Healthy Mama Homebase

Do Breastfeeding Moms Have a Stronger Connection to Their Babies?

2011-06-21T07:00:00.001-07:00

Like you needed another reason to breastfeed! A study in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found that mothers who breastfeed exclusively have a stronger bond with their child for the first few months of the baby’s life.

How was the study conducted? Scientists used MRIs to study the neurological responses of breastfeeding moms and formula moms to their baby’s cry. Breastfeeding moms showed greater activity in brain regions related to care-giving behavior and empathy than formula moms.

Great news for breastfeeding moms! But it’s important to note that this study only covered the first few months of life, and measured very specific neurological responses. Moms who can’t breastfeed or who supplement with formula can, of course, bond with their baby in other ways.

Increasing Your Milk Supply

2011-06-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

“How can I increase my breast milk supply?” It’s a question we hear from breastfeeding moms all the time.
You may feel like you’re not producing enough, ever. Or your baby may be going through a growth spurt and suddenly seem hungrier than usual. Or you might be concerned about the drop in supply that can be triggered by a return to the workplace.
Don’t worry! Once you’ve taken the obvious steps—resting enough and eating well, talking to your doctor—there are a couple of clever ways you can coax your body into producing more milk:

Take Fenugreek. Fenugreek, a key ingredient in Mamatini, and has been shown to increase breast milk production by as much as 900%
Switch your birth control. Contraceptives containing estrogen—like birth-control pills and vaginal rings—can decrease milk production.
Milk production sometimes dips right before your period starts. Taking a calcium and magnesium supplement for those few days can help.
Use a good breast pump! Cheaper pumps can lose their effectiveness over time.
Pump or nurse at least every three hours, if possible.
When possible, pump immediately after nursing your baby. The added demand on your breasts will eventually lead to a greater milk supply.

And finally – relax! A rested and relaxed mind and body will produce a healthier milk supply for your baby.

Tina Fey Was “Depressed” Over Using Formula

2011-06-21T06:43:00.001-07:00

If you’ve had trouble producing enough milk, you’re not alone! Tina Fey has revealed in her new memoir, Bossypants, that she sunk into a “deep depression” in 2005 after giving up breastfeeding, and feeding formula to her daughter, Alice.

She says: “I chose to pump every two hours while watching the HBO series 'Entourage'. I was able to do this for seven weeks before running out of episodes and sinking into a deep depression.”

And after switching to formula, she says, “The baby was thriving. I was no longer feeling trapped, spending 30 out of every 90 minutes attached to a Williams-Sonoma Tit Juicer. But I still had an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. I had failed at something that was supposed to be natural.”

Fey says she also grew jealous of friends who succeeded at breastfeeding: “At a party where a friend was successfully nursing her little boy, I watched her husband produce a bottle of breast milk the size of a Big Gulp. It was more milk than I had produced in my whole seven weeks - I blame 'Entourage'.”

Fey makes it sound funny—who wouldn’t get depressed watching seven weeks of Entourage? But many mothers feel this sense of failure when faced with some of the challenges of breastfeeding. And while breast milk is best, it’s important to remember it isn’t the only option—as Fey points out, you can raise a healthy, “thriving” baby with formula, too. And if breastfeeding for longer is a priority for you, do your research and get the help you need to make it happen.

Have you felt frustrated by milk supply issues, or envied mothers who seemed “better” at breastfeeding? How did you deal with it? Let us know in the comments.

Would You Sell Your Breast Milk Online?

2011-06-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

Selling your breast milk on the internet sounds odd. But there are moms doing it! Sites like Only The Breast are like Craigslist for breast milk: moms put up listings categorized by the age of their baby (0-2 months, 2-6 months, 6-12 months), and either ship their milk to buyers or meet locally. Prices range from $1 to $2.50 per ounce, and at least one mom, interviewed by Wired, has been able to pay her bills by selling her milk. Most buyers are moms who need more milk for their babies, but there are also some adult male buyers (there is a special section on the site for moms “willing to sell breast milk to men”).

There are also donation-based sites, like Human Milk 4 Human Babies and Eats on Feets, that connect moms with an oversupply of breast milk to moms in need.

Donating your breast milk to one of these sites may seem less ethically questionable than selling it, but according to the FDA, neither option is medically safe: “When human milk is obtained directly from individuals or through the Internet, the donor is unlikely to have been adequately screened for infectious disease or contamination risk. In addition, it is not likely that the human milk has been collected, processed, tested, or stored in a way that reduces possible safety risks to the baby.”

The best option is donating to or buying from an established milk bank, like HMBANA.

Tell us: would you sell your breast milk?

Summer Salmon Salad

2010-07-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

Top NYC Chef and Nutritionist Amy Melms of Mmmunch guest blogs for Mamatini with a super summer salmon salad recipe!

Having a baby is one of the most monumental experiences in one’s life. It’s exciting, overwhelming, emotional and exhausting. As soon as they arrive, you’re focused on your new addition round the clock, non-stop.

But who’s taking care of you?

Most new moms are strapped for time and their diet is sometimes an afterthought. So here’s a quick, nutrish and delish recipe for salmon salad that is especially good for nursing moms. Salmon is a win-win because it is chock full of DHA crucial to baby’s nervous system and at the same time helpful in preventing postpartum depression.

I like to think of it as Mommy prozac.

Salmon Salad

2 cups of cooked flaked wild salmon (leftovers or you can use canned)

2 organic hard boiled eggs

1 diced red pepper

1 cucumber

1/3 cup onion

mayonnaise, mustard, nayonnaise

lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

any type of leafy green or fresh lettuce

In a large bowl gently mix salmon and eggs together. In another bowl mix pepper, cucumber, onion, mayo or mustard and salt and pepper. Pour over salmon mixture and add lemon juice and toss lightly. Serve over leafy greens or put it between two pieces of whole-grain bread.

(note: FDA guidelines say breastfeeding women should limit consumption of fish to 12 ounces per week due to mercury.)

- Amy Nelms Mmmunch

Stress Relief for Children

2010-07-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Did you know that children experience stress just as much as adults? Children as young as three years, can experience anxiety, fear, sadness, loss, etc., in connection with everyday occurrences around them. Today especially, our children pressured to compete and succeed intellectually and socially right from preschool. For this reason most children live in a state of constant stress. We, as adults are able to recognize our stress and seek outlets for stress relief, such as introspection, meditation, yoga, and prayer. But are we able to recognize stress in our children? Better yet, are we able to help our children learn to cope?

When we meditate, practice yoga, Qi Gung, or pray we are acknowledging a part of ourselves that needs replenishment in order to continue with life’s struggles. Children, being human, are no less in need of this replenishment than are adults. Children as young as three can be guided to learn more about themselves and find that solace that comes with self-awareness. Yes, children can learn to meditate for very short periods and practice mindfulness especially if they are given an opportunity to connect with nature.

A few minutes of quiet time outdoors before or after playing in the park or in the back yard suffices to bring a child’s internal compass to balance. It helps open the child up to the wonder of life which is very far removed from the daily societal pressures that we have created and live in, almost like mice on a wheel. One can also create a ritual of five to ten minutes of quiet time before bed to allow a child to ask and receive answers to questions that may be on his or her mind. These are very brief but extremely valuable moments for your child’s spirit. Try it and see the result for yourself!

Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze, MD

Pregnancy and Motion Sickness

2010-06-09T10:47:00.001-07:00

Q. I suddenly developed severe motion sickness during my pregnancy and it has continued even though my baby is now 3 months old. I never had motion sickness before and now I can’t ride in a car for long periods especially on winding roads.

A. Severe motion sickness may be caused by anemia, which can occur during and after pregnancy. You should have your doctor check your blood count. If you prove to be anemic, I would recommend a liquid iron supplement with folic acid and Vitamin B12. Most iron preparations tend to cause intestinal distress. I have found the liquid combination preparation sold by Integrative Therapeutics to be effective and well tolerated, and easily purchased on line. You should notice an improvement in your motion sickness as soon as your anemia is corrected.

Breastfeeding Questions

2010-05-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding Questions from PressClipTv on Vimeo.

Are you pregnant and wondering if you should breastfeed? There are so many breastfeeding questions that moms-to-be are faced with. Mamatini founder and mother of 3 Erica Duignan Minnihan talks about how you can get the answers to your breastfeeding questions, such as "how do I get breastfeeding help?", "how long should I breastfeed?", and "how can I get prepared to breastfeed for as long as I choose to?". Find the answers to these breastfeeding questions and more.

Fenugreek for Breastfeeding

2010-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Fenugreek For Breastfeeding from PressClipTv on Vimeo.

Have you ever wondered how you can increase your milk supply using fenugreek for breastfeeding? Mamatini founder and mother of 3 Erica Duignan Minnihan talks about how you can maintain your milk supply even in challenging conditions (like going back to work!) using fenugreek. This miracle spice can help increase milk supply by several times, making Fenugreek a key aid in breastfeeding. Learn how you can get the optimal amount of fenugreek for breastfeeding in just 2 bottles of delicious Mamatini each day.

Breastfeeding Tips

2010-05-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

Breast Feeding Tips from PressClipTv on Vimeo.

Check out this video from Mamatini founder and Mom of 3 Erica Duignan Minnihan containing breastfeeding tips for new moms and the secret to better, easier breastfeeding with Mamatini. Learn how you can use these little known breastfeeding tips to increase your milk supply and meet your breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding is vital to the health of you and your baby. Learn how to do it easier, better, and for longer with Mamatini.

Dry Eyes and Breastfeeding

2010-05-05T21:24:00.001-07:00

Q: I was wondering if other mothers have experienced dry eyes after pregnancy
and breast feeding. If so what have you done to treat it?

A: Dry eye syndrome following pregnancy is not as rare as you may think. It is often caused by the drop in estrogen that follows the delivery. Changes may occur in the mucus membranes of your eyes, and sometimes in the mouth, which persist beyond the immediate post-partum period. Do not despair of a cure. You can help yourself with a homeopathic remedy called Natrum Muriaticum 30C, which you can buy at most health food stores. You should put 3 pills under your tongue 3 times a day and let it dissolve. Do not take eat or drink anything, including water, for 15 minutes before and after each dose. I also recommend that you avoid coffee while taking a homeopathic remedy since coffe tend to antidote the remedy. But you can drink tea of any kind. You should notice an improvement after a few weeks, at which point you can go to taking the remedy once a day or as needed. This problem may not necessarily occur with your next pregnancy. But you're worried, you can start taking the same remedy after your next delivery if you notice any signs of dryness at all. Homeopathic remedies are safe during pregnancy and lactation, and do not require a prescription.

Croupy Cough Cure

2010-04-27T10:12:00.001-07:00

Q. My four year old son gets frequent attacks of croup ever since he was a year old. I give him the cough medicines that the doctor prescribed but they don’t seem to help. He sometimes has a constant barking cough that drives him crazy. Now my two year old is following the same pattern. What can I do to help the cough?

A. It is possible that both your children have asthma or an allergy. Ask your doctor about testing for milk or dust allergy. You may also try eliminating cow’s milk products from their diet for about a month and see if the cough stays away. If you reintroduce milk products and the cough returns you will have your answer. But regardless of the cause of the cough, you can still give a natural remedy for croupy coughs in addition to what ever your doctor prescribes. You can buy Sambucus Nigra cough syrup made from elder berries, at any health food store, and give a teaspoon at bedtime. It will help with the cough and allow your child to sleep better. Sambucus Nigra will not interfere or react with any cough or asthma medicine your doctor prescribes and is quite safe for children as well as adults. Try it and see for yourself.

Breathe Deeply

2010-03-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

When you feel harried, the baby is crying, your toddler is tearing up the house or your boss is having a tantrum you find yourself feeling helpless, there is one thing you can do for yourself … breathe! When you’re stressed there is a tendency to hold your breath. Your heart speeds up and your blood pressure goes up. But worst of all is that your capillaries constrict and you don’t get adequate blood flow and oxygen to your skin and your face. So what happens? You age! This is one of the many ways that stress causes rapid aging. So what can you do? Think “Breathe” and take consciously take a very deep breath, as deeply as you can, and then breathe out slowly and completely. Then do it again and again. You’ll be surprised that the influx of oxygen to your brain suddenly brings calm and often the ability to think more clearly, besides the added benefit of relaxation of your facial muscles and a glow to your skin.

Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze, MD

Your Child Reflects You

2010-03-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know that your connection to your child is much deeper than a physical heredity of the DNA? The connection between you and your baby is physical, emotional and spiritual already before birth and into the first few years of life. You must have noticed that when you are stressed, anxious, angry or depressed, your baby does not sleep as well and often cries for no apparent reason. That is because your mood, emotions and thoughts affect your baby or your young child.

Once you know, this it helps to look at what is going on with you that you may not be consciously aware of when your child is irritable or moody for no good reason. Taking the time to work through your own angst will often bring immediate relief to your child. Try it and see for yourself how well and quickly it works!

Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze, MD

The Doctor's Strong Bones Broth

2010-02-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Whether you are in your reproductive phase, breastfeeding, or menopausal you need calcium for your bones. While there are all kinds of Calcium supplements on the market, that claim to be easily absorbable, the reality is that most commercial calcium supplements do not readily get assimilated or easily turned into bone. For this reason the form of calcium best suited for assimilation and bone synthesis is, of course, bone.

Don’t throw all those chicken, beef or lamb bones left after a meal. Save them in the freezer until you have enough to make a pot of bone broth. You can also save all your vegetable ends, especially mushroom stems. Mushroom stems add a lot of flavor to the broth. Put the bones in a pot with enough water to cover them. Add your vegetable ends and some onion, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer on the lowest setting for at least two hours or more until you have a rich golden brown broth. Pass the broth through a fat separator to remove all the fat. Now you have a liquid that contains pure protein, no fat, and is very high in calcium. You can store it in small containers in the freezer and use it for all your cooking instead of water. Voila!

Is Breastfeeding Making Me Sweat?

2010-01-18T18:15:00.001-08:00

Q. Since I have been breastfeeding, I find that I am perspiring a lot more than I ever used to. Especially at night, and it’s embarrassing. Is there anything I can do for it?

A. Increased perspiration is normal while breastfeeding because of the increased hormones. Dressing comfortably with layers that you can easily shed helps. Especially when you have to look and be confident in the workplace. The homeopathic remedy, Sepia is very helpful for reducing perspiration due to hormonal shifts. You can find Sepia 30C at most health food stores. Take 3 pills and let them dissolve under your tongue once a day until you see a consistent improvement and then stop. After that you can take the remedy periodically as needed. In general, homeopathic remedies are taken under the tongue with no food or drink for about 15 minutes before and after the pills.

Ten Tips for New Breastfeeding Moms

2010-01-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

1. Be prepared! Some moms have a difficult time getting into the swing of breastfeeding. Being prepared will help you meet your breastfeeding goals, whether it's for 1 month, a year, or beyond!
2. Find a comfortable place to nurse. Having a comfy gliding chair and a nursing pillow can help alleviate the strain on your back and arms.
3. Have resources in place in case you need help. If you used a doula, arrange a follow up visit for nursing support. Or make an appointment with a lactation consultant to get one-on-one help with any challenges.
4. Drink enough fluids! Drinking 2 bottles of Mamatini each day will help keep you hydrated and support your body's ability to produce milk. Drink plenty of plain water as well whenever you feel thirsty.
5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. A glass of wine once in a while is fine, but overindulgence in either can interfere with your sleep patterns ability to nurse and can be harmful to your baby since these substances will be present in the breastmilk.
6. Maintain a healthy diet. Extreme calorie reduction can interfere with your body's ability to produce milk. A healthy diet and the herbs and micronutrients in Mamatini will stoke your metabolism naturally and allow you to lose weight while still producing sufficient milk for your baby.
7. Be prepared for the pump! If you know you need to return to work before you plan to wean your baby, practice pumping milk in the weeks before you need to return. Having a healthy supply of breastmilk will help you cope with getting used to pumping at the office and any supply issues the stress of returning to work might induce.
8. Nip sore nipples in the bud! Sore nipples can be a common complaint among new moms. Working with a certified lactation consultant from the start to help perfect your technique and baby's latch can help you avoid any tenderness or discomfort.
9. Enjoy this time with your baby. No matter how long you plan to breastfeed, it is one of the most unique and pleasurable bonding experiences you will have with your baby. Enjoy every minute of it!
10. Don't forget how important it is to your baby's health. A major motivator to stick with breastfeeding for the first year is to concentrate on the immeasurable health benefits your baby is getting from your milk. Keep focusing on the fact that you are giving your baby something that no one else in the world can ... milk that is custom designed by your body for your baby!

Help for Varicose Veins

2010-01-07T05:59:00.000-08:00

Q. Help! I am developing varicose veins since I had my twins. What can I do to make them go away or at least keep them from getting worse?

A. The most important factor is proper exercise to maintain the muscle tone in your legs and promote proper venous drainage. Regular yoga is one way to strengthen the muscle tone in your legs and improve the blood flow through your pelvis, since stagnation in the pelvis tends to be the biggest factor for varicose veins in women. In addition, you can get a homeopathic remedy, called Hammamelis Virginicus in any health food store that sells homeopathic remedies. Hammaelis Virginicus is excellent for venous congestion, as in varicose veins or hemorrhoids. You should get Hammamelis 30c and take 3 pills under your tongue 2 times a day. You may need to take it for several months to shrink your varicose veins, but you should begin to see some results after about 4 weeks of treatment. The same dosage and duration can be just as effective for hemorrhoids. And you don’t have to worry about safety for your baby, because like all homeopathic remedies, Hammamelis is safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze, MD

Mamatini Gets "5 Stars" and "Best of 2010"

2010-01-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Check out our 5 star review and most innovative of the year award from top lifestyle and nutrition site Basil & Spice.

Managing Teething Woes

2010-01-01T08:54:00.001-08:00

Q. My baby seems to be teething. He is so restless, won’t sleep at night, crying more than usual, and wanting to be held or to nurse all the time. I find myself giving him a lot of Tylenol and I would rather not. Is there anything natural that can help?

A. Yes, there is help besides Tylenol. You can get a homeopathic remedy from the health food store: Chamomilia 30c in little pellets or in liquid form. You administer it by placing 3 pellets or three drops in your baby’s mouth. Chamomilia can be given up to 4 times a day as needed. It helps calm a restless baby and induce sleep. In general a single dose at night is sufficient to relieve teething pain and help your baby go to sleep. The remedy Chamomilia is much more convenient and acts much faster to relieve your baby’s discomfort than trying to get your baby to drink Chamomile tea.

Dr. Ikenze, MD

Goodbye To Diaper Rash, Thrush, And Painful Nipples

2009-12-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

If you notice that your baby has a thick white coating inside his or her mouth or on her lips, it is probably thrush. Thrush is a caused by an overgrowth of yeast, also known as candida, in a baby’s mouth. Almost all breast-fed babies acquire a small amount of yeast from their mother’s skin. So a very light coating of white on the tongue is common and quite normal. But when the coating is extensive, feeding becomes uncomfortable and difficult for the baby. It often happens that yeast overgrowth in a baby’s mouth can in turn lead to yeast infection of the mother’s nipples causing painful cracks and redness. The yeast in the baby’s mouth can also colonize the baby’s gut and lead to gassiness and frequent or chronic diaper rash, since it comes through in the stool.

The usual medical treatment of thrush is to give the baby oral antifungal medication and to apply antifungal creams to the diaper area. This works for an isolated episode of thrush or diaper rash. But if you find yourself struggling with frequent diaper rash in your baby, or redness and cracking of your nipples, your baby probably has an overgrowth of Candida in his gut. And you probably do too! To eradicate recurrent thrush or diaper rash you will need to restore the normal bacterial balance in his gut, so that the good bacteria will naturally keep the yeast organisms from flourishing.

You can buy a liquid preparation that contains live Lactobacillus Acidophilus bacteria, also known as Probiotics, from any health food or drugstore. There are preparations of liquid Acidophilus made specifically for babies and young children, containing just the right amount of organisms for a baby’s gut, including that of a newborn. These bacteria are the good bacteria necessary for your baby’s gut to properly digest milk. It often happens that if your baby or you have received any antibiotics, the good bacteria in the gut are killed off and then the yeast takes up the space. So it is necessary to actively replace these bacteria. You can put a few drops of liquid Acidophilus directly on your baby’s tongue just before breastfeeding several times a day, or every time you nurse. Two or three drops of live liquid Acidophilus at each feeding is adequate to gradually restore the normal balance in your baby’s gut and say goodbye gassiness and to diaper rashes. If you are experiencing redness, itching or cracking of your nipples, you can also apply a few drops of the liquid Acidophilus to your nipples and air dry after each nursing, then apply breast cream over the Acidophilus. This makes for a more rapid healing and prevents recurrence so you can nurse your baby comfortably for longer.

Dr. Ikenze MD is certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a diplomate of the British Institute of Homeopathy

TOP 10 Reasons Breastfeed with Mamatini

2009-12-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

• Give your baby all the good antibodies for a healthy immune system from day one.
• Give your baby the foundation of a healthy digestive system and prevent the early development of allergies in your baby.
• Help your baby’s development by ensuring good levels of essential vitamins and minerals in your breast milk.
• Bond with your baby in that special way that is unique to you and your baby!
• Save time and energy. No need to fuss with mixing up or warming up formula, brewing herbal teas, etc
• Prevent the development of colic in your baby so you can get your beauty sleep!
• Burn off that pregnancy fat more quickly and efficiently by turning it into food for your baby.
• Restore your energy and the radiant vitality of your skin and hair more quickly with the help of the micronutrients in Mamatini
• Did you know that there is a lower incidence of breast and uterine fibroids in women who breastfeed?
• Best of all is just knowing, that you are giving your baby the very best by giving yourself the healthiest nutrition and vital support for your body.

Dr. Ikenze MD is certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a diplomate of the British Institute of Homeopathy.

Vaccinations - To Give Or Not To Give?

2009-11-23T11:44:00.001-08:00

Should I vaccinate my child or not? Is there mercury in the vaccine? Does my child really need all those vaccines? Do vaccines cause autism? What is the risk to my child if I don’t vaccinate him? These and other questions are raised by parents faced with having to navigate the increasingly complex array of vaccines recommended for their children, starting right at birth. Many families feel coerced by their pediatricians to vaccinate their children. They feel powerless to argue against the campaign for universal vaccination for as many diseases as possible.

20 years ago children were vaccinated against 7 common childhood illnesses: Polio, Diptheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Each one of these diseases was recognized to be likely to result in death, or significant long-term damage. In the case of rubella damage occurred in the womb if the mother became sick with rubella while pregnant. Since then more and more vaccines are constantly being added to the list of recommended vaccines. So that today a child must be vaccinated against 12 different diseases before school age. In addition to the diseases already mentioned, there are now required vaccinations against HIB and Pneumococcus, two bacteria that cause serious infections in young children; Chickenpox also know as Varicella; Hepatitis A and B; Rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhea in children; Meningococcus i.e. meningitis; HPV which is a virus that can cause abnormalities of the genital system. The last two vaccinations are recommended at adolesence. Some researchers even talk of developing vaccines against every form of illness and perhaps, giving one mega shot all at once. As it is now, most children have to received vaccine cocktails with multiple vaccines in one shot at each vaccination visit. This is ostensibly intended to reduce the cost of multiple doctor visits for vaccination, and also reduce the amount of painful injections for the child. But at what cost to the child?

As a pediatrician as well as a homeopathic physician, my policy is to give the parent the final say on which vaccinations to give to their child and when. While the state and medical associations have designed so called universal vaccination schedules that presumably apply to every child, it is important to know that these schedules vary from country to country and that they are not written in stone. I also explain to them the actual content and method of production of each vaccine; which contain live infectious agents, which do not, and again, which contain undesirable additives. Not all the vaccines are of equal importance for protecting a child’s health or of equal safety to the child’s health.

The basic idea of infecting a person with a small and weakened dose of a disease material in order to generate an immune response makes sense in general and cannot be argued with. However there are flaws in the manner in which vaccinations are carried out in order to achieve universal protection of the population while ignoring the immunological susceptibilities of the individual child. It is a known fact that in the event of an epidemic, not every child succumbs to illness and of those who succumb, only a certain number actually expire. One could say the immune systems of those who succumb or expire were already weak at the time of infection compared to the other children. In the event of mass vaccination, it can be extrapolated that those same children would be more likely to suffer vaccine damage. Unfortunately many physicians do not give enough attention to the basic state of health of the child before administering a vaccination. Secondly, no one naturally ever suffers from six unrelated diseases all at the same time. Such a person would very quickly expire. So, why do we artificially infect our children with up to six disease agents at a time and not expect them to be adversely affected, if perhaps, only in the possibility that the immune system becomes overwhelmed or confused by being attacked on so many fronts at the same time.

It is my observation after 25 years of practice that the incidence of chronic respiratory disorders and autoimmune disorders is rising and may be related to the current vaccination practices. Having said that, I still maintain that the vaccines in themselves are safe when administered judiciously. When a person becomes naturally infected with a disease there is an initial incubation phase that may last days to weeks, then an acute phase of illness, followed by a convalescent phase. It is during the convalescent phase that the body manufactures the antibodies that will now protect it against that particular disease. This period of antibody production takes about 4 to 12 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks. Bearing this in mind, it makes sense to give the body adequate time to recover from a particular vaccination before administering the next. In this context, a one-month interval cannot be seen as anything but detrimental to the overall immunologic competence of a child’s body.

Based on these arguments, I usually suggest the following guidelines to my patients:

1. It is reasonable to request a vaccination schedule that is tailored to your particular child and still get all the necessary vaccines administered before the child is of school age.
2. It is best if there is an interval of about 3 months between vaccinations.
3. Avoid giving your child vaccine cocktails containing multiple bacterial and viral agents all at once. In general, try to limit vaccinations to no more than 3 related agents, and never give two unrelated viruses at the same time, e.g. do not give Hepatitis B and Measles-Mumps-Rubella all at the same time; or Hepatitis A and B at the same time; or Chicken Pox and MMR or Hepatitis at the same time etc. The Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine is a combination of three live viruses that require the entire attention of a young child’s immune system to deal adequately with them. For this reason it is safest to be sure that the child is at least 15 months old before administering the MMR and resist pressure to give this particular vaccine at 12 months old when the immune system is not quite as sturdy as at 15 or 18 months of age. Unfortunately the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines are no longer available as individual preparations. Separating the vaccines may mean more visits to the doctor and more actual injections, as well as increased cost. But it will reduce the likelihood of running into long-term vaccination related health problems.
4. Do not be persuaded to give a vaccination to a child who happens to be under the weather at the time, even if it is only a little sniffle. A child needs all his defenses in good working order to deal with each vaccination.
5. You can also give your child additional protection from the deleterious effects of a vaccination by giving him a constitutional homeopathic remedy chosen for your particular child based on his particular physical mental and emotional makeup. The constitutional remedy is given on the day before and the day of vaccination.

Following these guidelines has resulted over the years in an almost complete disappearance of vaccination reactions in my patient population. At this time the most frequent question I get is whether to vaccinate against the H1N1 virus. So far, those of my clients who have received the H1N1 have had only minor flu-like symptoms lasting about a day and have been fine. However I think the verdict must still be awaited concerning long-term protection and possible long-term side effects because viruses can remain dormant in the system for long periods. So, I still caution parents to avoid giving other vaccinations at the same time as the Influenza vaccine and whenver possible to give the child a constitutional remedy at the time of the vaccination.

Dr. Ikenze is certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a diplomate of the British Institute of Homeopathy.

Micronutrients What are they and what can they do for you?

2009-11-23T09:51:00.001-08:00

If you are struggling to return to your youthful pre-pregnancy weight and figure and having a difficult time with it, you are not alone. For many women this is one of the most confounding problems. On the one hand you want to lose weight, but on the other hand you are hungry all the time because you are breastfeeding a growing baby who depends on your to manufacture a wholesome milk containing all the nutrients essential for his or her physical and mental development. So, how can you get the best of both worlds and lose some of the pregnancy weight and regain lean body mass, while at the same time ensuring that your milk has an optimal nutritional content?

This is where the homeo-therapeutic micronutrients in Mamatini come in. These micronutrients are minerals that are delivered to the body in microscopic, almost immeasurable amounts, and in a form similar to their naturally occurring physiological state in the body. These extremely small amounts of minerals that are very important for proper cell metabolism are presented to the body in a form that is immediately absorbed and assimilated directly into the cells to balance and enhance the metabolism of every cell in the body.

Micro-minerals improve a sluggish metabolism. The result is, you find that your energy level is much better, allowing you to engage in more activity and exercise, and weight loss becomes much more effortless. But that is not the only benefit. These micronutrients stimulate and balance every cell in your body, and that includes the milk producing cells, ensuring a high concentration of valuable nutrients in the milk. So it’s a win-win situation for both you and your baby.