 

Each year, the deaths of more than 800 000 children can be prevented through universal breastfeeding (Lancet, 2016). 

Bottle-feeding puts infants and mothers at many risks that breastfeeding could prevent. Here is a list of some risks that are associated with bottle-feeding: 

For infants and children:

Increased risk of asthma

Increased risk of allergy

Increased risk of acute respiratory disease

Increased risk of nutrient deficiencies

Increased risk of chronic diseases

Increased risk of diabetes

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Increased risk of obesity

Increased risk of side effects of environmental contaminants

Increased risk of mortality

 For mothers:

Increased risk of breast cancer

Increased risk of overweight

Increased risk of ovarian cancer

Increased risk of osteoporosis

Increased risk of maternal diabetes       

Increased risk of stress and anxiety

Source: Risks of Formula Feeding by Infact Canada, 2002 and also confirmed by Lancet Breastfeeding Series, 2016. 

In conclusion, if we say “Breastfeeding is best” it means bottle-feeding is never as good. Therefore, a change of paradigm is needed that confirms and emphasises Breastfeeding is the Norm and everything else is LESS. 

Have you ever heard of breast crawl - the instinct that babies are born with enabling them to move towards the mother’s nipple and attach to it, all by themselves? Check out the short video (it’s in Spanish but you will get the gist) and ENJOY.

                                          Babies Do Know Best. 

P.S.A BIG THANK YOU to those among you who read my last entry in the first place and then made the effort to send interesting materials to be verified as potential Code violations! Keep up the good work!!!

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Part two

the cows would be to his mood. That morning he had been particularly tense and on edge. He hadn’t wanted to fail, but in being as wound up as he’d been, he had set himself up for failure anyway. He was eight years old, and The cows had been so very large. People who did not work with the animals could not appreciate this in full without having seen them in person, and until that moment when he had faced them on his own, he had not truly accounted for it either. Their size had not been something he’d expected to bother him as badly at first. He had known they would be quite large; they had seemed even larger and more foreboding after he’d been told he would be learning to watch over them as part of his responsibilities to the household. However, Hed devoted his time to prepare himself for the task while the memsahib, the lady of the house, had called upon other English homes accompanied by a lady servant and her young daughter. He’d been allowed to practice on smaller animals like sheep and watch the other servants herd the animals into gated pastures. The shepherds had worked with the efficient grace of men well experienced in maintaining control of herds even larger than the seven his employers had owned. Watching them, he had envied their grace. His attempts to mimic their motions had been laughable at best. He had felt quite the fool for even attempting it. When the day had arrived, he had been grateful to learn he would be watched by an experienced servant who served under a lady friend of the madam. He'd been significantly less thankful to learn the man wouldn’t be assisting him. Instead, the goat’s role was to act as a judge for his on the job performance. Still, he was not be deterred. When they'd separated from their employers, he’d forced a smile and greeted the man who’s species was, given the shape of his horns and unique eye shape, what he assumed to be something from the Caprine family. He was most likely a type of goat. His greeting had either gone unnoticed or had been ignored. He’d had to work to keep the smile on his face and pretend this lack of respect meant nothing to him. It took more effort than it probably should have. He was a servant with a physical handicap. He was very familiar with the derision of others. Still, the rudeness towards him had been unwarranted. Common courtesy demanded that If he greeted someone of his rank, they were obligated to say something in return. Receiving no reply at all made him feel slighted. There were few things that he hated more than Someone internally attempting to make him feel smaller than he already was. He didn't want or need a parade; he wasn't an infant. He signed sending a glare at the back of the man’s head before wiping his face free of all negative emotion. He should have known it would be too much to ask for cordiality. Not even on such an important day. He just wanted a simple acknowledgment. It hurt to be ignored, especially by a fellow servant. The goat didn't outrank him by that much. Once he'd grown of age, they would nearly be social equals. Hed only spoke once, and that was to ask where the cows were held. He’d dutifully led the older man from that point on. “I assume you know how to direct the cows through the gate?” The man asked him once they had reached their destination. The tone was slow and bored. The older servant had thought this to be a waste of his time. “Yes sir” He didn't. Not really. However, he'd wanted to prove himself. It was unwise, but the other man’s attitude had made him forget himself. It had made him willing to go forward despite his worries and doubts about his own success. The man had nodded and had directed him to get to work as he released the cows. This had been a mistake. His earlier training had not been enough to truly prepare his child self from the panic stirring sight of the behooved giants coming straight for him. His time among them would later show him they were incredibly perceptive to the moods of their handlers, and looking back on that moment he knew his younger self must have stunk of fear. Upon taking one whiff of him, their response had been to do whatever they had wanted and contented themselves with defying him at every turn. People didn’t often talk about how rebellious cows were as a species. The image of gentle doe-eyed mothers innocently chewing grass with a calf prancing around her on joyous but ungainly legs populated the minds of the general public. That day hed learned the image was little more than an idealistic bold-faced lie. The species he had faced that day could not have been described as docile or motherly by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, he had faced wailing four-legged creatures of destruction and chaos. Somehow, In what he still considered an act of both extraordinary bravery and exceptional stupidity he had not turned tail and fled. Instead, he’d tried running off after them, ignoring the pain of using his bad paw to focus on trying desperately to shove the powerfully built animals into the coral that had been built for their use. They’d had not come quietly. They had made it understood in no uncertain terms that they’d had no intentions of surrendering to the scrawny tiger whelp that fate and circumstance had thrown into their path. Sadly, pushing and shoving at them with all the strength hed possessed had done little good. It had been like pushing against an angry and rebellious wall while also shoving his bad hand inside an angry hornet's nest. He may have been born with a bad paw, but he was small and quick and good on his feet. He had done well to avoid the many legs that kicked at and horns that thrust out at him that day, but when one of the cows stepped on his paw, the pain had driven him to his knees. Frustrated tears had run down his furry face as he watched the fence collapsed after all the abuse it had suffered. Hed tried angrily swiping the tears away from his face, but much like the cows, they had continued unimpeded by his desires. He had tried to get up again, hurt, but not yet beaten. Then he’d seen the man who had acted as judge and everything seemed to stop. The disaster had made him forget anyone had even been watching him and seeing someone; anyone nearby had been so jarring he had frozen in place, mind suddenly dead silent. Then the realization struck. This man had watched the fiasco from start to finish and had never once offered help. He had been content to watch him get injure and make an arse of himself. The shock of fury that seized him at that moment had been so strong his claws retracted on their own accord. He had wanted to hurt him. To show the man that he would not accept being made to look foolishly by anyone. Then he’d realized the likelihood of such a plan having any positive impacts on himself, and he had retracted them once more. Though anger had seethed at the man for not stepping in to help him, it had fizzled out quickly under the man’s gaze. The older man hadn’t said a thing to him, only stared down at his fallen form with a dismissive sniff as if to say ‘is that all you've got in you boy?’.The sting the dismissal brought to his pride brought out a fresh round of tears, and he covered his face willing himself with everything he was to stop crying. Objectively he had lived through moments that had made him feel worse about himself and his worth before this incident, but at that moment he would not have been able to recall the details. In that gaze, he was nothing, and it made him feel like nothing. By the time that he'd regained control of himself, the adult had then begun to gather up the cows. They hadn’t fallen in line immediately. Lungri’s pride had tried to grasp hold of what it could to save itself from dying a painful death. He strived to convince himself that there was something special about this particular group of cows that had made them impossible for him to maintain control of them, but his mind was too clever to fall for such a feeble attempt at self-deception. They wouldn’t have been so difficult to collect if he hadn't riled them up in the first place. Wanting to do something useful, he had limped to the servants quarters to fetch someone to fix the fence. Fortunately, the foot that had been stepped on hadn't seemed to have been broken, and he was able to retrieve his man quickly enough to watch the cow herder at work. The fence had been fixed, and the repairman had been long gone before the task had been completed. Quite a few cows had balked at the older man’s demands, not yet ready to return to confinement, but at the end of the day, he had successfully brought the mutineers back to their stables where he demonstrated(unnecessarily) how to milk the cows. Together they had collected the milk in several of the clean buckets rinsed and set aside for the task and together they'd made their way to the house to deliver the milk through the servants quarters. The other servant had taken roughly one-third of the proceeds, as had been agreed by their employers. The milk was poured into bottles the glassblower had made for safer storage. He'd nodded his thanks then had taken the bottles up with him while another servant took the rest of the milk to Lungri's mother to prepare it for whatever purposes the cook had in plan for it. They had entered the dining room of home together, and the older servant had moved to stand immovably behind his employers. Lungri had hastened to do the same. Neither had moved until the younger of the two had been dismissed by his mistress, and he had beat a respectful but grateful retreat. Staying with his employers was never an experience he had enjoyed. It was uncomfortable remaining in the presence of those who had ultimate power over him. There was little they could do to him that wasn’t deemed acceptable by the government, and they were both aware and enjoyed letting him(and the servants) know the power they held over those that were employed under them as well. Lingre had felt so mentally exhausted after the events of the day he had needed to lean on the wall to guide him to the servants dining room,