Breastfeeding & Eating Raw - need info

[Annette]

Does anyone know if it is safe to eat raw while breastfeeding? Specifically, given the amount of nuts that are involved in raw cooking;I was advised to stay away from all nuts except almonds.
Thanks!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Annette and welcome!

Here is a previous (though brief) discussion on breastfeeding while raw:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3907&highlight=breastfeeding

There are a few others you can search for if you'd like...just click on the icon up top with the banana on it and enter in "breastfeeding while raw" or "breastfeeding" to find a few more discussions.

But I nurse my child...it's totally safe to nurse while raw...it's the BEST for you and baby actually!

I'm not sure why you were advised to not consume nuts, though, unless you have an allergy to them (?) Otherwise, the nuts are a source of (good) fat for you which is helpful in the production of your milk.

We have quite a few nursing moms here who are raw, I'm sure they will chime in with some of their experiences as well!

[Annette]

Thanks for the post! (And sorry about originally posting in the wrong spot!).

I was advised against all other nuts due to the allergin factor, & that my son could develop allergies from my consumption. I am open to other opinions though, especially from those like yourself. I am glad to hear your experience went and is going well!

Thanks again!
Annette

[firefaery]

That generally only applies to peanuts (which aren't actually nuts at all) when you are talking about your consumption. Is your little one having signs of allergies? As a preventative measure I'm just not sure I agree. Though I DO recommend strongly against peanut consumption for pregnant or nursing mamas.

I went raw while nursing (and pregnant!) and my supply which was never great has increased. My dd has serious allergies (which to be fair we healed before raw) and has done really well with the switch. I agree with the pp-it is the best way to eat for your babe!

[Ariella]

i have been high raw throughout pregnancy and nursing. 6 days ago switched to 100% raw and still have had good milk supply. i dont eat a ton of nuts. i do use some hemp seed and then almonds but that is about it. occasionally i do some raw deserts with other nuts but not often. i would say go for it! it is really best for you and baby. :)

my journal is at www.ethicalcentral.com/main if you want to see what i have been eating.

Ariella

JUICE PLUS+
www.juiceplus.com/+dj73561

[*green*faery*]

Hi! I'm nursing & on my 5th day of 99% raw. I think it's wonderful & I'm glad I finally did it!! My son was having food sensitivities to dairy & soy, which I had already cut out about 6 weeks ago. I do eat a lot of nuts (not peanuts) & it seems to be ok (so far at least!) Good luck mama~

[karenisraw]

Here is a page from my raw vegan doctor's website on Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. He is a M.D. in Europe, a licensed nutritionist, a nutritional scientist, a holistic practitioner, a choropractor, owns a raw vegan restaraunt and consults to the government and nutritional companies.

"If tests are done, we will be able tell more about specific individual needs. If not, I would recommend a good source of sublingual B12 (Absorbable methyl-B12), body-ready folic acid (ActiFolate), a good multivitamin/mineral (Multigenics IC, no iron), and DHA from algae (Neuromin)."

http://www.ecopolitan.com/ask-doctor-t/healthy-eating-during-pregnancy

k

[robertandenith]

I vote for the B-12 as well!!!

a good friend has done raw and breastfeeds her kid (now 3 1/2) is healthy! she does take vitamin b-12 though!

[Spectatrix]

That generally only applies to peanuts (which aren't actually nuts at all) when you are talking about your consumption. Is your little one having signs of allergies? As a preventative measure I'm just not sure I agree. Though I DO recommend strongly against peanut consumption for pregnant or nursing mamas.
True nuts are fairly allergenic as well (I should know, I'm somewhat sensitive to many varieties), so I'm not suprised that she was advised against eating them. Perhaps concentrate more on seeds than nuts?

[Arky]

Some related discussion in another thread, too:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11662


J.