Benefits of cod liver oil not an old wives tale
Clinnix, Wednesday, 15th January 2003

"Maybe your grandma was right about cod liver oil - research has shown that mothers who supplement their diet with cod liver oil while pregnant and breastfeeding are likely to have more intelligent children than mothers who don't take the supplement. The study, which is published in the online version of the journal Pediatrics, found that children whose mothers took cod liver oil while they were pregnant scored higher on mental tests at the age of four than children whose mothers had not taken the supplement. "

Mothers in Britain receive third lowest maternity pay in EU

By Matthew Beard

16 January 2003, The Independent


"Maternity pay in Britain is the third lowest in the European Union, a global study into state provision for new mothers reveals today....
The issue of state support for mothers is part of a drive to achieve a work-family balance being promoted by ministers. But sceptics claim the Government's family-friendly agenda is to highlight the working tax credit, child tax credit and better leave for parents planned for the Budget in April, eclipsing tax rises for the childless.

Karen Gadsden, 30 - 'I pleaded for an extra two weeks off'

In theory, Karen Gadsden, 30, had up to a year after the birth of her daughter, Cerys, to go back to her job as arts teacher at a west London school.

But she was forced by the family finances and cost of child care to drastically reduce the breastfeeding and go back to work. Her paid leave ran out after 18 weeks and, just as she was due to start at a school in Acton, her five-month-old daughter stopped eating. "I pleaded with the headmistress to give me another two weeks off [unpaid] and she agreed, probably because she has children of her own," said Ms Gadsden. "I eventually returned two days before the end of the summer term and was entitled to payment for the school holidays, which was lucky."

She returned part-time in September, dashing to the staff toilets between lessons to siphon off breast milk for use later. "I think it is hypocritical of the Government to promote the virtues of breast milk when the system doesn't make it realistic."

Study: New Moms Should Avoid Fries, Chips
Tue Jan 14, 6:12 PM ET,

By Ned Stafford ,

NUREMBERG (Reuters Health)
"Pregnant women and nursing mothers should sharply limit--or even cease--eating French fries, potato chips or other foods that contain the chemical acrylamide, according to study released Tuesday by German researchers.


The researchers said they issued the warning for pregnant women and nursing mothers because fetuses and newborn babies are particularly susceptible to the potential harmful effects of acrylamide, a possible carcinogen. The results of the study were to be broadcast nationwide Tuesday evening on a German television news program."

EnfaCare LIPIL Infant Formula Powder RecallNewsrelease: "EVANSVILLE, IND., January 9, 2003 -- Mead Johnson Nutritionals, in keeping with our commitment to provide safe and healthy nutritional products, is initiating a voluntary recall of 505 cases of EnfaCare LIPIL 12.9 ounce powdered infant formula. The cases and cans are coded BME01, with an expiration date of January 1, 2004 (embossed 1JAN04). This voluntary recall is being initiated because the product is contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii (E. sakazakii). E. sakazakii, commonly found in the environment, is a food-borne pathogen that can, in rare cases, cause sepsis (bacteria in the blood), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), or necrotizing enterocolitis (severe intestinal infection) in newborn infants, particularly premature infants, or infants with weakened immune systems." [Formula recalls happen all the time - see how often by looking at this google search result window.
Google Search: infant formula recall - JC]