Breast milk helps sick kids

Royal City Record Now
By Christina Myers - Record Reporter
"Thirty years ago, a young child became very sick. He wasn't growing properly, was having gastrointestinal problems and couldn't eat or keep food down. Doctors at the then-B.C. Children's Hospital tried a number of interventions, but nothing worked. Finally, they decided to give the child breast milk - not from his own mother, since he was no longer an infant and her milk had long since stopped coming - but milk donated by another mother. The child began to thrive and and soon got better...."

Aidsmap | Short course AZT for breastfeeding mothers: warning of viral rebound when AZT stopped
Michael Carter, Monday, September 27, 2004
"The use of AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir) by mothers to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies lowers HIV viral load in breastmilk and reduces the risk of postnatal HIV transmission, according to a study published in the October 15th edition of The Journal of Infectious Diseases. However, the study also established that when women stop taking AZT prophylaxis there is a temporary burst in HIV replication in breast milk, increasing infant exposure to the virus and the risks of infection with HIV. Because of this fidning the investigators recommend that mothers should continue to take AZT prophylaxis as long as they breastfeed...."

Taking the breastfeeding challenge
September 24, 2004
Welcome to the Whistler Question!
By Tim Shoults
Reporter
"Squamish mothers have a chance to be part of a record-breaking event next weekend just by doing what comes naturally. On Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. mothers and babies at sites across Canada and the United States will compete to set the record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time. The winners of the competition will be the province, territory or state with the most babies participating as a percentage of the birth rate. To level the playing field between large and small, each site will be entered into one of four groups determined by birth rate. This event takes place as part of the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week in Canada. It is sponsored by the Quintessence Foundation, a non-profit group providing education to parents and professionals about breastfeeding...."

Nestlé announces R&D center closing
The New Milford Spectrum
September 24, 2004
By Lynda Wellman
and Mark Langlois
STAFF WRITERS
"The town of New Milford, still reeling from recent layoffs at Kimberly-Clark Corp., has been hit with another major job cut at the local Nestlé facility. Last week, Nestlé officials announced that their Food Service Beverage Systems Research and Development program in New Milford would be transferred to Marysville, Ohio, and to product technology centers in Switzerland. That corporate decision will affect 100 employees in New Milford. All told, the layoffs at Kimberly-Clark and Nestlé — for decades twin pillars of the local economy — mean that since late July about 425 employees at the two businesses have learned that their jobs are transferred, gone or soon to be gone.
"

In the lap of luxury / Enterprising bachelor markets a pillow for nursing moms
Pia Sarkar, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, September 23, 2004
"The person who created a pillow to give women support while breastfeeding is not who you might expect. It is not a woman. It is not even a parent. It is a 39-year-old San Francisco bachelor who had never even picked up an infant until he created My Brest Friend. In the nine years since his product hit the market, Andrew Zenoff has sold more than 1 million My Brest Friends, which are available in several San Francisco hospitals, as well as at such retail chains as Wal-Mart, Babies R Us, and most recently, Pottery Barn Kids...."

New science to drive whey fractions market
23/09/2004
Foodproductiondaily.com
"More science is needed to encourage food and drink makers to invest in new formulations using third generation whey products, finds a new report that suggests more clinical trials and documentation could overcome this barrier to growth, reports Lindsey Partos. Representing about 3,100 tonnes in 2003, the small but high value-added whey fractions market - lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, colostrum/IgG, a-lactalbumin, b-lactoglobulin and glycomacropeptides - is currently enjoying strong growth, in some geographical areas hitting 20 per cent per year. Compared to other dairy ingredients, whey and its various fractions hold some of the most promising value for the food and dairy industries. With improved methods for extraction and purification, whey fractions can extend product development possibilities with new nutrition and functionality. “This is a game for the most advanced dairy ingredients companies, working with leading-edge end users,” Tage Affertsholt, an analyst at 3A Business Consulting said toFoodNavigator.com. And even though these advanced dairy ingredients firms are all working in the niche area of fractions, there are still specialists. In Europe Danish firm Arla leads in alpha-lactalbumin (largely used in infant formula), and Dutch firm DMV in lactoferrin, the increasingly popular meat preserver. French firm Armor Proteines, and Germany’s Milei are also carving a niche in the market. Strong on production, these dairy ingredients firms are taking their know-how to end-users further a field. “Some of the most advanced companies in production in Europe – such as Arla, DMV, Armor and Borculo Domo - are working with end users in other geographical zones,”explained Affertsholt. “Milei, for example, has an alliance with Japanese firm Morinaga.” Whey is comprised of protein, lactose (milk sugar), minerals (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) and fat. Whey protein contains alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, heavy and light - chain immunoglobulins(Igs), and proteose-peptones. Traditionally, whey was a by-product with a negative value from cheese production, but in the 1950s the US started to add value to the by-product and since this time the ingredient has seen a considerable rise in demand, notably on the back of the sports nutrition and functional food market which uses whey protein concentrates and isolates extensively. In 2002 consumption of all whey products came in at nearly 770,000 tonnes..."

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Breastfeeding right up for debate
"A backbench MSP has urged the Scottish Parliament to back new laws which would make it a criminal offence to stop women breastfeeding in public. Under Elaine Smith's bill, businesses and public organisations could be fined up to £2,500 if they stop women from breastfeeding on their premises. The proposal has the backing of Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm and Holyrood's health committee. The issue is to be debated in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday..."

Local companies make Working Mother's list
- 2004-09-21 - Business First of Columbus
LATEST NEWS
11:03 AM EDT Tuesday
"American Electric Power Company Inc., and several other notable Central Ohio employers, made Working Mother Magazine's list of the '100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.' AEP, a Columbus-based energy business, provides six weeks of paid leave for new mothers and financial assistance for adoptive parents, according to the magazine. It also offers 'flextime' and 'telecommuting.'...Other employers with Central Ohio operations that made the list are Lucent Technologies; JPMorgan Chase & Co., which recently bought Bank One Corp.; and Abbott Laboratories Inc., the parent company of Columbus-based Ross Products. Ross Products, which specializes in infant formula, provides moms access to a lactation consultant and use of a private lactation room."

OHIO HOSPITAL TO OPEN BREAST MILK BANK
by: Associated Press
"Grant Medical Center plans to open Ohio's first breast milk bank in Columbus by the end of the year.The Mothers' Milk Bank of Central Ohio will process, screen and distribute the milk. Besides helping premature babies, doctors say milk banks are also helpful for mothers trying to feed multiples, like twins or triplets. ..."

Geneva scheme offers hope for working mothers
Swiss news from swissinfo, the Swiss news platform
Friday 17.09.2004, CET 20:43
"When voters go to the polls on September 26, they will be deciding whether to introduce statutory paid maternity leave for working mothers across the country. Geneva is the only Swiss canton to offer such benefits and local officials say the system’s success proves that it could work nationwide.“On a cantonal level, the experience for workers and employers has been very positive,” said Pierre-Antoine Gobet, of Geneva’s Health and Social Services Department.
“Financially, politically and socially, it has proven very satisfactory,” he told swissinfo. “And ultimately, it is beneficial for both the mothers and children.”...
"

Even without supportive boss, new moms can breastfeed
SouthBendTribune.com
September 16, 2004
MICHIANA POINT OF VIEW
By GAIL DESOMER
"It's very true that women could use more support in the workplace in order to be more successful at providing breast milk for their babies. In nations where maternity leaves are longer, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates are longer. In the United States, Healthy People 2010 goals are for 75 percent of women to initiate breastfeeding, 50 percent of women to breast-feed until six months and 25 percent of women to breast-feed their children to one year of age. Area South Bend hospitals have initiation rates of around 70 percent, but to my knowledge duration rates are not tracked. In 2000, the U.S. breastfeeding rate was 64 percent with only 20 percent breastfeeding at six months and 16 percent breastfeeding at one year. Women do need support in the workplace, both in break time provided for them and a clean location to express their milk. Jennifer Butler (Voice of the People, Aug. 18) concludes because of these difficulties, many women will opt to formula-feed. She goes on to state that formula is as nourishing as breast milk. This statement could not be more false! Formula and breast milk are not equivalent and there are thousands of scientific studies that support the superiority of breast milk...."

Breastfeeding Not the Key to Quick Fat Loss
Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:21 AM ET
Health News Article | Reuters.com
By Charnicia E. Huggins
"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For new mothers trying to lose those extra pounds, breastfeeding may not be the surefire answer that many women consider it to be, according to two Cincinnati researchers. In their study, all women -- whether they breastfed or not -- lost body fat after giving birth. However, the moms who did not breastfeed lost weight quicker during the first six months after delivery than did breastfeeding mothers. 'It is important that women are aware that, although there are many advantages to breastfeeding, faster loss of the fat gained during pregnancy is not likely to be one of those advantages,' study author Dr. Karen S. Wosje, of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center told Reuters Health. Despite anecdotal evidence cited by some women, conflicting reports exist about the link between breastfeeding and postpartum weight loss. In one study, researchers reported greater weight loss among breastfeeding mothers up to 12 months after delivery in comparison to mothers who did not breastfeed. In another, no such association was found...."

Breastfeeding Protects Against Asthma, Allergy: "
Health News Article | Reuters.com
Tue Sep 14, 2004 02:19 PM ET
"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who are not exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of infancy have a higher risk of asthma and allergy, according to a report from Australia. Dr. Wendy H. Oddy, of the University of Western Australia, West Perth, and colleagues examined the association between breastfeeding, asthma and atopy -- a propensity to various allergies -- in 2195 children followed from birth to 6 years."
SOURCE: American Journal of Public Health, September 2004.

After baby, it's time to get back to grind
San Mateo County Times Online - Business News
Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 3:33:41 AM PST
Some new mothers have no choice, but it's still becomes quite a balancing act
By Amy Joyce, Washington Post
"WASHINGTON -- After her son was born 14 months ago, Denise Lane-White returned to her job as a patent attorney with a bit of trepidation, like many mothers who return from maternity leave. But also like many moms, she was looking forward to getting back to work, although she knew the transition would not be simple after 12 paid weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of vacation time. 'It was actually a little easier than I expected,' she said. 'I missed the intellectual stimulation of my job. I maybe also prepared myself for being totally devastated. I was sad, and I missed my baby during the day. But it wasn't the (all)-encompassing devastation I expected.' Lane-White returned to work on a Thursday. That way, she didn't have to dive into a full workweek without her baby. Her firm, Blank Rome LLP in Washington, offered her a quiet, private room to pump her breast milk during the day. But instead, she used her office so she could continue to work. Co-workers knew to stay clear when the 'meeting in progress' sign was taped to her closed door. She bought a mini refrigerator so she 'didn't have to put my breast milk next to people's moldy lunches,' she said...."

Natural birth no longer the norm in Canada
The Globe and Mail
A new study shows that three quarters of the nation's births involve surgical interventions, which may be overused in some regions and inaccessible in others, writes ANDRÉ PICARD
Friday, September 10, 2004 - Page A15
"When Gillian Brouse learned she was pregnant earlier this year, her obstetrician immediately suggested a scheduled cesarean section. Despite an earlier surgery to remove uterine fibroids, which placed her at higher risk of complications, she declined. When labour began last Friday, Ms. Brouse was again offered the option of a cesarean. She said no. But she was equipped with a fetal monitor and agreed to surgical induction, the breaking of her water, to speed up the birthing process. Two hours later, her daughter Cléo was born at the Ottawa Hospital. 'In the end, it was a short, uneventful labour,' Ms. Brouse said in an interview. Cléo's arrival into the world, surrounded by technology and omnipresent surgical options, was also typical. In fact, three in four births in Canada now involve some form of surgical intervention: C-sections, epidurals, forceps, vacuum extraction and episiotomies are all commonplace, according to a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information...." [This study is receiving a lot of attention in Canada, with regional news outlets reporting local statistics. André Picard has done a good job of hilighting the overall rate of intervention and questioning the wide regional variances in rates of intervention. What's missing are statistics on whether or not outcomes also vary by region, and a discussion of the costs of interventions. - JC]

Natural birth no longer the norm in Canada
The Globe and Mail
A new study shows that three quarters of the nation's births involve surgical interventions, which may be overused in some regions and inaccessible in others, writes ANDRÉ PICARD
Friday, September 10, 2004 - Page A15
"When Gillian Brouse learned she was pregnant earlier this year, her obstetrician immediately suggested a scheduled cesarean section. Despite an earlier surgery to remove uterine fibroids, which placed her at higher risk of complications, she declined. When labour began last Friday, Ms. Brouse was again offered the option of a cesarean. She said no. But she was equipped with a fetal monitor and agreed to surgical induction, the breaking of her water, to speed up the birthing process. Two hours later, her daughter Cléo was born at the Ottawa Hospital. 'In the end, it was a short, uneventful labour,' Ms. Brouse said in an interview. Cléo's arrival into the world, surrounded by technology and omnipresent surgical options, was also typical. In fact, three in four births in Canada now involve some form of surgical intervention: C-sections, epidurals, forceps, vacuum extraction and episiotomies are all commonplace, according to a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information...." [This study is receiving a lot of attention in Canada, with regional news outlets reporting local statistics. André Picard has done a good job of hilighting the overall rate of intervention and questioning the wide regional variances in rates of intervention. What's missing are statistics on whether or not outcomes also vary by region, and a discussion of the costs of interventions. - JC]

Martek Comments on FDA Announcement of Cardiovascular Qualified Health Claim for DHA
"Martek Comments on FDA Announcement of Cardiovascular Qualified Health Claim for DHA
Thursday September 9, 2:42 pm ET
"COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq:MATK - News) commented today on yesterday's FDA announcement allowing conventional foods and dietary supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to make a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease on their product packaging. The claim was, in part, a result of Martek's petition to the FDA in November of 2003. A qualified health claim must be supported by credible scientific evidence. Upon review of this scientific evidence, the FDA concluded that supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease...."

Herald.com | 09/07/2004 | Toddlers often overcome allergy to milk
Posted on Tue, Sep. 07, 2004
BY HOWARD COHEN
hcohen@herald.com
"The slogan ''Milk, it does a body good'' doesn't apply to everyone. At 1 month old, Grace Fleitas' baby Amanda began exhibiting the classic signs of a milk allergy: irritability, bloody stools, diarrhea. After initially being breast fed, Amanda was being fed infant formula. ''She was really cranky, always crying,'' the Hialeah mother said. Fleitas, who never suffered from a milk allergy, tried formulas for colicky babies. When that didn't help, she took Amanda to Dr. Robert E. Kramer, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami's Pediatric Gastroenterology division. Kramer put Amanda on EleCare, an amino-based infant pharmaceutical formula. After about six months, Amanda, now 18 months, can tolerate milk...."

KV Pharmaceutical Company Launches PrimaCare(R)ONE - First Prenatal Containing Essential Fatty Acids to Offer One Dose Convenience
Tuesday September 7, 8:07 am ET
Launch of PrimaCare(R)ONE Expands Ther-Rx's Continuum of Care for Women and Strengthens Leadership Position in Prescription Prenatals
"ST. LOUIS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- KV Pharmaceutical Company (NYSE: KVa/KVb) announced today that its Ther-Rx Corporation branded pharmaceutical subsidiary has launched PrimaCare®ONE. PrimaCare®ONE is a proprietary line extension to Ther-Rx's PrimaCare® nutritional product, one of the fastest growing prescription prenatal products in the branded segment with 9.3% market share....PrimaCare®ONE is formulated to provide both prenatal and postnatal nutritional support for mothers and babies, and ongoing nutritional support for women throughout their childbearing years with the convenience of one- dose-per-day dosage form. The product further extends Ther-Rx's leadership in marketing innovative branded pharmaceuticals to women in their childbearing years as part of its PreCare® family prescription nutritional product line...."

Some Bus Drivers Ban Breastfeeding, Protesters Allege
LATimes.com
LOS ANGELES
August 31, 2004
"A group of protesters accused Metropolitan Transportation Authority drivers of breaking a state law that allows women to breastfeed in public and picketed Tuesday outside its downtown Los Angeles headquarters. MTA officials apologized for drivers who have asked women to stop breastfeeding, but said they have no policy that bans breastfeeding on buses or trains...."