Kelly Preston is not giving her baby the Scientology ‘formula’ of barley water & corn syrup


The last time I saw an interview with Kelly Preston, last year, I was honestly amazed at how brainwashed and out of it she sounded. You can watch that interview here. It was after her baby Ben was born, and her language was couched in Scientology speak that made no sense. She explained the concept of a “silent birth” in Scientology like this “L. Ron Hubbard found that the single source of abberation of psychosomatic illnesses, stress, fears, worry, things like that have to do with the reactive mind, and in that part of the mind is different words and commands that can come back to affect you later in your life.” I guess she meant that if you scream and talk loudly while giving birth, her cult believes that it can mess up your kid for life.

Well Kelly has a new interview on People magazine, and she said that she’s nursing her son and that it helps her bond with him. It’s sweet, and as a mom who nursed I can relate to what she’s saying. I’m actually relieved that she nursed little Ben and didn’t feed him barley water, as Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard recommended. Seriously, Hubbard thought that corn syrup and barley was better for babies than breast milk or formula, and he touted it to the detriment of many helpless babies born to parents who follow Scientology. Suri Cruise was even fed bottles of barley water, milk and corn syrup according to US Weekly. Here’s what Kelly said:

When the time comes, Kelly Preston admits weaning her 16-month-old son Benjamin won’t be easy — and not just for him.

“When I stop, it’s going to be really hard on me. I love nursing so much,” Preston, 49, tells PEOPLE.

“I love the closeness and knowing that I’m giving him the best as far as nutrients and antibodies. And he really loves it, too.”

Not yet on a schedule, Ben shares the bed with Preston and hubby John Travolta. She nurses him couple times a night and four or five times during the day.

“He’ll come up and point and go, ‘Mama, more,’” says Preston, laughing. “It’s so cute!”

Like his big sister Ella, 12, Ben has also developed an eclectic palate: he’s already a fan of filet mignon, scallops, salmon, organic veggies and, says his proud mom, “pretty much everything” — and is growing by leaps and bounds.

“New words are coming so fast,” says Preston, who recently partnered with non-profits Best for Babes and Healthy Child Healthy World to help educate moms about healthy living. “He loves ‘B’ words — basketball, bus, belly button, bird. He talks to birds and looks at them in the sky, and loves airplanes, busses, balls and lizards … and his favorite star is Elmo.”

Preston, who turns 50 in October, often swaps lifestyle and baby tips with her girlfriends, including fellow moms Jenna Elfman and Laila Ali, with whom she co-hosted an event Saturday at Elfman’s house to celebrate moms and educate them about raising kids in eco-friendly homes.

As it turned out, Preston was a little late to her own party. But who could blame her? As she told her guests, including mom-to-be Vanessa Lachey, she was busy nursing!

[From People]

I’m hoping that as a famous member of Scientology that Kelly will help other mothers in that cult realize that it’s ok to nurse their babies, which the World Health Organization recommends until age two and beyond.

In terms of that event at Jenna Elfman’s house, it was probably a gathering of Scientology moms, since Elfman is another famous member. They probably all hang out and do normal mom stuff, and it’s not necessarily related to Scientology. But if Vanessa Lachey was there I have to wonder – was it also a recruitment thing?

Also, I can’t believe Kelly is almost 50! There were rumors that she hired a surrogate for her baby, which were belied by beach photos of her looking like a new mom last year, along with this story that she’s nursing. It’s nice to hear a positive story about this family after the tragedy they suffered with the death of their 16 year-old son in early 2009.

Kelly Preston and John Travolta are shown at an event on 1-14-12. I wonder how they’re doing. They’re also shown out with baby Ben and their daughter Ella, 12, in June of last year. Credit: WENN.com and Pacific Coast News

Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston

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47 Responses to “Kelly Preston is not giving her baby the Scientology ‘formula’ of barley water & corn syrup”

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  1. Dominique says:

    “Age two and beyonce”. Typo and it stays.

  2. Sue says:

    What a little cutie!

  3. gillie says:

    “…until age two and beyonce.”

    HAHA, I think you meant, “beyond.” Gotta love spellcheck additions.

  4. Liv says:

    Scientology is so sick! There’s an old man telling women to feed their babys with corn syrup! It doesn’t get any sicker!!

    • Candyland says:

      It gets sicker when you refuse to think Autism is real and refuse to give medicine to stop seizures. Stupid ideas are ok for adults until the stupid ideas get in the way of caring for kids.

      • Liv says:

        Yeah, it’s unbelieveable that there are actually adults who join them – just knowing these two facts I’d never wanted to be involved with them!

  5. LeeLoo says:

    It’s funny I was just thinking about John Travolta and Kelly Preston after reading another $cientology article the other day.

    I don’t think that Kelly and John are as committed to CO$ as everyone thinks. I think they are still present because CO$ has a lot of stuff to blackmail them with but I think they don’t really want to be apart of the church anymore. I think there are a lot of celebrities out there in that situation where they want to leave but are too brainwashed and scared to do so. I think the breastfeeding and other small things I’ve seen people do to go against Co$ is indicative of there being some mini-rebellions.

    • Agnes says:

      i agree with your points, but i also think that they are (used to be?) pretty committed to it – i mean, they apparently refused to treat their son for seizures caused by that condition he had, which probably lead to his death. i assume they believed that barley and vitamins would cure him? it’s horrifying that people in cults can do stuff like that to their kids, with zero consequences (esp when they have money, like the prominent hollywood scientologists).

      • LeeLoo says:

        Well I think since the death of Jett that they have slowly been turning their backs on the church (at least John). When I said that they are not as committed, I meant in the past few years.

    • mln76 says:

      Actually from what I’ve read Kelly is active in the COS. Methinks John wants out of the Church and the marriage but they have too much on him. Oh and I think Kelly had the sperm on ice just in case JT ever came close to leaving.

      • Seagulls says:

        What are they alleged to have on him? I’ve always been curious, and don’t feel Ike trawling through google to find out.

      • MorticiansDoItDeader says:

        @Seagulls, his “spa dates” with bronzed, burly men.

      • Seagulls says:

        Thanks, Morticians.

        But, seriously, that’s enough to keep him in a group like the Co$? Are the fellas he spa dated underage or something? I thought that being gay didn’t carry the stigma it had forty years ago.

  6. Jen says:

    Their daughter is just gorgeous. And that little peanut is adorable…

  7. Agnes says:

    i hope that the kids are able to escape the cult when they come of age.

  8. Samigirl says:

    Gosh, that baby looks JUST like John. Wowzers. He’s adorable.

    I love it when celebrities promote nursing. I’m not a hardcore crunchy momma, but I wish more (younger-in particular) moms were educated about the benefits of breastfeeding. My sister stopped because she felt it was “sexual.” Still makes me roll my eyes.

    • Dinah says:

      Wow!! If she thinks that’s ‘sexual’ (snorts), how did she get pregnant in the first place, LOL??

      • Samigirl says:

        That was her point. Her and her husband (boyfriend at the time) didn’t like it because her husband had used them first.

        They are getting a divorce after 6 months of marriage. So…there is that.

  9. csc says:

    The event was to “celebrate breastfeeding and toxin-free living” – http://www.bestforbabes.org/celebrity-event-details-4-14-2012

    and to pick up swag bags, I’m guessing.

  10. NerdMomma says:

    That is the part of this cult that makes me angrier than anything. Telling mothers not to breastfeed their babies, but to give them a bottle of frickin barley water and corn syrup? What an arrogant idiot Hubbard was. How on earth do people still listen to his nonsense?

  11. MollyB says:

    Good for her for nursing as long as she likes! I’m a big believer that women should not feel pressured to do anything with their bodies that they are uncomfortable with–whether that means feeling pressured to nurse longer or shorter than they want. Listen to your body and your instincts and block everything else out!

  12. Suzy (from Ontario, Canada) says:

    I don’t understand why these people think some Sci-Fi writer has any kind of expertise regarding what babies should eat, birth, psychological illness or anything else! It’s scary that so many believe everything this guy said to the point of feeding their babies or not speaking to them for…is it a week I heard? (silent for birth and first week). It’s hard to fathom people that seem intelligent not even doing any kind of research for themselves on what is the healthiest things to do for their child, but instead just following this cult!

    I’m glad she’s breastfeeding…at least that’s healthy compared to barley water and corn syrup! Plus it helps bonding.

  13. Seymour Butts says:

    Scientology is a CULT in every sense of the word. Frigging barley water and corn syrup (nearly 100% of which is genetically-modified and therefore TOXIC) have NO place in the nourishment of an infant. It’s assinine and foolish, straight up. Breast milk has all the ingredients needed to build a child’s immnune system; that’s what it’s designed to do, duh. There aren’t enough words in the English language to desribe what a POS L. Ron Hubbard was. Anyone who believes or follows his teachings can’t be a very deep thinker. I’m looking at YOU, Tom Cruise, and all the other dumb-asses too.

    • gg says:

      Corn syrup – ack. Way to get em addicted to sugar at the starting gate! Next stop – candybars for lunch.

  14. maggiegrace says:

    John Travolta squicks me the hell out.

  15. TG says:

    Anyone is a fool if they stay in this cult because of blackmail. I don’t care how gay he is unless he has killed someone who the cares? I mean I think his career would even be better if he escaped the cult and they released “bad” stuff about him he could fire back with all kinds of stories about the cult and if he is gay blame it on the cult for him living a double life, blame everything you want on the cult, we will gladly lend an ear. And if he wants to escape Kelly he should. Let her have half your wealth just fight like crazy to keep your child out of the cult. Not money, blackmail or anything could keep me from my freedom, especially if it involved my children.

  16. MorticiansDoItDeader says:

    Until barley water and corn syrup have components that cure cancer, I’ll stick to breastfeeding.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419132403.htm

  17. Scarlet Vixen says:

    My daughter is also 16 months old, and this age is SO fun! The range of emotions they are starting to display, their growing independence but still ‘baby’ enough to like to snuggle and be held, the language explosion, the giggles… 🙂 My daughter just weaned herself a few weeks ago, and I’m glad she nursed for so long. I don’t know if I could’ve gone all the way to 2 year old, tho. What do any other moms thinking about BFing past 2 year old?

    • Isa says:

      After my son was born my 3 year old was very interested in mommy’s milk. She would try to sneak up and get a drink from the other side (yes, I spent a lot of time topless or with my shirt pulled up)
      And it creeped me out.
      But my baby is almost 8 months now. I tried to wean him a few months ago but failed. He doesn’t seem like he’s gonna give it up anytime soon.
      But this biting phase is really getting to me. He has 5 teeth and they hurt!

      • MorticiansDoItDeader says:

        @Scarlet, my eldest son nursed until 20 months. He had no interest in self weaning, but I cut him off so my husband and I could start trying for another baby. It was heartbreaking for the first few days because he wanted the comfort of nursing and I was denying him that comfort. We were able to get through it with a lot of hugs and distractions. My friend let her son self-wean at 28 months. She was 5 months pregnant at the time and we think the only reason he weaned was because she was producing colostrum (rather than milk). She got a lot of horrified looks from people who saw her nursing an almost 2 1/2 year old in public. I am currently still nursing my 12 month old son and hope he weans before 20 months.

        @Isa, when my little one got teeth (at 9 months), he was doing a lot of biting but I think he realizes now that biting hurts mommy, because he hasn’t done it for quite some time. My eldest never bit, because he didn’t get his first tooth until 12 months and was probably more aware of how they should be used.

      • Isa says:

        My babies get teeth really early. Daughter at 3.5 months and son at 4.5 months.
        I’ve tried giving him a firm no and putting him down. But it hasn’t done any good so far. He laughs when I say no and doesn’t cry when I put him down. Weird, since he cries every other time I put him down!
        He also bit my leg today and peeled some skin off through my pjs. I’m scared for my nipples.

  18. Kim says:

    49 with a baby?? I know she lost a son and I feel for them BUT i think having a child who you wont live to see grow up and meet your grandchildren, or youll be to old to relate at all, is selfish.

    • anonymoose says:

      Kim, agreed. It also creeps me out because I doubt they would have produced another child if Jett had not died. Is Ben a replacement for Jett? Rubs me wrong, but realize it isn’t my choice to make.

    • Andrea says:

      I was thinking the same thing. It must be exhausing. She’s old enough to be his grandmother!

    • The Other Katherine says:

      Why on earth would you think she’s unlikely to live to see him grow up? She’s got another 30 years of life expectancy. If we’re talking averages, women in the U.S. don’t generally die at 65 these days. If she gets unlucky and dies relatively young — well, that’s life. Plenty of people die in their 30s of car accidents, cancer, and other causes. Telling people not to have kids because they definitely won’t still be around when said kid is well into middle age seems silly to me. Having two living parents when you’re in your 40s and 50s is very much a modern phenomenon.

      I have pantsloads of judgmental thoughts about John Travolta and Kelly Preston, but they’re to do with the Scientology crapola, not their choice to have another baby relatively late. His parents’ age will be the least of that kid’s problems.

  19. Isa says:

    I was shocked to learn that my husband’s grandma fed all of her kids a combination of cow’s milk and corn syrup. I can’t remember if she made it from evaporated or powder.

    • MorticiansDoItDeader says:

      My dad’s mother died giving birth to him (in 1942) and that’s what he was given. I often wonder if that set the stage for his developing type 2 diabetes.

      • Isa says:

        Hmmm. Maybe. I know she has 4 children and at least 1 (my husband’s father) has diabetes. I think it is type 2.
        I was just amazed they survived! The corn syrup was to help with constipation, since cow’s milk, I think.

    • MollyB says:

      That was not uncommon “back in the day”, even for mother’s who simply didn’t want to or couldn’t nurse. Cow’s milk lacks certain nutrients for optional growth but has more than enough of the basic components to keep a baby alive and thriving.

  20. The Bobster says:

    What’s with the boy’s eyes? An allergy kicking up or was he just tired?

  21. TaylorB says:

    A friend of my old roommates, super ‘crunchy’ mom (which is fine) was still breast feeding her son last I saw her, he was 4 1/2 years old. But she said she felt it was his choice to decide when he was ready to stop and he would let her know… granted at the rate she is going that may be in his Senior Thesis Paper.

  22. PG says:

    The little guy is quite small for 16 months. Maybe that’s why she taking him off the COS diet. Breastfeeding = Formula

  23. Sunnyjyl says:

    I love that you added the World Health Organizations recommendation for breast feeding is 2 years and beyond. If a mom is able, this is great advise!

  24. Sara says:

    Corn syrup? That says it all! That is the worst thing you can feed your child!