This worrying news just hit the headlines. We know that breastfeeding is the most natural and best milk for the baby. And now, there is one more reason to stick to breastfeeding because experts found that the harmful chemicals in plastic baby bottles may harm our babies.

LOS ANGELES, April 15 (Xinhua) — A chemical in plastic packaging such as baby bottles might be harmful to the development of children’s brains and reproductive organs, a U.S. government report said Tuesday.

There is some concern about bisphenol A, or BPA for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children at current human exposures, said a report released by the National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

A lot of studies have been done and this is only one of the many news I found on the net regarding the danger hiding in plastic baby bottles.

The report said laboratory rodents exposed to BPA levels similar to human exposure developed precancerous lesions in the prostate and mammary glands. It noted the possibility that BPA may impact human development cannot be dismissed and more research is needed.

The federal institute is the first U.S. government agency to conclude that low levels of BPA could be harmful to humans, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Some scientists suspect that exposure to BPA early in life might disrupt hormones and induce gene mutation which increases risks for infants or children of developing breast or prostate cancer, premature female puberty, attention deficit disorders and other reproductive or neurological disorders later in life.

Please read the full news from Xinhua at this URL

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/16/content_7988756.htm

Sometimes, breastfed babies tend to poo more often. So, how do you know if your baby is experiencing loose stool or diarrhea or it is just normal?

Below is a question from one of the mom :

My son who is coming to 5 months now still passing motion almost at each feed. One day is about 5-6, sometimes 7 times. His weight gain is about 400-600gm per month for the last two months. Sometimes the stool is watery too. However, He is still active and happy as usual.

Should I continue to fully breastfeed him or supplement with solid or formula?

And I provided some ideas :

Definitely not supplement with formula! Have you checked with your paediatrician about this? He may want to know the colour of the stool, the consistency, whether it is pasty (like flour mixed with water), totally watery or is there some transparent, jellylike stool. These are all very important indications for doctors.

A food allergy can cause loose stool. Eg, the food you take may not agree with your baby’s digestive system. Is this a daily occurrence? Does your baby get tummy aches, bloated tummy etc? Is there a history of allergy in both you and your hubby’s family?

Your decision whether to start solid depends on your comfort level. Many of us start solid at 4 months (only rice flakes mixed with ebm). But many prefers to wait till 6 months. Starting solid may not solve the problem unless you know the reason. Best to check with your child’s paed, pick up the phone and ask. Otherwise, answer the above questions and write in detail. I will check this out with a paed for you.
_________________
Lilian (co-owner, moderator and mom of 5)

If my breastfed baby has no bowel movement for several days, should I be worried? Is my baby constipated?

The above is a common question asked by a lot of new mothers who breastfeed their babies.

Here is one question posted by a mom.

My Nina now is nursing fully, but it’s been 3 days since she’s moved her bowels. Is this something I should be worried about? I’m thinking of taking her to see my paed if she doesn’t do anything today. How long can a baby go without doing it? -Yat

And the other mothers who breastfeed their babies shared their own experiences :

Bowel – If Nina is not straining or looks uncomfortable, just sit and wait. You will be ‘rewarded’ with a big one soon. My son is also the same – sometimes poo about 7-9 times per day, then suddenly 3 days without bowel movement. All the moo-mies here will chorus – this is normal! if you are exclusively breast-feeding her. – Lilian

Not to worry! It’s normal for exclusively BFG babies do not pass the bowel very often. This is due to our super duper milk is almost 100% absorbed as nutrition by their body, thus not so much to be passed. At one time Wafiq (when he was 3 mths) did not do ‘bisnes’ for almost 10 days. Just minutes away before we went to see a paed, he gave us a surprise with long overdue bullet! – Fiz

There’s nothing to worry about. Joe Yue, now 3.5 months old, has been having bowel movement (since he turned 3 months)every 4 – 5 days. At first, I was worried like you too but after that I realised that it was normal. His paed said that there’s even a record of 11 days! As long as the poo-poo is not hard and pellet-like and your baby is not crying, it’s perfectly fine. – Christine

Tags: Breastfeeding, constipation