Thursday, November 7, 2013
life as lactation consultant
I was so excited when i cleared my International Board Certified Lactation Consultant exams.After my certification life has changed a lot as i have been the second IBCLC currently in Chennai. The knowledge of lactation consultant is a very new concept in chennai, as many health professionals are not known. But the awareness of it and the demand has gone up to great height.
Even though i was busy wandering here and there inside city i felt i am lost somewhere like doing my routine work were the implementation of it seems to be lesser than what expected. As days goes by Lactation Consultant has become to be like anyone who call themselves so but in practical in India there is no qualification required to be a Lactation Counsellor but not consultant. Because of the poor knowledge on the importance of IBCLC there are many Lactation Consultant in city without valid certification to be called so.. Lactation counsellor can be of anyone not required to be medical person itself.
Life has gone very dificult than what it to be expected as there is difference in the sayings and practice and ethical professionalism is also seen less. I waiting to get myself refreshed.
Monday, December 13, 2010
How Safe is Infant feeding bottle and caned foods?
By Sonya Lunder, MPH, Senior Analyst; Jane Houlihan, Vice President for Research, December 2007
Liquid infant formula from the top manufacturers is sold in cans lined with a toxic chemical linked to reproductive disorders and neurobehavioral problems in laboratory animals, according to an investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG). The chemical is almost as common in the packaging of powdered formula, with 4 of the top 5 companies acknowledging its use.
The chemical is bisphenol A, or BPA, a component of the plastic epoxy resins used to line metal food cans. Dozens of laboratory studies show that BPA affects the developing brain and reproductive systems of animals exposed to low doses during pregnancy and early life. BPA has recently raised concerns from 2 separate expert panels of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with 1 group of scientists warning that human exposures to BPA are already at or above the levels that harm animals and another expressing concern about impacts of BPA on infants' brains and behavior.
In October and November 2007, Environmental Working Group surveyed the 5 leading makers of baby formula sold in the U.S. to determine whether they use BPA in their packaging. We found:
* The makers of Nestlé, Similac, Enfamil and PBM (who make store-brand formulas sold at WalMart, Target, Kroger and dozens of other retailers) all said that they use BPA in the linings of metal cans holding liquid formula.
* BPA is widely used in powdered formula containers as well. Every manufacturer except Nestlé said it uses a BPA-based lining on the metal portions of their powdered formula cans. Nestlé failed to provide EWG with reliable documentation of their alternative packaging, and thus is not a clear improvement over other types.
* Powdered formulas are a better choice. Our calculations indicate that babies fed reconstituted powdered formula likely receive 8 to 20 times less BPA than those fed liquid formula from a metal can.
Liquid formula is of greatest concern, and its use could lead to high BPA exposures for babies. Recent studies documenting that BPA leaches out of plastic baby bottles prompted a run on glass bottles by concerned parents. But testing by EWG and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that under normal use, liquid formula itself could expose an infant to substantially more BPA than a plastic bottle. An August 2007 investigation by EWG estimated that at BPA levels found in ready-to-eat liquid formula, 1 of every 16 infants fed the formula would be exposed to the chemical at doses exceeding those that caused harm in laboratory studies.
The safest choice is clear: Breastfeed your baby whenever possible.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies’ bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals. However, there are many reasons why families rely on formula for some or all of their baby’s diet. Seventy percent of babies in the U.S. receive some formula by the time they are 3 months old. These babies need a safe and healthy source of food, and formula should be manufactured in a way that avoids contamination with harmful chemicals.
If your child is fed infant formula, you can reduce BPA exposure by choosing powdered formula.
Nestlé, makers of Good Start and Mam brands, repeatedly told EWG researchers that its powdered formula cans contain no BPA. Nestlé's emails to parents repeat this claim, but the company has failed to document this in writing or provide information on their alternative to EWG, despite our numerous requests to the company. In any case, EWG cannot recommend Nestlé baby formula due to the company's long history of ethically suspect infant formula marketing practices in the developing world. Nestlé's claim that it uses BPA-free packaging, if true, would be welcome news, because it suggests that other manufacturers could switch to safer packaging materials and reduce babies' BPA exposures.
Powdered formula sold by Enfamil and Similac are reduced-risk choices, because only the metal tops and bottoms of their packages – not the cardboard sides – are metal and lined with BPA-based plastic. Earth's Best Organic and PBM (which make dozens of store brands) are more of a concern: they are sold in an entirely metal can, which means the formula has more contact with a BPA-coated surface.
If you must choose liquid formula, look for types sold in plastic containers or purchase concentrated – not ready-to-eat – types.
If you buy liquid formulas, look for those sold in plastic containers. If you must use liquid formula sold in metal cans, choose concentrated rather than ready-to-eat formula. Both FDA and EWG have tested samples of liquid formula sold in cans and found BPA in every company’s formula. Choosing a formula that requires dilution with water reduces the amount of BPA in your baby’s diet.
If you don’t know whether your brand is packaged with BPA, ask – and demand a straight answer.
During our initial calls to formula manufacturers, we asked company representatives if their packaging contains BPA, if they test for BPA levels in their products, and if they would disclose their test results to EWG. Many of the companies had a prepared response – “We comply with all FDA regulations regarding BPA and formula” – so it was clear that concerned parents are asking about BPA in formula. We later sent an email, without mentioning EWG, to see whether the information they gave to parents was consistent with what they told us.
PBM, the manufacturer of store brands, told EWG researchers their containers have a BPA lining. However, PBM later sent an EWG staff member an email stating that their packaging contains no BPA. These conflicting claims raise serious doubts about the credibility of PBM’s consumer information on BPA.
Nestlé tells parents on the phone and by email that their powdered formulas have no contact with BPA. They repeatedly told EWG researchers the same thing over the phone, but failed to put their claims in writing, making it difficult to determine if Nestlé is really a better option for babies.
Ross-Abbot, the makers of Similac, is the only company that told us they tested for BPA in their products, and that they detected none. However, both EWG and the Food and Drug Administration have found BPA in Similac cans, raising questions about either Ross-Abbot’s candor or the sensitivity of their testing methods.
Liquid infant formula from the top manufacturers is sold in cans lined with a toxic chemical linked to reproductive disorders and neurobehavioral problems in laboratory animals, according to an investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG). The chemical is almost as common in the packaging of powdered formula, with 4 of the top 5 companies acknowledging its use.
The chemical is bisphenol A, or BPA, a component of the plastic epoxy resins used to line metal food cans. Dozens of laboratory studies show that BPA affects the developing brain and reproductive systems of animals exposed to low doses during pregnancy and early life. BPA has recently raised concerns from 2 separate expert panels of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with 1 group of scientists warning that human exposures to BPA are already at or above the levels that harm animals and another expressing concern about impacts of BPA on infants' brains and behavior.
In October and November 2007, Environmental Working Group surveyed the 5 leading makers of baby formula sold in the U.S. to determine whether they use BPA in their packaging. We found:
* The makers of Nestlé, Similac, Enfamil and PBM (who make store-brand formulas sold at WalMart, Target, Kroger and dozens of other retailers) all said that they use BPA in the linings of metal cans holding liquid formula.
* BPA is widely used in powdered formula containers as well. Every manufacturer except Nestlé said it uses a BPA-based lining on the metal portions of their powdered formula cans. Nestlé failed to provide EWG with reliable documentation of their alternative packaging, and thus is not a clear improvement over other types.
* Powdered formulas are a better choice. Our calculations indicate that babies fed reconstituted powdered formula likely receive 8 to 20 times less BPA than those fed liquid formula from a metal can.
Liquid formula is of greatest concern, and its use could lead to high BPA exposures for babies. Recent studies documenting that BPA leaches out of plastic baby bottles prompted a run on glass bottles by concerned parents. But testing by EWG and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that under normal use, liquid formula itself could expose an infant to substantially more BPA than a plastic bottle.
The safest choice is clear: Breastfeed your baby whenever possible.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies’ bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals. However, there are many reasons why families rely on formula for some or all of their baby’s diet. Seventy percent of babies in the U.S. receive some formula by the time they are 3 months old. These babies need a safe and healthy source of food, and formula should be manufactured in a way that avoids contamination with harmful chemicals.
If your child is fed infant formula, you can reduce BPA exposure by choosing powdered formula.
Nestlé, makers of Good Start and Mam brands, repeatedly told EWG researchers that its powdered formula cans contain no BPA. Nestlé's emails to parents repeat this claim, but the company has failed to document this in writing or provide information on their alternative to EWG, despite our numerous requests to the company. In any case, EWG cannot recommend Nestlé baby formula due to the company's long history of ethically suspect infant formula marketing practices in the developing world. Nestlé's claim that it uses BPA-free packaging, if true, would be welcome news, because it suggests that other manufacturers could switch to safer packaging materials and reduce babies' BPA exposures.
Powdered formula sold by Enfamil and Similac are reduced-risk choices, because only the metal tops and bottoms of their packages – not the cardboard sides – are metal and lined with BPA-based plastic. Earth's Best Organic and PBM (which make dozens of store brands) are more of a concern: they are sold in an entirely metal can, which means the formula has more contact with a BPA-coated surface.
If you must choose liquid formula, look for types sold in plastic containers or purchase concentrated – not ready-to-eat – types.
If you buy liquid formulas, look for those sold in plastic containers. If you must use liquid formula sold in metal cans, choose concentrated rather than ready-to-eat formula. Both FDA and EWG have tested samples of liquid formula sold in cans and found BPA in every company’s formula. Choosing a formula that requires dilution with water reduces the amount of BPA in your baby’s diet.
If you don’t know whether your brand is packaged with BPA, ask – and demand a straight answer.
During our initial calls to formula manufacturers, we asked company representatives if their packaging contains BPA, if they test for BPA levels in their products, and if they would disclose their test results to EWG. Many of the companies had a prepared response – “We comply with all FDA regulations regarding BPA and formula” – so it was clear that concerned parents are asking about BPA in formula. We later sent an email, without mentioning EWG, to see whether the information they gave to parents was consistent with what they told us.
PBM, the manufacturer of store brands, told EWG researchers their containers have a BPA lining. However, PBM later sent an EWG staff member an email stating that their packaging contains no BPA. These conflicting claims raise serious doubts about the credibility of PBM’s consumer information on BPA.
Nestlé tells parents on the phone and by email that their powdered formulas have no contact with BPA. They repeatedly told EWG researchers the same thing over the phone, but failed to put their claims in writing, making it difficult to determine if Nestlé is really a better option for babies.
Ross-Abbot, the makers of Similac, is the only company that told us they tested for BPA in their products, and that they detected none. However, both EWG and the Food and Drug Administration have found BPA in Similac cans, raising questions about either Ross-Abbot’s candor or the sensitivity of their testing methods.
Friday, July 30, 2010
DOCTOR'S OF THE MONTH-AUGUST
Prof. Dr.Rema Chandramohan
Addl Prof of Pediatrics.
Incharge of Child develoopment centre
Institute of Child health
Addl Prof of Pediatrics.
Incharge of Child develoopment centre
Institute of Child health
Thursday, July 8, 2010
DOCTORS OF THE MONTH -JULY
Dr.Karthik Gunasekaran is a Urogynecologist and Pelvic Reconstructive surgeon. He is one of the 5 Fellowship trained Urogynecologists in the country. Dr.Gunasekaran completed his masters in surgery from Madras medical college, Chennai. During his residency, he secured the coveted Urology gold medal. He trained in Female Urology at Govt kasturba Gandhi hospital, chennai before leaving abroad for his urogynecology fellowship.
Dr.Gunasekaran did his fellowship in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery from the Cleveland clinic foundation, Florida, USA, which is ranked among the top 5 educational institutions in the US. He also completed a Laparoscopic Pelvic surgery fellowship from Atlanta Urogynecology Associates, Atlanta, USA . He is the founder of the Indian Urogynecological Society and the Indian representative of the International Urogynecological association.
Dr.Gunasekaran did his fellowship in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery from the Cleveland clinic foundation, Florida, USA, which is ranked among the top 5 educational institutions in the US. He also completed a Laparoscopic Pelvic surgery fellowship from Atlanta Urogynecology Associates, Atlanta, USA . He is the founder of the Indian Urogynecological Society and the Indian representative of the International Urogynecological association.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
DOCTOR'S OF THE MONTH-JUNE
Dr.Bhavna S.Mehta MBBS., DGO
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in
Aditya Hospital,Guest Hospital,Dr.Mehta Hospital and Women Health care Centre
Dr.S.Subramanian completed his medical training (graduation and Post Graduation) from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. He has special interest in Neonatology (newborn care). He is
presently in-charge of the 15 bedded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St.Isabel hopsital..St.Isabels Hospital is one of the oldest maternity hopsital in Chennai. Presently around 2000 deliveries are conducted in the hospital every year making it one of the busiest private maternity units in Chennai. The newborn unit caters to a wide range of newborn problems which include transitional problems, prematurity, birth defects etc. Dr.Subramanian also has interest in areas like infant nutrition and breast feeding. This prompted him to start a MILC (mothers infants lactation and breast feeding centre) along with Dr.Padmini Balagopal, Lactation Consultant. The centre provides help to mother having problems in breast feeding their infants. In addition it also provides training to various health professionals on assisting for breast feeding. His other interest include Neuro-developmental follow-up which he does systematically at his centre on every saturday with the help of Mrs. Rashmi, Pediatric Physiotherapist
Friday, May 28, 2010
Doctor's Of the Month: JUNE
Our main aim is to be together while exchanging a common interest— Motherhood!
Please fill out your name and email address while asking your queries or while sharing your experiences as you may be lucky to be spotted as the winner of month to win exciting prizes. Congrats in Advance.
Please fill out your name and email address while asking your queries or while sharing your experiences as you may be lucky to be spotted as the winner of month to win exciting prizes. Congrats in Advance.
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