Help Needed...Raw and Nursing

[LauraPaulsen]

I've been 100% raw for 5 days...my milk must not be as rich..my 5 month old is crying to be fed more often.

She does great when I'm raw, meaning that she doesn't spit up but this is what happened last time I went raw. She is wanting to nurse more frequently.

I'm ok with that, and I'm hoping that nursing more will just up my milk supply.

Is there anything I can eat or drink to help it along? Any suggestions? I think someone once told me sesame milk, but i'm not sure.

[rawstrength]

I have no experience in these matters, but here is a thought of mine: Have you considered that your milk could be more nutritious and tastier when you are on raw foods, and that is why your little one wants to nurse more?

[HolyGuacamole]

Fenugreek seeds are awesome for increasing milk supply.
It sounds like your supply is OK, though, just not as fatty, maybe, as before?
Are you getting lots of good fats, like from avocados, and seeds, and nuts?

[LauraPaulsen]

I have no experience in these matters, but here is a thought of mine: Have you considered that your milk could be more nutritious and tastier when you are on raw foods, and that is why your little one wants to nurse more?

I would like to think that, but my mother intuition tells me that is not the case. :(


Fenugreek seeds are awesome for increasing milk supply.
It sounds like your supply is OK, though, just not as fatty, maybe, as before?
Are you getting lots of good fats, like from avocados, and seeds, and nuts?

I'm making some almond milk ( I have almonds from before they started pastuerizing them), cashew milk and sesame seed milk. I make about 2-3 smoothies a day with the milk..and yesterday I ate quite a bit of pine nuts and some walnuts.

I'll add more walnuts.

Come to think of it..I didn't each much yesterday..I wasn't that hungry.

[HolyGuacamole]

It is amazing to me that you can be un-hungry, nursing a baby that age! I remember when my daughter was little (she's 15 now - this was in 1993) I thought I would try Dean Ornish's idea of heart-healthy eating, with 10% of your calories coming from fat, and I literally fainted one afternoon after having had only fruit, a little green salad, and some lightly steamed green beans to eat that day. I went out right after I fell over and ordered a big plate of Mexican food, too. Eek. It did make me feel better, though.

Everyone is so different!

You might poke around at kellymom to see if anything there rings true for you:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html

[RawSun]

I've heard of herbs you can take. Also, make sure that you are having a lot of fluids!

[oceanluv]

I've been 100% raw for 5 days...my milk must not be as rich..my 5 month old is crying to be fed more often.

She does great when I'm raw, meaning that she doesn't spit up but this is what happened last time I went raw. She is wanting to nurse more frequently.

I'm ok with that, and I'm hoping that nursing more will just up my milk supply.

Is there anything I can eat or drink to help it along? Any suggestions? I think someone once told me sesame milk, but i'm not sure.

You might not be consuming enough calories or good fat. As you probably know, your milk supply will increase with the needs of your baby-supply and demand. She might also be going through a growth spurt, and needing more milk. Try not to fret about your milk supply, stress isn't good for you or your babe. Good luck to you. :)

[oceanluv]

Forgot to mention, don't forget to drink lots of water.

[LauraPaulsen]

You might not be consuming enough calories or good fat. As you probably know, your milk supply will increase with the needs of your baby-supply and demand. She might also be going through a growth spurt, and needing more milk. Try not to fret about your milk supply, stress isn't good for you or your babe. Good luck to you. :)

I think you're right about not consuming enough calories...I'm going to eat more today. I'm also going to nurse as much as she wants...this way if my milk is thinner and not as rich..she can just adjust the volume. I'm determined to stay raw. It's better for both of us.

I think she is getting enough milk in volume, it's that her little body is use to richer, fattier milk.

[Bananna]

One of the best first baby foods is mashed avocado! It's a Great food to start them on, and it's got fat if that's what she's needing. She is old enough to start sampling foods.

I know, some people believe in only giving milk for even as long as the first year, but that get's to be a ridiculous amount of drinking!

She could be going through a growth spurt ofcourse...or teething too. Mostly we don't know, and just give them what they want, lol.

[LauraPaulsen]

One of the best first baby foods is mashed avocado! It's a Great food to start them on, and it's got fat if that's what she's needing. She is old enough to start sampling foods.

I know, some people believe in only giving milk for even as long as the first year, but that get's to be a ridiculous amount of drinking!

She could be going through a growth spurt ofcourse...or teething too. Mostly we don't know, and just give them what they want, lol.

I'm one of those mom's who believes in nursing for the 1st year..LOL
At the Earliest 8 mos would be when I introduce any type of solids..That's just my opinion...nothing personal.

I am adding some avacado in my diet..I had bananas and avacado myself..and I'm making Allyssa's Pesto stuffed mushrooms ..so all those nuts should help. I'm also upping my caloric intake.

[MelanieM]

One of the best first baby foods is mashed avocado! It's a Great food to start them on, and it's got fat if that's what she's needing. She is old enough to start sampling foods.

Actually, all the 'experts', including the most mainstream/conventional recommendations, now state to not introduce solids until 6 months +. And even if baby is getting food at a young age, it is really meant for play and socialization, not as a significant form of nutrition.

I agree that you might want to eat a lot of these yummy fatty foods yourself if you are thinking it is the consistency of your milk that is upsetting babe.

Above all, trust your instincts. :)

[Bananna]

well yes, 6 months I agree, but I always found that my babies just got their appetite Between 5-6 months...so you either nurse constantly or you feed them. And for the record, I am not talking anything more than a half teaspoon here and there....like once a day to start. You'd be surprised how such a teansy amount will satisfy them in the beginning!

Was your baby overdue? lol...that might make her 6 months 'technically' anyway. Besides, 6 months give or take ten days or whatever? ...I always through caution to the wind and would start letting them have tastes of a avo or banana...and they Loved it.

...and for the record, ofcourse I do believe in extended breastfeeding...I did breastfeed for 16 months per child. ....gosh, that's like more than 6 years, lol.

That being said, I realize it Is a very individual thing, that's just how I rationalized it in My head and I completely respect your decision to breastfeed exclusively till whatever age you decide. If so, I agree, up your own fat intake and nurse on demand!

[HolyGuacamole]

My daughter showed now interest in solid food 'til she was well over a year old. *chuckle* That was fine with me.

Meanwhile, 12 years later, my little son started grabbing my food right out of my hand and shoving it in his mouth when he was around the 5 months old. I was bummed, actually, as I really wanted to exclusively breastfeed, so I tried to eat mostly when he was sleeping so he would stop grabbing at and crying for my avocados and bananas. :o

I think adding bananas and avocados is a great way to get some fat and energy dense foods into your diet, Laura. I bet you'll see a difference. Let us know!

[Raw Angel Mom]

Baby will have many period of burst of hunger. Like nothing satisfy them, this is normal and intended by mother nature to increase your milk. Once your milk is up, she will calm down with nursing and she will have another period again later one. They have many, just get ready.

Almond, greens seemed to increase the milk for me. Not sure of the other raw ingredient.

[1bigfamily]

I agree with the fats and greens. I was nursing 3 when I first went raw and they did well with lots of avo and lots of greens. hth

[slvoss2009]

Hello,

I have a soon to be 16 month old daughter that still nurses and I am concerned with detoxing. Does anyone have any information about detoxing while nursing? The toxins enter your blood and wouldn't that make them available in my milk? I have a good 60#'s to loose so there is plenty of toxins to eliminate!

I am also worried on what to feed my daughter to ensure she doesn't suffer any deficiencies. I am just starting to look at all that info. I also have an 11 year old son to ensure he has the proper vitamins and minerals in his diet.

I am really excited at turning our lifestyle around and living simpler and healthier. It all makes so much sense and resonates with me at a very deep level. As a parent I am a little scared I don't know quite enough about how to go about nourishing my child properly on an all raw diet.

I have never given my daughter cows milk, cheese or anything because I haven't believed in dairy for many years and I believe it leads to probems.

My daughter was also anemic to due to low iron levels which is now fixed but we are still supplementing to up her stores.

Any resources and experiences you have and will share with me is appreicated more than I could express here.

I am so happy that my hubby is on board and excited! Although, he's not happy about letting go of his coffee!

thank you for time and feedback.

Stacey

[Imani]

Some babies are still not interestedin food at 6 months, do ot rush the food to the child. Increase your fats, through nut milks, and smoothies, and just side muchies like guac, or macadamian nuts, just drink and munch and your milk will return find. She could like some said just have a grow spurt, she will be find if you keep your self good. Keep up ypur calcium, getlots of sunshine for Vit D. be gooood to yourself and she will be fine.
Imani

[rawbabymama]

This is really late, LOL, but kale always increased my milk when I was breastfeeding (I was anywhere from 90%-100% when my baby was <1yr old). My son breastfed continuously. He was always hungry. Raw breastmilk tastes better, so that could be a factor. Just make sure you eat a lot of food to keep your milk up & relax.

My son's first food was avocado (he grabbed it out of my hand at 4mos), his second was very thin dulse (I had to peel the pieces apart so they would dissolve in his mouth). He was always 100% on the charts from age 6 weeks, but, like I said, he nursed all day and all night. Thank heaven for baby slings. :)

[shakti17]

maybe your baby does want some food besides milk - like avocados, fruits. i am still nursing my 2 year old - and he is a milk monster! he also nurses a lot and does not want food much.

his first favorite food was avocados "kakos" and grapes that i cut for him. "banana mash" - bananas and spirolina. also blended apple and grated carrot.

do you take DHA?

just some random ideas.....i am a bit foggy now as the little guy is finally napping after a busy day.