SIDS = Antimony and Arsenic Poisoning?!?!

According to Dr. Jim Sprott of New Zealand, that is the case.  Rather than being due to second-hand smoke and lack of breastfeeding, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is actually caused by toxic nerve gas poisoning. 

These toxic gases are produced in baby's crib due to the interaction of common household fungus (having taken residence in the mattress) and the mattress' lovely flame retardant ingredients:  antimony, arsenic, and phosphorus. 

Studies have shown that SIDS is much more common with previously-used crib mattresses.  Babies born to single mothers have been found to have the highest rate of SIDS, Dr.Sprott states, due to accompanying economic issues that often require baby sleeping on a *very* used crib mattress.  Dr. Sprott has also found that each subsequent baby in any family (two parent or single mother) has a greater chance of SIDS due to the mattress being used for a prior baby or babies.

So what can we do to prevent SIDS?  Dr. Sprott makes a mattress cover called BabeSafe.  The BabeSafe mattress cover prevents SIDS-causing toxic nerve gas poisoning by enclosing the mattress in a gas-impermeable cover.  Additionally, the BabeSafe mattress cover is not capable of generating toxic nerve gas.

Dr. Sprott instructs to place and securely tuck a pure cotton flat blanket on top of the BabeSafe-covered mattress.  This blanket is then covered with a pure cotton fitted sheet followed by a pure cotton flat sheet.  A pure wool or pure cotton flat blanket is placed on top of the pure cotton flat sheet.  Baby will sleep between the pure cotton fitted sheet and the pure cotton flat sheet.

The Pure Baby (PB) has never slept in a crib, but we do have BabeSafe mattress covers for both our crib and our Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper.  Since PB is a co-sleeper (in our bed), we also have our king-sized bed covered with a BabeSafe alternative (since BabeSafe is only available for baby-sized beds).

Our oldest son was our only crib-sleeping baby, and we thankfully never experienced any SIDS-type issues.  (But I did always worry!)  He was, though, the first baby to use his new crib mattress - and according to Dr. Sprott, that put him in the lowest risk category.

Even so, our oldest son's testing at age four found him to have both high antimony and high arsenic.  That testing was done by our Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) doctor, in an effort to help our son heal from his autism spectrum disorder.  Our DAN! doctor instructed that we cover our son's mattress as well as eliminate all flame-retardant sleepwear (also containing antimony and arsenic).  After a few months of having a covered mattress and wearing only 100% cotton/non-flame-retardant sleepwear, both his antimony and arsenic levels diminished greatly.

School is Out

The Pure Baby's brothers are out of school! I'm so extremely happy to be done with all the carpool driving, and my older boy are super happy to be done with school :)

This week, we've made two visits to our local nature center, where The Pure Baby had tons of fun!

The Pure Baby Gets a Haircut!

The Pure Baby has a new haircut!  Despite the trauma, I successfully cut his hair Sunday evening on our deck.  He's a cutie :) 

THE NEW HAIRCUT:

HAIRCUT ON THE DECK:

THE PURE BABY'S NEW HAIRCUT:

Study Links Pesticides with Childhood ADHD

Just as I've been writing about The Feingold Diet, an interesting AP article by Carla K. Johnson appeared in my local newspaper.  A mainstream scientific study has found a link between pesticides and childhood ADHD.  The government health survey - based study looked at the one-time urine samples of 1139 children (ages 8 to 15) as well as interviews with the parents to determine the ADHD status of the children.

Although this link is not news to many parents, the study's mainstream backing is rare and is to be praised.

According to the article, experts say that research shows persuasive evidence that agricultural pesticides contribute to learning disorders.  Virginia Rauh of Columbia University says that the study should be taken seriously.

Maryse Bouchard of the University of Montreal says that people can limit pesticide exposure by eating organic produce.  A government report has found the highest concentrations of pesticides in three items:  frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, and celery. 

Yes, those are the frozen blueberries that are highly touted for their antioxidant properties.  So, there are many people eating non-organic frozen blueberries, in an effort to be healthy.  Instead, they are sadly loading their bodies with pesticides.

A 2008 Emory University study found that when children switched to organic produce, the levels of pesticides in their urine dropped to almost zero.  So, there is definitely hope.  I actually know of a mom of a child with autism who says that their most successful invention for their son has been making his diet 100% organic.

This kind of information linking pesticides to health problems is hard for some people to hear.  My dad worked in pesticide legislation for most of his career, and he just cannot accept information showing that pesticides may be harmful.  At the same time, I wonder if somehow I was negatively effected by my dad's pro-pesticide stance, possibly leading to at least part of why our oldest son is on the autism spectrum.

Surprising Differences in Kids' Foods and Products: The 1940s Versus Today

Pictured:  The Pure Baby's brothers enjoy an organic, healthy snack with a sweet friend :)

Common Childhood Foods and Products of the 1940s and of Today

The 1940s                                                  

White toothpaste
Oatmeal
Corn Flakes
Toast with butter and jam
Real cocoa
Real whipped cream
Cod Liver Oil
White powder or non-flavored liquid medicine
Sample School Lunch:
- meatloaf
- fresh mashed potatoes
- vegetable
- milk
- cupcake made from scratch
Sample school beverage:  water from the drinking fountain
Candy at school a few times a year, for class parties

Today:

Multi-colored toothpaste with sparkles
Instant Oatmeal (often with surprising ingredients)
Froot Loops, Trix, Fruity Pebbles, etc.
Pop Tarts
Cocoa made with artificial colors and flavors
Cool Whip
Flintstone vitamins with artificial colors and flavors
Bright pink bubble-gum flavored chewable or liquid medicine
Sample School Lunch:
 - Highly processed foods with many artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
 - No vegetable
 - Chocolate milk with artificial flavors
Sample School Beverage:  Sodas consisting of artificial colors, artificial flavors, caffeine, aspartame, etc.
Candy, consisting of artificial colors and flavors, given out frequently by the teachers

A Super Comment from Another Feingold Mom!

<<< Our oldest son, after being on The Feingold Diet for two months.  No more splotchy red cheeks!


I previously wrote that our oldest son has been on The Feingold Diet  (http://www.feingold.org/)  since age 4.  A reader wrote that her son has also been on The Feingold Diet since age 4.  And guess how old he is now?  He is 38 years old!

I was so happy to hear about her 38-year-old Feingold son :)  I've heard SO many people tell me that our oldest son will quit The Feingold Diet when he grows up.  Our early therapists said that while The Feingold Diet may work *now*, our son will rebel from his Diet as a teen.  Often, this has been said while implying that what our son really needs is the almighty psychiatric medications, rather than some "unproven" diet.

As with my reader, my mom actually learned of The Feingold Diet about 35 years ago.  At that time, my family lived in Northern California and belonged to Kaiser Permanente's health plan.  Dr. Ben Feingold was a practitioner with Northern California's Kaiser Permanente, and it seems that Kaiser Permanente members had the great opportunity of being the first to learn about The Feingold Diet.  My mom even has her notes from Dr. Feingold's seminar :)

The Feingold Diet: What is Eliminated?

The Feingold Diet removes the following from one's diet:

• Food Dyes (also known as food colors, synthetic colors, artificial colors, coal tar dyes, FD&C colors, etc.),
• Artificial Flavorings (including vanillin - synthetic vanilla),
• Four preservatives:  BHA, BHT, TBHQ, and Sodium Benzoate,
• Aspartame (an artificial sweeter),
• Aspirin (and medications which contain aspirin), and
• Foods which contain Natural Salicylates (removed in Stage One only).

Here is a list of foods which contain Natural Salicylates (removed in Stage One only):

• Almonds,
• Apples,
• Apricots,
• All berries,
• Cherries,
• Cloves,
• Coffee,
• Cucumbers and pickles,
• Currants,
• Grapes and raisins,
• Nectarines,
• Oranges,
• Peaches,
• Peppers (bell and chili),
• Plums and prunes,
• Tangerines,
• Tea,
• Tomatoes, and
• Oil of wintergreen.

The list may look a little scary, but it is actually much easier than it appears.

When you buy The Feingold Association membership materials, you will receive all that you need to make The Feingold Diet easy and simple.  The Foodlist and Shopping Guide allows The Feingold Association to hold your hand while you shop at your supermarket :)

You will find a great many of the Feingold-acceptable foods at your neighborhood supermarket, though you will probably want to shop at a natural foods market (such as Whole Foods Market) on occasion - to obtain some of the natural products such as Wellshire Farms hot dogs.

Above, you may notice that I made a reference to the Natural Salicylate being removed only in Stage One.  Many children/people are able to add back to their diet, some or all of the Natural Salicylate.  Sometimes, it is possible to add back in a limited quantity - such as one orange a month, etc.

The Pure Baby's oldest brother has been on The Feingold Diet for seven years - and with tremendous positive results.  He is still on Stage One - meaning that he avoids all Natural Salicylates.  In the beginning, we tried to add back some Natural Salicylates, but we were never successful.  Due to the unhappiness brought to all of us (due to behaviors) by our oldest son consuming Natural Salicylates, he has not trialed any Natural Salicylates for the latter years of his Diet.

Symptoms Commonly Helped by THE FEINGOLD DIET

The Pure Baby is sweetly napping in my arms, so I will take a moment to share with you the symptoms that are commonly helped by The Feingold Diet.

Symptoms:

• Attention Deficits, Hyperactivity (ADD / ADHD)
• Asthma
• Autism, PDD, Aspergers
• Bedwetting
• Depression
• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Learning Disabilities
• Ear Infections
• Eczema, Hives (Urticaria)
• Eye Muscle Disorders, Strabismus, Nystagmus
• Headaches, Migraines
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Seizures
• Sleep Disorders, Nightmares, Night Terrors
• Speech Difficulties
• Tourette Syndrome
• Violence, aggression

Our oldest son has benefitted tremendously from The Feingold Diet, especially in the area of aggression.  At age four, he became a much happier little boy, who was able to have positive play time with his younger brother. Now, years later, he continues to benefit from The Feingold Diet, which is very evident when he has aggressive episodes due to Diet infractions.

A Diet to End AD(H)D and More!

Pictured below:  Our oldest son, at
age two, before The Feingold Diet -
with a salicylate-caused rash on his face.

Wow, there is actually a diet that ends AD(H)D? A diet that ends many other conditions as well - including behavior issues, learning issues, and overall health issues?  A diet that even helps dramatically with conditions on the autism spectrum?

We have first-hand experience with this impressive diet - The Feingold Diet.  Our oldest son has been on The Feingold Diet for seven years - and we have happily seen tremendous benefits for him, especially relating to behavior.

I first read about The Feingold Diet in Mothering Magazine, about eight years ago.  At that time, I asked both our son's pediatrician and our son's psychologist (yes, he had a psychologist at age three!) for their opinions of The Feingold Diet.  They both said the same things:  doesn't work, a waste of time, and unhealthy.

The psychologist instead said that "One-Two-Three Magic" was what our son needed - not a silly diet.  Additionally, she referred our son to a psychiatrist - to talk about psychiatric medication for a three-year-old.  Soon after this, my husband got a job in another state, allowing us to find new doctors.  Our son's psychologist kindly referred him to a developmental pediatrician at a major children's hospital in our new city.  Thankully for us, our son's new developmental pediatrician prescribed The Feingold Diet for our son!  (Probably not quite what our son's psychologist was anticipating!)

The Feingold Diet was originally known for treating AD(H)D, but now it has been shown to treat so much more!  For our son, his big gains with The Feingold Diet have been behavioral.  Most of all, The Feingold Diet greatly diminished his aggression.

There is much more to say about The Feingold Diet.  In upcoming posts, I will talk about The Feingold Diet in great detail, including: 
(1) Symptoms that may be helped by The Feingold Diet,
(2) What The Feingold Diet eliminates and why, and
(3) Why The Feingold Diet is effective.
Plus More!