Maybe our breastmilk isn't so normal afterall?

[LouLou]

His head is gigantic - but this is only a "sign" if it is growing faster than the rest of his body. I will know more on this tomorrow when they can compare %iles. He was 95% since birth so probably a non-issue.
His head is higher in back than front (from side profile) but doesn't seem to have an open rear growth plate so might just be the shape of his head.
At 4 mo. he was barely bearing his own weight - better now but might still be behind the curve. Developmental or weak bones?
Slightly bow legged. I realize this is not uncommon for healthy children his age.

I'm really not worried or stressed. Just one more thing to check on. There are many signs that he does not have. In fact more than he does.

LOL the head thing my mom has always commented on - she's hinted that maybe he needs a brace to correct it - I thought she was crazy until I googled Rickets after I learned that he needed more Vit D. At least it's treatable and if it is an issue I'm already doing what I should be...giving Vit. D. sups.

I'll let you all know what the ped says. He sees the cf center in Jan. and we'll see if they want to repeat his Vit. D levels then.

Okay I seriously need to stop looking for issues with this kid - when I look for something and get to the bottom of it we make a "discovery" ... I guess some might say it's being a good mom swah!

 

[LouLou]

His head is gigantic - but this is only a "sign" if it is growing faster than the rest of his body. I will know more on this tomorrow when they can compare %iles. He was 95% since birth so probably a non-issue.
His head is higher in back than front (from side profile) but doesn't seem to have an open rear growth plate so might just be the shape of his head.
At 4 mo. he was barely bearing his own weight - better now but might still be behind the curve. Developmental or weak bones?
Slightly bow legged. I realize this is not uncommon for healthy children his age.

I'm really not worried or stressed. Just one more thing to check on. There are many signs that he does not have. In fact more than he does.

LOL the head thing my mom has always commented on - she's hinted that maybe he needs a brace to correct it - I thought she was crazy until I googled Rickets after I learned that he needed more Vit D. At least it's treatable and if it is an issue I'm already doing what I should be...giving Vit. D. sups.

I'll let you all know what the ped says. He sees the cf center in Jan. and we'll see if they want to repeat his Vit. D levels then.

Okay I seriously need to stop looking for issues with this kid - when I look for something and get to the bottom of it we make a "discovery" ... I guess some might say it's being a good mom swah!

 

[LouLou]

His head is gigantic - but this is only a "sign" if it is growing faster than the rest of his body. I will know more on this tomorrow when they can compare %iles. He was 95% since birth so probably a non-issue.
His head is higher in back than front (from side profile) but doesn't seem to have an open rear growth plate so might just be the shape of his head.
At 4 mo. he was barely bearing his own weight - better now but might still be behind the curve. Developmental or weak bones?
Slightly bow legged. I realize this is not uncommon for healthy children his age.

I'm really not worried or stressed. Just one more thing to check on. There are many signs that he does not have. In fact more than he does.

LOL the head thing my mom has always commented on - she's hinted that maybe he needs a brace to correct it - I thought she was crazy until I googled Rickets after I learned that he needed more Vit D. At least it's treatable and if it is an issue I'm already doing what I should be...giving Vit. D. sups.

I'll let you all know what the ped says. He sees the cf center in Jan. and we'll see if they want to repeat his Vit. D levels then.

Okay I seriously need to stop looking for issues with this kid - when I look for something and get to the bottom of it we make a "discovery" ... I guess some might say it's being a good mom swah!

 

[LouLou]

His head is gigantic - but this is only a "sign" if it is growing faster than the rest of his body. I will know more on this tomorrow when they can compare %iles. He was 95% since birth so probably a non-issue.
His head is higher in back than front (from side profile) but doesn't seem to have an open rear growth plate so might just be the shape of his head.
At 4 mo. he was barely bearing his own weight - better now but might still be behind the curve. Developmental or weak bones?
Slightly bow legged. I realize this is not uncommon for healthy children his age.

I'm really not worried or stressed. Just one more thing to check on. There are many signs that he does not have. In fact more than he does.

LOL the head thing my mom has always commented on - she's hinted that maybe he needs a brace to correct it - I thought she was crazy until I googled Rickets after I learned that he needed more Vit D. At least it's treatable and if it is an issue I'm already doing what I should be...giving Vit. D. sups.

I'll let you all know what the ped says. He sees the cf center in Jan. and we'll see if they want to repeat his Vit. D levels then.

Okay I seriously need to stop looking for issues with this kid - when I look for something and get to the bottom of it we make a "discovery" ... I guess some might say it's being a good mom swah!

 

[LouLou]

His head is gigantic - but this is only a "sign" if it is growing faster than the rest of his body. I will know more on this tomorrow when they can compare %iles. He was 95% since birth so probably a non-issue.
His head is higher in back than front (from side profile) but doesn't seem to have an open rear growth plate so might just be the shape of his head.
At 4 mo. he was barely bearing his own weight - better now but might still be behind the curve. Developmental or weak bones?
Slightly bow legged. I realize this is not uncommon for healthy children his age.

I'm really not worried or stressed. Just one more thing to check on. There are many signs that he does not have. In fact more than he does.

LOL the head thing my mom has always commented on - she's hinted that maybe he needs a brace to correct it - I thought she was crazy until I googled Rickets after I learned that he needed more Vit D. At least it's treatable and if it is an issue I'm already doing what I should be...giving Vit. D. sups.

I'll let you all know what the ped says. He sees the cf center in Jan. and we'll see if they want to repeat his Vit. D levels then.

Okay I seriously need to stop looking for issues with this kid - when I look for something and get to the bottom of it we make a "discovery" ... I guess some might say it's being a good mom swah!

 

[Keepercjr]

Laruen - I meant it as it is a huge conceptual leap to make and generalize it to the rest of the women w/ CF. I found a reference for you that says "Breast milk appears to be normal in women with CF, including normal ionic concentration levels and normal levels of available nutrients" from
Shiffman, ML, Seale, TW, Flux, M, et al Breast-milk composition in women with cystic fibrosis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49,612-617

I fully believe that breastmilk has the right amount of all its nutrients - even malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries make breastmilk that is as normal as "healthy" women living in developed countries. There is a reason it doesn't have much iron or D or what have you. Just like newborns are born with "low" vit K - its not because all newborns are deficient, it is the amount we're designed to have at birth. The average child will be getting exactly what he or she needs. Problems arise when the baby has medical issues or we live in climates that don't get a lot of sunlight or we use sunscreen or don't go outside.. It is entirely possible that even though Isaac is asymptomatic, he may require some extra minerals or vitamins than a "normal" baby. I am pancreatic sufficient yet I have, on occasion, shown to be low in protein when they do blood work. I'm not underweight and I have a healthy diet. I also require lots more magnesium than I can find in my diet alone. I think a lot of my magnesium need is from taking CF meds but looking back I realize that I've been magnesium deficient for a long time, since before I started taking any medication for CF.

 

[Keepercjr]

Laruen - I meant it as it is a huge conceptual leap to make and generalize it to the rest of the women w/ CF. I found a reference for you that says "Breast milk appears to be normal in women with CF, including normal ionic concentration levels and normal levels of available nutrients" from
Shiffman, ML, Seale, TW, Flux, M, et al Breast-milk composition in women with cystic fibrosis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49,612-617

I fully believe that breastmilk has the right amount of all its nutrients - even malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries make breastmilk that is as normal as "healthy" women living in developed countries. There is a reason it doesn't have much iron or D or what have you. Just like newborns are born with "low" vit K - its not because all newborns are deficient, it is the amount we're designed to have at birth. The average child will be getting exactly what he or she needs. Problems arise when the baby has medical issues or we live in climates that don't get a lot of sunlight or we use sunscreen or don't go outside.. It is entirely possible that even though Isaac is asymptomatic, he may require some extra minerals or vitamins than a "normal" baby. I am pancreatic sufficient yet I have, on occasion, shown to be low in protein when they do blood work. I'm not underweight and I have a healthy diet. I also require lots more magnesium than I can find in my diet alone. I think a lot of my magnesium need is from taking CF meds but looking back I realize that I've been magnesium deficient for a long time, since before I started taking any medication for CF.

 

[Keepercjr]

Laruen - I meant it as it is a huge conceptual leap to make and generalize it to the rest of the women w/ CF. I found a reference for you that says "Breast milk appears to be normal in women with CF, including normal ionic concentration levels and normal levels of available nutrients" from
Shiffman, ML, Seale, TW, Flux, M, et al Breast-milk composition in women with cystic fibrosis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49,612-617

I fully believe that breastmilk has the right amount of all its nutrients - even malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries make breastmilk that is as normal as "healthy" women living in developed countries. There is a reason it doesn't have much iron or D or what have you. Just like newborns are born with "low" vit K - its not because all newborns are deficient, it is the amount we're designed to have at birth. The average child will be getting exactly what he or she needs. Problems arise when the baby has medical issues or we live in climates that don't get a lot of sunlight or we use sunscreen or don't go outside.. It is entirely possible that even though Isaac is asymptomatic, he may require some extra minerals or vitamins than a "normal" baby. I am pancreatic sufficient yet I have, on occasion, shown to be low in protein when they do blood work. I'm not underweight and I have a healthy diet. I also require lots more magnesium than I can find in my diet alone. I think a lot of my magnesium need is from taking CF meds but looking back I realize that I've been magnesium deficient for a long time, since before I started taking any medication for CF.

 

[Keepercjr]

Laruen - I meant it as it is a huge conceptual leap to make and generalize it to the rest of the women w/ CF. I found a reference for you that says "Breast milk appears to be normal in women with CF, including normal ionic concentration levels and normal levels of available nutrients" from
Shiffman, ML, Seale, TW, Flux, M, et al Breast-milk composition in women with cystic fibrosis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49,612-617

I fully believe that breastmilk has the right amount of all its nutrients - even malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries make breastmilk that is as normal as "healthy" women living in developed countries. There is a reason it doesn't have much iron or D or what have you. Just like newborns are born with "low" vit K - its not because all newborns are deficient, it is the amount we're designed to have at birth. The average child will be getting exactly what he or she needs. Problems arise when the baby has medical issues or we live in climates that don't get a lot of sunlight or we use sunscreen or don't go outside.. It is entirely possible that even though Isaac is asymptomatic, he may require some extra minerals or vitamins than a "normal" baby. I am pancreatic sufficient yet I have, on occasion, shown to be low in protein when they do blood work. I'm not underweight and I have a healthy diet. I also require lots more magnesium than I can find in my diet alone. I think a lot of my magnesium need is from taking CF meds but looking back I realize that I've been magnesium deficient for a long time, since before I started taking any medication for CF.

 

[Keepercjr]

Laruen - I meant it as it is a huge conceptual leap to make and generalize it to the rest of the women w/ CF. I found a reference for you that says "Breast milk appears to be normal in women with CF, including normal ionic concentration levels and normal levels of available nutrients" from
Shiffman, ML, Seale, TW, Flux, M, et al Breast-milk composition in women with cystic fibrosis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49,612-617

I fully believe that breastmilk has the right amount of all its nutrients - even malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries make breastmilk that is as normal as "healthy" women living in developed countries. There is a reason it doesn't have much iron or D or what have you. Just like newborns are born with "low" vit K - its not because all newborns are deficient, it is the amount we're designed to have at birth. The average child will be getting exactly what he or she needs. Problems arise when the baby has medical issues or we live in climates that don't get a lot of sunlight or we use sunscreen or don't go outside.. It is entirely possible that even though Isaac is asymptomatic, he may require some extra minerals or vitamins than a "normal" baby. I am pancreatic sufficient yet I have, on occasion, shown to be low in protein when they do blood work. I'm not underweight and I have a healthy diet. I also require lots more magnesium than I can find in my diet alone. I think a lot of my magnesium need is from taking CF meds but looking back I realize that I've been magnesium deficient for a long time, since before I started taking any medication for CF.

 

[Keepercjr]

Also check out Holly Catheryn's web page on breastfeeding with Cystic Fibrosis <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.geocities.com/murrensnaturemama/breastfeeding.html">http://www.geocities.com/murre...ama/breastfeeding.html</a>

 

[Keepercjr]

Also check out Holly Catheryn's web page on breastfeeding with Cystic Fibrosis <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.geocities.com/murrensnaturemama/breastfeeding.html">http://www.geocities.com/murre...ama/breastfeeding.html</a>

 

[Keepercjr]

Also check out Holly Catheryn's web page on breastfeeding with Cystic Fibrosis <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.geocities.com/murrensnaturemama/breastfeeding.html">http://www.geocities.com/murre...ama/breastfeeding.html</a>

 

[Keepercjr]

Also check out Holly Catheryn's web page on breastfeeding with Cystic Fibrosis <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.geocities.com/murrensnaturemama/breastfeeding.html">http://www.geocities.com/murre...ama/breastfeeding.html</a>

 

[Keepercjr]

Also check out Holly Catheryn's web page on breastfeeding with Cystic Fibrosis <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.geocities.com/murrensnaturemama/breastfeeding.html">http://www.geocities.com/murre...ama/breastfeeding.html</a>

 

[wanderlost]

Lauren

Do you think rickets would show itself this early?

Caleb has always had a big head (huge) and finally now at 8 he is growing into it - so maybe that's biology. But, when he was a baby he had torticollis (shortening of the neck muscles on one side - long story how that came to be) and because of always laying his head to one side he developed a minor plagiocephaly - where his head was "unbalanced" and he had to wear a speacial helmet to correct that. So, it is possible that Issac's head shape may be off from something completely unrelated to rickets - or, as you said, myabe that's just how he is - but you might ask about it at your visit.

I would think, even if our breastmilk were lower in vitamins, that our breastmilk is still superior to formula and I only say that because I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Cf mom's have deficient milk (not that you are, I just think we constantly are battling "bad" pregnancy/mothering advice based soely on CF from well-meaning but uninformed MDs).

I do think that supplementing with vitamins might be a good idea. I haven't done it myself, but after reading this and thinking of how my own vitamin levels were low, I might look into it.

Please keep us posted on how this all turns out, because what you learn might be very valuable for other Cf moms (and moms of Cfers!)

 

[wanderlost]

Lauren

Do you think rickets would show itself this early?

Caleb has always had a big head (huge) and finally now at 8 he is growing into it - so maybe that's biology. But, when he was a baby he had torticollis (shortening of the neck muscles on one side - long story how that came to be) and because of always laying his head to one side he developed a minor plagiocephaly - where his head was "unbalanced" and he had to wear a speacial helmet to correct that. So, it is possible that Issac's head shape may be off from something completely unrelated to rickets - or, as you said, myabe that's just how he is - but you might ask about it at your visit.

I would think, even if our breastmilk were lower in vitamins, that our breastmilk is still superior to formula and I only say that because I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Cf mom's have deficient milk (not that you are, I just think we constantly are battling "bad" pregnancy/mothering advice based soely on CF from well-meaning but uninformed MDs).

I do think that supplementing with vitamins might be a good idea. I haven't done it myself, but after reading this and thinking of how my own vitamin levels were low, I might look into it.

Please keep us posted on how this all turns out, because what you learn might be very valuable for other Cf moms (and moms of Cfers!)

 

[wanderlost]

Lauren

Do you think rickets would show itself this early?

Caleb has always had a big head (huge) and finally now at 8 he is growing into it - so maybe that's biology. But, when he was a baby he had torticollis (shortening of the neck muscles on one side - long story how that came to be) and because of always laying his head to one side he developed a minor plagiocephaly - where his head was "unbalanced" and he had to wear a speacial helmet to correct that. So, it is possible that Issac's head shape may be off from something completely unrelated to rickets - or, as you said, myabe that's just how he is - but you might ask about it at your visit.

I would think, even if our breastmilk were lower in vitamins, that our breastmilk is still superior to formula and I only say that because I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Cf mom's have deficient milk (not that you are, I just think we constantly are battling "bad" pregnancy/mothering advice based soely on CF from well-meaning but uninformed MDs).

I do think that supplementing with vitamins might be a good idea. I haven't done it myself, but after reading this and thinking of how my own vitamin levels were low, I might look into it.

Please keep us posted on how this all turns out, because what you learn might be very valuable for other Cf moms (and moms of Cfers!)

 

[wanderlost]

Lauren

Do you think rickets would show itself this early?

Caleb has always had a big head (huge) and finally now at 8 he is growing into it - so maybe that's biology. But, when he was a baby he had torticollis (shortening of the neck muscles on one side - long story how that came to be) and because of always laying his head to one side he developed a minor plagiocephaly - where his head was "unbalanced" and he had to wear a speacial helmet to correct that. So, it is possible that Issac's head shape may be off from something completely unrelated to rickets - or, as you said, myabe that's just how he is - but you might ask about it at your visit.

I would think, even if our breastmilk were lower in vitamins, that our breastmilk is still superior to formula and I only say that because I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Cf mom's have deficient milk (not that you are, I just think we constantly are battling "bad" pregnancy/mothering advice based soely on CF from well-meaning but uninformed MDs).

I do think that supplementing with vitamins might be a good idea. I haven't done it myself, but after reading this and thinking of how my own vitamin levels were low, I might look into it.

Please keep us posted on how this all turns out, because what you learn might be very valuable for other Cf moms (and moms of Cfers!)

 

[wanderlost]

Lauren

Do you think rickets would show itself this early?

Caleb has always had a big head (huge) and finally now at 8 he is growing into it - so maybe that's biology. But, when he was a baby he had torticollis (shortening of the neck muscles on one side - long story how that came to be) and because of always laying his head to one side he developed a minor plagiocephaly - where his head was "unbalanced" and he had to wear a speacial helmet to correct that. So, it is possible that Issac's head shape may be off from something completely unrelated to rickets - or, as you said, myabe that's just how he is - but you might ask about it at your visit.

I would think, even if our breastmilk were lower in vitamins, that our breastmilk is still superior to formula and I only say that because I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Cf mom's have deficient milk (not that you are, I just think we constantly are battling "bad" pregnancy/mothering advice based soely on CF from well-meaning but uninformed MDs).

I do think that supplementing with vitamins might be a good idea. I haven't done it myself, but after reading this and thinking of how my own vitamin levels were low, I might look into it.

Please keep us posted on how this all turns out, because what you learn might be very valuable for other Cf moms (and moms of Cfers!)