formula problems

I'm sure you have all heard of the formula problems have Melmine in them. here is a ariticle from a Doctor about the options you can take if you can't breastfeed...

It is clear that feeding your baby artificial formula instead of breastfeeding triples their relative risk of death. A number of studies point to this fact. But now you have yet another brand new reason to be wary of feeding your baby manufactured, processed formula.
In its usual pro-industry fashion, the FDA has taken the stance that trace amounts of melamine, an industrial chemical, WILL be allowed in infant formulas sold in the U.S., despite the fact that they have no idea whatsoever as to what the “safe” level might be (i.e. how much of this dangerous chemical a baby can consume without it causing terminal kidney damage from the formation of insoluble plastic “stones”).
My guess is, it will require far less than they imagine.
And I surely would not take the fact that the U.S. contamination was due to the manufacturing process rather than intentional dilution as reassurance that the contamination levels are safe.
I’ve previously reported on the issue of melamine-tainted food products from China, and the potential health hazards of consuming this chemical. But there are still more questions than answers on this issue.

U.S. health officials have uncovered trace amounts of the chemical melamine in a sample of infant formula sold in the United States.
FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said. "There's no basis for concern because we're talking about trace levels that are so low ... that there's absolutely no risk."
Melamine-tainted formula in China has caused thousands of children to fall ill; several have died. The concentrations in China were as much as 2,500 parts per million — about 10,000 times greater than what the FDA found in the U.S.The FDA and other experts said the melamine contamination in U.S.-made formula had occurred during the manufacturing process, rather than intentionally as was done in Chinese production. The manufacturers insist their products are safe.
On November 28th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a new stance, stating it will allow trace amounts of melamine in infant formula. This partly reverses the agency's October assessment that it was safe to consume food and beverages with melamine levels below 2.5 parts per million, with the exception of infant formula. The FDA said at the time that it couldn't determine if there was a safe level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula.
Sources:
Reuters November 25, 2008
The Wall Street Journal November 29, 2008
CNN November 28, 2008
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Dr. Mercola's Comments:
It is clear that feeding your baby artificial formula instead of breastfeeding triples their relative risk of death. A number of studies point to this fact. But now you have yet another brand new reason to be wary of feeding your baby manufactured, processed formula.
In its usual pro-industry fashion, the FDA has taken the stance that trace amounts of melamine, an industrial chemical, WILL be allowed in infant formulas sold in the U.S., despite the fact that they have no idea whatsoever as to what the “safe” level might be (i.e. how much of this dangerous chemical a baby can consume without it causing terminal kidney damage from the formation of insoluble plastic “stones”).
My guess is, it will require far less than they imagine.
And I surely would not take the fact that the U.S. contamination was due to the manufacturing process rather than intentional dilution as reassurance that the contamination levels are safe.
I’ve previously reported on the issue of melamine-tainted food products from China, and the potential health hazards of consuming this chemical. But there are still more questions than answers on this issue.
I received much of the information below in an email from a reader in the U.K. There’s no telling where it originated (if the creator notifies me, I will gladly credit him or her for it), but I believe the information is valuable enough to share with everyone as it offers some practical guidance, and answers many common questions about this new health threat.

Question: What is Melamine?
Answer: It is an industrial chemical used in the production of melawares – a nearly indestructible, hard plastic. It’s also used in other household items like laminates and fertilizers.
Question: Why is Melamine added to milk powder?Answer: The most important nutrient in milk is protein. Melamine mimics this protein, so adding inexpensive melamine into the milk reduces the actual milk content required while still making the product appear to have the correct level of nutrients.
In a nutshell: it saves manufacturers lots of money.

By Marie Bishop, Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD
From Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly magazine of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Volume 6, Number 2, Pages 18-28.
The advice to make homemade baby formula as an alternative to commercial formula has been one of the most controversial positions taken by the Weston A. Price Foundation -- and also one that has elicited the most grateful praise.
While government officials and orthodox pediatricians are often appalled at the thought of a parent mixing up baby formula -- and one based on raw milk, no less -- the feedback we have received from parents has been extremely positive.
Some breastfeeding advocates have also criticized our stance, claiming that by providing a more healthy alternative to commercial formulas, we are discouraging breastfeeding. Make no mistake: the best food for baby is breastmilk from a healthy mother.
However, many situations call out for a good substitute: adopted and orphaned babies, babies born to mothers with serious health problems, and babies whose mothers do not have enough milk (a situation that does happen occasionally) deserve to receive something better than commercial formula.

The following information has been compiled by the authors over a period of several years and should cover most situations encountered by parents giving homemade formula to their babies.

HOMEMADE FORMULA RECIPES
Milk-Based Formula
Makes 36 ounces
Our milk-based formula takes account of the fact that human milk is richer in whey, lactose, vitamin C, niacin, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to cow's milk but leaner in casein (milk protein).
The addition of gelatin to cow's milk formula will make it more digestible for the infant. Use only truly expeller-expressed oils in the formula recipes, otherwise they may lack vitamin E.
The ideal milk for baby, if he cannot be breastfed, is clean, whole raw milk from old-fashioned cows, certified free of disease, that feed on green pasture. For sources of good-quality milk, see www.realmilk.com or contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose whole milk, preferably organic and unhomogenized, and culture it with a piima or kefir culture to restore enzymes (available from G.E.M. Cultures 707-964-2922).
2 cups whole milk, preferably unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See recipe for whey, below)
4 tablespoons lactose*
1 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis**
2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (not ultrapasteurized), more if you are using milk from Holstein cows
1 teaspoon regular dose cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil*
1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil*
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil*
2 teaspoons coconut oil*
2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes*
2 teaspoons gelatin*
1 7/8 cups filtered water
1/4 teaspoon acerola powder*
*Available from Radiant Life 888-593-8333
**Available from Natren 800-992-3323 or Radiant Life 888-593-8333
Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved. Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle*, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering water.
Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients well in a blender

Homemade Whey
Makes about 5 cups
Homemade whey is easy to make from good quality plain yoghurt, or from raw or cultured milk. You will need a large strainer that rests over a bowl. Line the strainer with a clean linen kitchen towel or several layers of cheesecloth.
If you are using yoghurt, place 2 quarts in the strainer lined with a tea towel. Cover with a plate and leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Place whey in clean glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
If you are using raw or cultured milk, place 2 quarts of the milk in a glass container and leave at room temperature for 2-4 days until the milk separates into curds and whey.
Pour into the strainer lined with a tea towel and cover with a plate. Leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Store in clean glass jars in the refrigerator.