I can certainly understand the concern. However, these thickeners are NOT
being used casually, or for common "ailments" like the ubiquitous GER.
I have e mailed with the OP on this, the baby in question has been on an
NasoGastric tube for much of her 10 months of life. She has tried some of
these products, to allow the baby to eat by mouth, and the results were not
as successful as hoped.
Someone said: "To imply that thickeners pose little risk because the proteins
are removed is extremely misleading. Corn has become a very dangerous
commodity in our food supply"
I understand, however NOT being able to EAT or swallow, or being on an NG
tube for most of your life is also considered to have it's own risks.
This baby CANNOT swallow liquids. Her mother, from what I have been told by
the OP has been, so far given nearly exclusive human milk (Michelle can
correct me if I am wrong) via NG tube, and some of the commercial thickeners
have not been successful, perhaps due to being given via cup rather than
spoon. (But, I don't know if this is the entire reason.)
I posed the suggestion of making a "Jello" type food, using plain gelatin, from
the Pumped Milk (this baby cannot go to breast, and never has been able to
due to severe swallowing problems) and attempt that using a spoon.
These Thickeners are NOT to be used casually, nor should experiments, such
as attempting to "make yogurt" from Human Milk be used casually, without
SOME evidence based information. I still have reservations about bacterial
content, (but I am not the baby's LC) which, seeing as the Human Milk would
most likely NEED to be scalded to deactivate some enzymes, has a greater
chance to grow in the "culture" if the milk is left under 104 or so degree
warmth for 24 hours or more. This is NOT for a baby with GastroEsophageal
Reflux, but one with neurological damage from a brain bleed, which rendered
the baby unable to drink fluid.
I I have seen these thickening products used successfully in many children
with Sensory Issues, and seen few allergy problem. I didn't say "none" but
few. People HAVE to eat.
The alternative is, what? Mashed fruit? Mashed sweet potato? "Cereal?" None
of these are suitable for the main food for an infant. I think we can all agree
on this. Therefor, an EVIDENCE BASED way of slightly altering the Human Milk,
so it can be given safely to the baby is in order.
The concern here, as I understand it, is that the mother wants to continue to
give the baby her milk, but that the NG tube has been used for a very long
time and also working on the baby's swallowing skills is essential to her life. We
see terrible problems with Ridged Palate and even aggravated swallowing
problems from only a few WEEKS of NG usage, (thus most NICUs removing the
baby from the NG asap) but most of these babies ARE able to eventually co-
ordinate the suck swallow breathe rhythm. This baby cannot swallow liquids at
all.
I am hoping that between her LC and the OT they are working with, perhaps
the Gelatin idea may be a workable one.
This baby HAS to eat, and as Human Milk cannot be given in a "normal" way
(by breast, spoon, cup or even bottle) in it's regular state (liquid), something
has to be done. (The way I understand it.) IMO, experimenting is not what
this baby needs, but a solution which has been used with other babies,
children and adults and can be workable and sustainable for this child.
I applaud both this mother, her LC and OT, and the entire team they are
working with to find a solution to allow this baby to simply consume her
Mother's Milk in the least interventionist way. And, as I see it, (as well as the
mother and her LC, from what I can discern) continuing the NG tube isn't the
best solution.
I hope the gelatin solution works for her. Perhaps, after the baby gets used to
the spoon, other modifications can be made.
I am not sure about the "Ice Cream" idea. As far as I know at the Farm, the
Ice Cream was eaten by adults and children, but I don't think it was used as a
SOLE food source for infants. I know I would want my baby to have a warm
meal, even if she couldn't be at breast.
In this situation, there is no "perfect" solution. I hope one can be found that is
workable for the best of the baby and her mother.
All respects intended.
Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLL
Private Practice
On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:00:56 +0800, Shaughn Leach
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Thanks everyone for the information about thickeners.
>
>At present I am very concerned that those who deal with these products on a
>daily basis consider it 'harmless'. However to be fair, when babies have
>swallowing problems it would probably be rare for the mother to present to
>them exclusively breastfeeding so their understanding in this situation is
>limited I guess. I am still quite shocked though that the HPs who are
>recommending it to a mother don't actually know what they are made from
and
>any potential risk factors.
>
>Jennifer do you know anything about guar gum by any chance - it is possible
>this is used here rather than corn based thickeners?
>
>Many thanks again for the speedy replies!
>
>Shaughn Leach RM IBCLC DipT
>Perth, Western Australia
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Lactation Information and Discussion
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
>Sent: Tuesday, 24 June 2008 10:58 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: thickeners
>
>
>"Does anyone on Lactnet have information about the ingredients used in
>'thickeners'? Would like to know what is being introduced to a babies
>digestive system when used, if anyone has any ideas please.
>
>Shaughn Leach RM IBCLC DipT"
>
>
>Whenever a protein is "modified", the resultant product usually contains
>concerning amounts of
>free glutamic acid (MSG). If you look at AIM, you will see that the levels
>of free glutamic acid
>(which is a neurotoxin) are much higher in the hydrolized products than in
>the original products.
>To imply that thickeners pose little risk because the proteins are removed
>is extremely
>misleading. Corn has become a very dangerous commodity in our food supply,
>far from
>recognizable by our bodies as food. In my experience, a great many children
>"diagnosed" with
>feeding problems need structural work, long before anyone directs them
>toward GI and OT
>interventions.
>
>Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
>Intuitive Parenting Network LLC
>
>
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