Local doctor warns about dangers of diluting formula
Local doctor warns about dangers of diluting formula Save Email Print
Posted: 7:21 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:21 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Reporter: Maureen McFadden
Email Address: maureen.mcfadden@wndu.com
21 comments
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When the economy is bad, bread and butter issues often turn into medical issues. So tonight we issue a warning about baby formula: don't dilute it to try and make it stretch.

On Tuesday we told you about how a Florida baby almost died because his mother diluted his formula. She thought she could make it last longer and didn't know that what she was doing could be dangerous.

Local pediatrician Dr. Robert Sweeney told us Wednesday just how dangerous it is.

"We're basically seawater, and you have to have minerals in your intake," said Dr. Sweeney. "[When you don't,] you can get all sorts of problems with the internal organs -- the brain, the kidneys."

"You cannot water down the formula," Dr. Sweeney continued. "You can't take just plain water. Something like Pedialyte or something that has that kind of electrolytes in it -- electrolytes and minerals, mostly sodium and potassium."

Sweeney says that if you cannot afford formula, you may be able to receive it for free from sources such as area food pantries, WIC, and Medicaid.
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Posted by: Jane Location: NC on Feb 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM
My son lost his job due to illness, there wass no health insurance offered where he worked he wass considered an independant. He hass lost much of his vision,use of his hands,and has a respiratory problem. He lives with me SS 748/month He can't get medical help,can't pay. Can't get medicaid no kid under 19. Need to file for disability and would qualify but needs Dr help, problem can't pay wjth all the welfare geniouses out there commenting solve this problem. He was a single trucker with no kids paid taxes and ss through the nose! Now what??? How about offering Dr's whose school loans are in multiple millions and unpaid, to work them off by helping with this kind of problem? It was probably some of my son's taxes that paid their tuitions.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:26 PM
to Anonymous at 12:08 PM you dont get to choose what kind of thing s you get on wic the have set items that you get every month if we could chhose we would
Posted by: In the same boat Location: Indiana on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:52 PM
To : dan Location: elkhart on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:34 AM According to them, I can't get assistance because I am just above the limit on my GROSS income. Not my NET income. My BRING HOME pay is almost $800 a month, which is after they take out taxes, health insurance *WHICH SUCKS*, etc. That is what I am saying. I dont understand how they can go off of your gross income, if that is not what you are left with to pay bills. My home is a 3 bedroom, (2 kids share a room). So its not like I live in the lap of luxury, wanting to soak in all of the agency money. I work my butt off. I work any and all overtime that I can. I am also in an organization who helps victims of domestic violence. I am not a "moocher", and I take offence to what some of the people say on here. Those people will be in the same boat shortly if the economy continues in its nose dive, and they lose their jobs, homes, and dignity, and go stand in line at welfare...then we will all see who is laughing and criticizing.
Posted by: Mike Location: Sturgis, MI on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:13 PM
To Ken... There are many parents out there who are losing there jobs everyday. Up till now they have supported their families on their own without help from the government. Cut them some slack, we don't all live in a "perfect world", besides if we all waited to have kids when our finances were stable, most of us would still be waiting.
Posted by: Ken Location: Mish on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:10 PM
The really sad thing is when people who really need it are turned, but the people who are always trying to beat the system just keep finding ways to get everything for free.
Posted by: WIC Recipient on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:57 PM
To anonymous...WIC vouchers are very specific as to which items you are allowed to buy. I recently just got on WIC myself because I got a severe cut in pay when my husband was layed off. If I could buy those cheaper items I would. Don't speak or complain about things you don't know. I hate needing the help, but at least I am working and always have. I am using this as a temporary assistance until my husband finds another job. Again, ignorant people really shouldn't complain about things they know nothing about!!!!
Posted by: In the same boat Location: Indiana on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Ok. Since some of you people have written negative things about people who have children and can't make it in this economy, or that don't have an "education". I went to college! I have 3 children. I WAS making $32,000/yr at my old job, but they decided to eliminate the job that me, along with 5 other people had. Now I am stuck with a dead end job and almost all other jobs in my area are laying off or closing their doors. When I had my children, I was very financially able to take care of them. I needed NO help from the agencies. I donated a lot of money to people in need. I always get food at Save-A-Lot and Dollar General. I don't EVER buy name brand things. Also, to "Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:05 AM" I breastfed all of my children. I have a 2yr old son who I just stopped breastfeeding about a month ago. Me and my children are all lactose intolerant. My oldest daughter and I are severely allergic to milk. My other kids just cant have very much milk or will be very sick.
Posted by: C Location: Elkhart on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:19 PM
To Amazed, Jeff is right. If you have a woman already collecting welfare and they get pregnant again then the answer should be: Sorry about your luck! If you are too stupid to figure out how to prevent that problem then why should I pay to raise your kid? I have to work to get a raise at my job, they just have another kid and get a raise! By the way when was the last time someone on welfare had to submit to a drug test to retain their paycheck. Seems real fair to the rest of us huh? Get your heads out of your sphincters!
Posted by: Ken Location: Mishawaka on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Here is a novel idea. How about getting an education and creating a stable enviroment before having kids? Now I remember, we can just run to the state for a handout paid for by the people who did that. Instead why not just run around and live like we do not have a care in the world.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I also have probles with people buying name brand items with food stamps and also with the wic coupons. I have been behind people with WIC, and they bought name brand cereals and cheeses. Store brands are much cheaper and taste as good. The same is with the food stamps. They are buying pop with food stamps, which use to be a no no. But when people get something for nothing, they do no appreciate it. They should be made to go to special classes, and taken to a grocery store, and shown how they can stretch their food dollars. Also, I would like to see the welfare debit cards be filled twice a month. That would make them maybe be more budget savy.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:02 PM
How about switching to low fat milk at an younger age. My kids were off formula a three months and on 2% milk. They had cereal deluted with formula at 2 weeks, and on baby food by 3 months. They have no food allergies and were very healthly. Why, they got fresh air outside, they ate fruits and vegetables everyday. Maybe we need to go back to the old way. It is cheaper, when you make your own babyfood as I did.
Posted by: AMAZED Location: ELKHART on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:26 AM
2 questions.The first goes to Welfare System 9:17a.m.You know for a fact that Obama was elected because of the reason you stated I take it? You did a poll of your own and have back up for that? Second question Jeff.. are you for real?? That is the only way to become pregnant? WOW thanks for the lesson on human reproduction. Im guessing you have helped alot of people out with that statement!!you
Posted by: dan Location: elkhart on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:34 AM
to "in the same boar" If you make $800 a month and have kids (child care), you do qualify for help... sounds like a story.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:31 AM
They choose smoking, cell phone, cable TV over formula...
Posted by: Jeff Location: South Bend on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I feel bad for all those children whose parents are so irresponsible. Why start a family before you are financially ready to do so? There is only one way to get pregnant (sperm meets egg), so there is no reason, or excuse, for an "accidental" pregnancy. These people make very selfish and stupid decisions then want the taxpayers to bail them out. Sound familiar?
Posted by: Welfare System on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:17 AM
The welfare system does not need to be overhauled, it needs to be elminated. They should either offer private insurance (for unemployment) as other countries do. That way you could choose to cover the percent of income that you want to, instead of having the governemnt choose that for you. If someone has a $2500 a month house payment, and the government gives them $400 a week, that does not help. If Welfare was elminated, our taxes would drop to almost nothing. ofcourse 50% of the nation don't pay ANY taxes, these bottom 50% should not be considered US Citizen, should be forced to work by the government if they can not find a job. There should be no free ride... Keep in mind, we are at a tipping point in this country where the top 20% pay 90% of all taxes. The ONLY reason why Barak Obama won is because he promised those who DO NOT pay any taxes, that they would get money back for taxes they never paid. Who wouldn't vote for someone who promised to pay for everything, ignorance.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:05 AM
All right, this is going to cause trouble but here goes: if you can't afford formula, don't use it!!! God has provided you with the perfect food for your baby. It is 100% FREE, nutritious and free of melamine and God only knows what else. Breastfeeding is the way to go even if you can afford formula. You would save well over 1200 in that first year. That buys a LOT of diapers.
Posted by: Sandy Location: Mishawaka on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I agree with the other comments. I have a daughter -in -law that is expecting a baby in about 8 weeks. She had to take a lesser paying position in the company that she works for because of problems with the pregnancy. Her and my son have applied for WIC and Food Stamps but were told they make too much money. My son is working 2 jobs and they are falling behind on their house payments, car payments, utilities, etc. Not too mention, food is purchased as a last option with whatever money tbey have left. We beed to revamp the system and we need to do it NOW!!
Posted by: Frustrated Location: Indiana on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:44 AM
What frustrates me is when someone is buying steaks, fresh produce, pop, and other "luxery" food items with their food stamps and I have to get ramen noodles and soup. I worked at Walmart a couple of years ago. This was in addition to my full time job because we were struggling. A woman on food stamps had the nerve to ask me if I like to eat pre cooked bacon, that is just the greatest and she would eat a package just for a snack. I told her that I have never bought it because I have to pay for my food. I just think if they could monitor what people buy, they could help a lot more people.
Posted by: bob Location: south bend on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:56 AM
yea i have to agree. i work at a hospital in laporte. many of my coworker make about the same thing and are just making it too. they can't afford insurance and they work in a hospital! Maybe we need to go back to giving the free cheese and such. so many of us are just not making it. we fall between the cracks. some of us have been without jobs for over a year and can't get any monies ect. something needs to give.
Posted by: In the same boat Location: Indiana on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Right now, with the problems in the economy, you would THINK that this would be a good solution. BUT the fact that Medicaid and other routes go by your GROSS income, NOT your net income. With that in mind, someone like me who makes almost $9/hr, I make too much to receive help. But I can't pay bills, rent, childcare, groceries, or anything else...but yet I make too much?! I think that some MAJOR overhauling needs to be done with Medicaid, WIC, and all of the other goverment help. People like me just can't make it! No one is hiring! And when you get 2nd job to help make ends meet, that means MORE childcare costs, more gas, more everything, and also means LESS help. At $9/hr, I only bring home a little over $200/wk, which adds up to about $almsot $800 per month. $550 goes to rent. $150 groceries. And $400 in childcare. Wow...nothing left! Cant pay car insurance, co-pays if someone gets sick, electric and gas bills, water, sewage, anything else. And yet I make too much for help!

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