One More Thing To Worry About!
The flouride issue has been making the rounds of a local parenting Yahoo group. I was dissmissive at first, but now that I’ve done a little more research I’m completely paranoid that Pickle has been getting too much flouride since we mix his powdered formula with tap (or Brita-filtered) water.
I’d estimate about half of his daily milk intake is formula at this point, and I’ve been strongly toying with the idea of giving up pumping once he hits 8 months. (Arguments in favor include (1) I HATE PUMPING and (2) my supply is less than great these days anyway. Arguments against include (3) some breastmilk is better than none! and (4) ZOMGWTFFLOUROSIS????)
The easiest fix would be to switch from powdered formula to premixed, which is prepared with unflouridated water. The major downsides to that are premixed formula doesn’t keep nearly as long as the powdered stuff, and is REALLY FUCKING EXPENSIVE. But probably still cheaper than investing in a reverse osmosis filter.
And it’s a short-term problem because in another 4 months he’ll be switching to cow’s milk anyway (or goat’s milk, or soy, if he suddenly develops a dairy sensitivity), so maybe we should just suck it up and do it. I can probably find somewhere online to buy in bulk and save, right?
Gah. One more thing to ask my ped about at our next well-baby visit, I guess. Or maybe I’ll just email Dr Mike.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Allen Taylor
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
You’ll get better luck getting through to Dr. Mike if you call in your question on his SKYPE line!
Those questions usually get put to the top of the list to answer. 
Just a little inside hint!
February 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
But also the RTF formula also has more BPA.
Could you get unflorinated bottled water?
February 6th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Kat, I’d forgotten about BPA - good point. Bottled spring water’s probably a better option.
And Karen, thanks for the Skype tip! (Hooray for trackbacks!)