Checkup Newsroom

Is Organic Formula Better than Regular Formula?

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 08:55:57 -0500

By Michelle Bailey, M.D.

I encourage breastfeeding when possible, but FED is BEST. If breastfeeding isn’t working out for mom or baby, we have plenty of other options with formulas. There are so many types of formulas that the process of choosing which one is right for your baby may seem overwhelming.

What’s the difference between organic formula and non-organic formula?

Be comforted by the fact that all infant formulas are regulated by the FDA which requires a standard of basic nutritional needs. Both organic and non-organic formulas support the healthy growth and development of infants. The difference is organic formulas must be manufactured from organic milk that is sourced from cows eating an organic feed and have no added hormones or antibiotics, no GMOs, no artificial or synthetic ingredients and ingredients are grown without pesticides. Be aware that some organic formula brands that are only sold online are manufactured in Europe and do not have U.S. FDA approval, including some popular goat milk formulas.

What is the benefit of eating organic food?

There are dozens of scientific papers published on potential benefits of eating organic. In one U.S. study, eating an organic diet compared to a conventional diet showed a decrease in pesticides found in children’s and adults’ urine output but more research is needed to determine the connection between that and positive health outcomes. In another recent study, researchers found higher rates of antibiotic resistant E. coli bacteria in non-organic chicken. And in India, researchers recently determined that soil with organic fertilizer contains more nutrients, more good strains of bacteria and significantly lower concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

Do organic formulas have extra ingredients that make them better?

Many organic formulas advertise added prebiotics, DHA, ARA, lutein, and a variety of other ingredients to make formula as close to breast milk as possible. However, many non-organic formulas have these same added ingredients. Always read the label and ask your pediatrician if you have any questions.

Is there anything in organic formulas that is bad for baby?

A few organic formulas contain sucrose, which can cause excess weight gain and dental cavities.

Who should choose organic formula over non-organic formula?

Choosing organic formula over non-organic formula is a personal choice—not a requirement. If your household is committed to eating organic foods, you have the option to purchase organic formula for your baby. How nice it would be if ALL our food could be organic or fresh from a local farmer’s market, but that’s not how our food supply chain operates. And it’s okay. If cost isn’t a factor, eating organic foods and feeding your baby organic formula would be a nice bonus, so go ahead and purchase it if you’d like. But don’t feel bad by choosing the non-organic and generic formulas, as they have plenty of good nutrition for your growing baby.

Get to know Michelle Bailey, M.D.

I’m a board-certified pediatrician, passionate about ensuring the well-being of patients ranging from newborn through late teens.

I attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma (Boomer!), and completed my pediatric residency in Houston.

Since the completion of residency, I’ve worked in outpatient clinics and enjoy not only caring for my young patients, but becoming a part of every family by building long-lasting, trusting relationships. While I treat common and not-so-common childhood infections and diseases, I especially have a passion for asthma and allergies, nutrition, and ADHD along with other learning disorders.

I’m married and we have a rescue dog named Jack. When not at work, I enjoy attending cultural events and traveling. To make an appointment with Dr. Bailey, click here or call 682-303-1000.

5 Tips To Protect Your Child's Skin From the Sun

Mon, 07 May 2018 10:26:12 -0500

School is about to be out for summer! This means playing outside, swimming and enjoying the warm, sunny weather. Of course, you know what’s coming next - don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

Since this is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and today is "Melanoma Monday, let's talk about the importance of protecting your child's skin.

More people are diagnosed with skin cancer than all other cancers combined with over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States alone. The good news is skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer if we take care of our skin.

As you know, finding a good product and using it properly can be tricky. There are so many products to choose from and the priciest, prettiest, ‘organic,' SPF 100 products aren’t necessarily the best. I’m frequently asked what products to use, how to apply them, how often to apply them, and other advice on staying safe in the sun. So, here is what I tell my patients.

1. First off, what’s the deal with SPF?

Well, SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’. Higher SPF provides more protection; yes, SPF 100 is a real thing. Is it necessary though? Surprisingly, no! In my experience, applying SPF 100 is often times like working with clay, which is no fun. You’re usually best off sticking with SPF 30. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s UV rays, whereas SPF 50 provides 98 percent protection; not much of a difference. There is also no clear evidence that any number higher than SPF 50 provides any extra benefit; so, don’t bother spending the extra cash for that fancy SPF 100 product. What about if you’re only going to be in the sun for a short period of time; well, then SPF 15 (blocks about 92 percent of the sun’s rays) is probably good enough. Generally, I recommend using SPF 30; but, keep in mind, any sunscreen is better than none at all.

When you are out shopping for sunscreen, I have a few extra tips for you. Make sure you buy a BROAD-SPECTRUM sunscreen. This means it’ll block both UVA and UVB sun rays, and will protect your skin best. Also, avoid any fragranced products as it is often-times the fragrances that are added to sunscreens that cause skin irritation. Next, look for products that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; these work better and tend to be better tolerated on sensitive skin. The catch is that these tend to be tougher to rub in; however, you can find them in some fun colors for young children. I especially recommend using one of these products on sensitive areas like your face. Lastly, the sunscreen lotions are generally better to use than the sunscreen sprays. But, I do know that getting some children to grease up with the lotions can be an all-out battle. In that case, as mentioned above, using the spray is still much better than using no sunscreen at all!

2. If it's organic, does that make it better?

Well, not necessarily. Honestly, when shopping for sunscreens I have seen them labeled as ‘organic,’ ‘all natural,’ ‘non-GMO,’ vegan and even ‘gluten-free’. If you find yourself somehow ingesting gluten from these products, you’re doing something very wrong. All kidding aside, I can understand the concern over chemicals and synthetic products that many parents have. There is some concern that the chemical oxybenzone, found in many chemically based sunscreens, might have hormonal impacts; and as such, this would be a good idea to avoid if possible. However, I don’t recommend seeking out any old ‘organic’ or ‘alternative’ sunscreens necessarily. Instead, ignore all of the marketing tricks and flip the sunscreen bottle over; look at the ‘Active Ingredients’ section. The best products will contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients are minerals and are natural; some but not all of these products will be labeled as organic. Even still, using any sunscreen is STILL better than no sunscreen at all.

3. Now that you found your product, before going outside, grease ‘em up!

Apply the sunscreen generously and use it frequently. For a young adult, you need at least 1 ounce (30 mL) per application. It is best applied to dry skin, 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. You should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours AND after swimming (or getting wet any other way). I do recommend using a water-resistant/sweat resistant sunscreen but, remember, water resistant is NOT the same as water-proof. It still needs to be reapplied after swimming.

Whichever sunscreen you pick, limit your exposure to the sun as much as possible. It’s particularly important to avoid direct exposure during the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s damaging UV rays are at their strongest. So, if you can avoid spending a lot of time in direct sun during those hours, your chances of sunburn will be lower. Furthermore, during those hours, it would be best to cover your child’s skin with a light-weight, long-sleeved shirt, light-weight pants and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Stay in the shade as much as possible but, keep in mind, you can get a sunburn even when in the shade or on a cloudy day; so, I still recommend that you wear sunscreen. Also, keep in mind, the sun’s UV rays reflect off surfaces, especially water (or snow) and the reflection can also burn you!

4. Now, what about infants?

You may have noticed that the label on most sunscreens say, “For children under 6 months, ask a doctor.” This is certainly not to suggest that young infants do not need any sun protection. Actually, quite the opposite. Young infants’ skin is very sensitive and will burn very easily. Best practice is to always keep them out of direct sunlight, especially during those peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., keep their skin covered with light-weight pants, a light-weight, long-sleeved shirt and a big floppy hat. If you notice redness, the best thing to do is actually bring them indoors. If sun exposure is unavoidable for some reason, you can use a small amount of sunscreen on those exposed surfaces. Be careful though, because, like I mentioned, infants’ skin is sensitive and can be irritated even just from sunscreen. The sunscreen products made for infants may be less irritating to their skin, but again, the best thing to do is actually keep them out of the sun’s rays.

5. Don’t forget about your eyes!

Your eyes can actually be damaged by UV rays from the sun year-round, and this damage over time can lead to problems like cataracts or cancers. All you need to do to protect your eyes is throw on a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that protect your child’s eyes from at least 97 percent of UV rays. Even infants should wear sunglasses. Plus, what’s more adorable than an infant in some cute shades?

A sunburn can be painful and harmful to your skin; and can definitely bring more than a few days’ discomfort and damper on your summer time activities (not to mention a risk of skin cancer in the future). Keep these few helpful tips in mind to prevent damage from the sun’s rays. So get out there, have some fun, but make sure to protect yourself and your family from the sun!

5 ways food companies mislead you

Mon, 09 Feb 2015 16:12:31 -0600

Buying food for your family can be difficult, especially with deceptive marketing and unclear food regulations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a report that "pediatricians should advise parents to look carefully at labels when selecting commercial toddler foods and to limit salty snacks, sweet desserts, and juice drinks."

The CDC points out that commercial toddler foods and infant or toddler snacks, desserts, and juice drinks are of potential concern due to sodium or sugar content.

But it doesn't end with toddler foods.

Food and drink companies are finding ways around the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) regulations to mislead consumers into thinking their products are healthy. We highlight a few deceptive terms frequently used on food and drink labels that you should know about.

1. “All Natural”

The FDA currently has no definition for this claim. Foods and drinks that do not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances are allowed to write “All Natural” on their labels. This allows a lot of room for interpretation for the food companies.

2. “Reduced Fat/Sugar”

Beware of claims about reduced amounts of fat and sugar. According to the FDA definition for “reduced”, the item only needs to have 25 percent less of the claimed nutritional value than the original referenced item. Many times items that claim to be reduced are not necessarily healthier. Companies make up for ingredients taken out in other areas. For example, a reduced fat item might increase the amount of sugar in the product to keep the taste consumers prefer. Always check the nutrition label to see if the product is actually healthier.

3. “Zero Trans Fat”

In the U.S., if a product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans-fat per serving it can be advertised with “Zero Trans Fat.” In this case, the nutrition label will often read 0 grams of trans fat. The problem is once you eat more than one serving the product no longer has zero trans-fat. Make sure to check the ingredients for hydrogenated oils which indicate trans fat in the product.

4. “Organic”

There is a common misconception about the powers of the term organic. Organic refers to the way a product is produced. It has to be produced by an approved method sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). People think buying organic is the key to weight loss, but buying organic items does not necessarily cut down the calories. Just remember to look at the nutrition and ingredients labels, even if the product is organic.

5. “Cage-Free and Free-Range”

Most people read this claim and picture chickens running free in an open farm pasture. This is not the case. The term cage-free only implies that each hen is not locked in an individual cage, but in an open barn. Many times these hens are never given outside access. Similarly, the USDA only regulates that a free-range hen must have access to outdoors.

We spoke to Lisa Pegram, a registered dietitian at Cook Children’s, about how parents can decipher through marketing messages and know which foods are actually healthy. Pegram teaches her patients that “fresh is best.” The fresher the food, the more nutrients it will give you. Look for nutrient rich items in the grocery store. It is important to consume calories that give you nutrients which make you feel full. For example, eating a chocolate chip cookie gives you a lot of calories, but no nutritional benefits. It can leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied.

Don’t rely solely on the wording on the front of the label. Pegram said, “I always tell parents to turn the food product around and look at the ingredients list to see what you are actually buying. If you see a chemical equation, you should probably do away with it.”

Pay attention to the order of ingredients listed on a label. The first few ingredients listed are the most used ingredients in the product. Pegram said that in most cases, the fewer ingredients, the better. The final thing to look at is the serving size because companies will often make it far less than a consumer would normally eat. Pegram warns that if you are going to eat double the serving size, you need to double the calories, fat, sugar, etc.

Parents have the most influence over what their child eats on a daily basis. Make a commitment to learn about these deceptive marketing tactics used by food companies to trick consumers. You and your family will feel better and live a healthier lifestyle.

For more information on food and drink regulations, visit the FDA and USDA websites at www.fda.gov and www.usda.gov.