The milk formula crisis really should be a wake-up call not only for US but also other developing countries with corporate working women.

How on earth the richest country in the world managed to get itself into such a situation is a complex question. While there are a number of factors at play, the simple answer to why so many American families are concerned is the corporate way of life and relying on pharma formulas.

When I see clients with lactation issues, there are different individual factors like stress, non bonding with baby, hormonal, cosmetic (myth) and many more.

I was shocked when a clients husband asked me whether his wife had breast cancer as she did not breast feed her kids beyond 8 months. People are not yet aware completely about lactation, weaning and their healthy effects on mothers and family.

Breastfeeding may be “natural” but it’s hardly easy for many women. That’s not something that we really talk about enough; Indeed during my earlier working days, I had gone through the similar situation when I used the breast pump to express the milk to store and my nanny feeding it to my kids.

Homoeopathy has a number of excellent medicines for lactation and breast issues. But that can’t curb the lack of infant milk formula. I will come up with the use of those in the next article.

Here I want to give out an excellent well proved Indian infant milk formula recipe.

Our ancient text ‘Kashyap Samhita’ mentions stages of baby’s life on basis of food the baby feeds on.

1. Kshirap Stage

This is approx from birth to 6 months of age when baby is only on milk (kshir). So the first six months baby should be strictly on milk. Mother’s milk is definitely the best source no doubt but in case mother is unable to feed the baby due to medical or other reasons then there are other sources of milk like cow, buffalo, goat, etc. Nowadays people depend on formula milk is also available.

2. Kshirannada Stage

This stage consists of milk and anna (solids) which is after 6 months of baby’s age and may last upto 18 to 24 months. During this time milk should still be baby’s main meal but other solids should also be introduced to her. At first start with liquid diet then the semisolids and lastly the solids. Foods like fruit juices, vegetable and lentil soups, porridge of ragi, wheat, suji, rice gruel and lastly soft and well-cooked rice.

3. Annada Stage

This stage is after 18 to 24 months when the baby is on solid food as main diet. This is the age when the baby starts all the vigorous physical and mental activities. The baby should be given all the cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits to be healthy. After the age of 2 years non-vegetarian food can be gradually introduced to the baby depending on the likes. Introducing different kinds of foods help to sensitise and customise them to develop immunity against allergies. Or else we have people saying my baby never had this food and he is allergic to it. Avoid excess or minimal feeding. Knowing right time, right amount  and consistency is important for digestive and metabolic reasons.

1. You will not get a lot of milk the minute you start breastfeeding and stressing about it worsens things. Colostrum is the first liquid produced for the first 2-4 days and looks clear or golden yellow. It is liquid gold, rich in nutrients, highly concentrated and full of protein – the perfect first food for your little angel. The key to a woman’s mental health during breastfeeding during the first few days is knowing that colostrum comes in small quantities naturally. It does not mean that enough milk is not being produced. Transitional milk then starts 2-5 days after delivery until two weeks, after which mature milk is produced.

2. Rooting is a natural reflex. It is turning the baby’s head towards the “root”. It helps the baby find the mother’s breast. But if the newborn hasn’t developed it yet, again, there is no need to stress; milk can be hand expressed to help guide their mouth to the nipple. Sucking reflex can also be triggered by gently stroking or touching the corners of their sweet little mouths with the nipple. Sucking is also a natural reflex, albeit different from rooting. When the roof of the mouth of the baby is stimulated, sucking comes in, allowing the baby to “feed”.

3. A myth ! Breastfeeding makes you hungry all the time! There are many myths regarding diet during breastfeeding, and while all advice may not be particularly wrong, it is best to consult a lactation specialist for proper guidance. Consuming a balanced diet which is rich in protein is ideal. And most importantly, hydration is everything! Since breast milk is composed of more than 80% water, replenishing the use of water in our bodies is critical to avoid getting dehydrated.

4. Every baby is different, and so is the time they take to breastfeed. While there are some general numbers to get an idea, these aren’t set in stone and aren’t the best way to judge whether milk supply is enough or not. A better method would be to check for a count of wet diapers. Newborns may nurse for 20 minutes or even longer on one or both breasts; some may need eight sessions and some 12 or even more.

 The power of pumping is vastly underestimated in breast milk production. Pumping after feeding empties the breasts making the body produce again to refill. Breast milk production follows a demand and supply method. The more the demand, the more the supply. If the baby is sick and may not feed that often, it helps maintain the supply. Manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps are the options available.

Whenever clients asked me about what to feed to infants when they couldn’t breast feed due to unavoidable reasons, I suggested this!

This Wheat Milk Recipe formula which is ancient Indian formula from rural India. I got to know about this formula from our family Ayurvedic Physician Dr.Gore who advised my mother who had deficient lactation along with jaundice when she had my baby brother. He explained her the process. My brother grew in to a chubby baby after having that. I have prescribed this nutritious formula to several hundreds of clients. Use and Test it yourself.

 You will happy when I tell you, this can be also made as desserts by adding fruits and nuts for adults and children.  

 The Indian grandmothers used this feeding formula. Its still practiced.

The Great Indian Wheat Milk Recipe formula:

Instructions:

Soak wheat (1 kg ) in water for 3 or 4 days replacing the water each day with fresh water. Don’t let the seeds germinate.

Let the wheat become soft and when you press it between two fingers the while milk comes out.

Grind the soaked wheat and drain it. Let the white residue with the drained water settle for 2 hrs.

Transfer the ground wheat paste to a cheese cloth/muslin cloth/ nut milk bag/white cloth/strainer over a wide bowl. Squeeze out as much milk as possible. If using a strainer, press it with a spoon to collect the milk.

Slowly remove the water and the white thick settled milk is either used fresh or  sun dried airproof packed.

The residue cake can be fed to any mammal or can be used as organic fertiliser. It is nutritious too.

Half a table spoon boiled with 1 glass of water and 2 spoons of milk (Optional if available) , a 100 mg jaggery to taste with 1 drop of ghee. Boil till it becomes as thick as mothers milk.  Keep stirring while cooking. Otherwise, it sticks to the bottom. Cook it until the porridge coats the spoon and looks shiny.

Adjust consistency by adding water. Warm it and feed your baby. You can add half a pinch of cardamom powder as a flavour in case of a baby over three months.

Ingredients

▢ Wheat milk powder dried or fresh- half spoon

▢ Water – 1 glass 250 ml

▢ Jaggery- 100 mg

▢ 2 spoons of milk (Optional if available)

▢ Ghee- One drop

Test feed and Adjust consistency as per requirement and digestibility.

One cup (241 grams) of cooked Wheat milk provides approximately:

Calories: 133

Protein: 4 grams

Fat: 0.5 grams

Carbs: 28 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Iron: 58% of the Daily Value (DV)

Niacin: 39% of the DV

Vitamin B6: 38% of the DV

Thiamine: 37% of the DV

Riboflavin: 33% of the DV

Folate: 33% of the DV

Selenium: 13% of the DV

Calcium: 11% of the DV

Copper: 11% of the DV

Wheat milk is particularly rich in iron, along with B vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and folate.

B vitamins are involved in many aspects of health, including energy production, brain function, and DNA synthesis

Wheat milk also contains selenium, a powerful micronutrient that doubles as an antioxidant to decrease inflammation and protect against disease.

Why fear the deprival and lack of milk formula. Use this and see the results for yourself!

Pic courtesy(Google)