Breastfeeding on Raw--Help and Advice, please

[Baby Bird]

I am considering returning to high or 100% raw eating. Previously, eating 100% raw, I lost weight very rapidly. I am currently breastfeeding my 4.5 month old babe, so I really do not want to lose too much too quickly. I figure that rapid weight loss and release of stored toxins will essentially be dosing him with toxins through my milk.

So does anyone have any advice on how to prevent rapid weight loss, or at least to slow it down, while making an effective transition? At the moment, this one issue feels like a giant roadblock (though there may be others). Maybe consuming limited cooked grains? Rice and oats?

[Aleesha Sattva]

Perhaps begin with removing all bread products and dairy as well as any animal products first... then in a week perhaps remove more cooked items until you slowly get to 100% raw.

Then when you are eating raw, include lots of healthy fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, oils).

And watch your babe, s/he will let you know if you are releasing toxins too quickly for them. ;)

[Baby Bird]

Thank you, Aleesha. My tendency is to be all or nothing in my thinking, but your suggestion of a measured and planned series of eliminations makes more sense in this situation.

What signs would you anticipate my little one might send if I was detoxing too quickly? The usual suspects? (ie fusiness, rash, irritability etc)

[Raw Angel Mom]

Just like you, i was 100% raw before i got pregnant and went back to cook food (organic vegetarian). When my child was 15 months, i went back with 100% raw and no problem at all with the milk. I continue to produce milk for her until she was 4. I feel that raw food only made sure that i deliver good quality of milk. The month before i did green smoothie and i naturally did 100% raw just like that after 4 weeks of green smoothie.

Follow your instinct and what feels right in you. Eat almond and many greens. There is also a natural tea that boost your milk. Depending how you do raw food of course, but i felt that it made me detox gently compare to someone that would just go cold turkey and fast. I feel also that by doing raw, you are making sure to only produce good quality of milk for your child versus a milk that have been done with food that contain no more enzyme.

Go for it and know that you are doing a good thing for your child.

p.s. I lost a lot of wait during that time but only because i was sick and my milk didn't stop. I would take e3live.

[reina80]

I am still breastfeeding (practically exclusively) my 7 month old. Over the last 3 weeks I have been about 80% raw - including rice the first week, occasional fish and this last week nothing cooked but quinoa and squash and a little sweet potato. I am starting the 100% raw challenge today. My milk never waned and I never had any detox symptoms except a headache a couple times. Listen to your body (and your baby). Mine is telling me less cooked food as I progress. (I do take a B12 sublingual supplement though).

Oh and I am losing a steady 2 pounds a week, maybe slightly more. I do get alot of fat in-about 30% of my daily intake is healthy fat. I was prepared to use the mother's milk tea but didn't need it. Good luck!

[bing]

Hello All,

I just gone raw the other day. The transition is abrupt, from cooked to all raw. What do you mean by detoxing that will affect my baby? I'm a bit worried. All along I was thinking going raw will make my milk more nutritious for the baby.

P.S. I'm currently taking calcium and malunggay supplements.

[nursinmamaa]

I remember when I went raw the first time several years ago now. I lost my voice, it just disapeared for a week. I have to say I smelled SOOOOOOO bad when I was detoxing. It was awful. I suffered from what was a cold, but it was really detox. It comes out the pores and such and would most likely come out the milk too.
Jill