Guest guest Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Breast feeding until age 3 or 4 sounds good, but I was wondering what the experience is like for the mother after the baby's teeth come in? How does one deal with this? Just curious. Also, does breast feeding actually have a contraceptive effect, as I have heard somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2003 Report Share Posted June 3, 2003 Yes, the babies can, and do, bite! And those teeth can come in any time during the first year. Our daughter found that her babies learned quickly that if they bite, then lunch goes " bye-bye " for awhile. Because of they way that they must suckle, they cannot bite when they are actively nursing, the tongue is in the way. If they are biting, they are " diddling around " . Of course, by the time they are older, they are old enough to know not to bite. The discomfort of teeth is more of an issue during the first year. Good breast feeding support is essential for successful nursing in our culture. The Pacific Northwest is the strongest region in the nation for breastfeeding rates and support, and the Southeast/deep South has the lowest rates of breastfeeding. Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland was the first hospital in the US to receive the World Health Organization's " Baby Friendly " hospital award for their breastfeeding support. Re. the contraceptive effect: breast feeding is believed to have about a 95% effectiveness re. contraception, but that's assuming exclusive breastfeeding, with no supplemental anything, including solids. Once the supplements and solids are introduced, then that effectiveness drops. Even when exclusively breast feeding, I would still recommend a back-up contraceptive method, preferably not hormonally-based, because those seem to negatively affect milk production, even those that supposedly don't. Sue Orion (Stephen) [qrhythm] Monday, June 02, 2003 12:59 PM RawSeattle [RawSeattle] Re: breastfeeding Breast feeding until age 3 or 4 sounds good, but I was wondering what the experience is like for the mother after the baby's teeth come in? How does one deal with this? Just curious. Also, does breast feeding actually have a contraceptive effect, as I have heard somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 Hi gang, For your information: All mammmals in the entire kingdom, without exception, breastfeed/nipplefeed their young for a period of time 2X the gestation period. So for us that would mean 9months + 9 months = 18 months ---- minimum. Alexa has her first tooth and yes I am looking forward to providing firm direction when she first decides to comfort her gums by biting down. smiles your way, joyce > " Sue Aberle " <sue >RawSeattle ><RawSeattle > >RE: [RawSeattle] Re: breastfeeding >Mon, 2 Jun 2003 17:12:50 -0700 > >Yes, the babies can, and do, bite! And those teeth can come in any time >during the first year. Our daughter found that her babies learned quickly >that if they bite, then lunch goes " bye-bye " for awhile. Because of they >way that they must suckle, they cannot bite when they are actively nursing, >the tongue is in the way. If they are biting, they are " diddling around " . >Of course, by the time they are older, they are old enough to know not to >bite. The discomfort of teeth is more of an issue during the first year. > >Good breast feeding support is essential for successful nursing in our >culture. The Pacific Northwest is the strongest region in the nation for >breastfeeding rates and support, and the Southeast/deep South has the >lowest >rates of breastfeeding. Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland was the first >hospital in the US to receive the World Health Organization's " Baby >Friendly " hospital award for their breastfeeding support. > >Re. the contraceptive effect: breast feeding is believed to have about a >95% effectiveness re. contraception, but that's assuming exclusive >breastfeeding, with no supplemental anything, including solids. Once the >supplements and solids are introduced, then that effectiveness drops. Even >when exclusively breast feeding, I would still recommend a back-up >contraceptive method, preferably not hormonally-based, because those seem >to >negatively affect milk production, even those that supposedly don't. > >Sue > > >Orion (Stephen) [qrhythm] >Monday, June 02, 2003 12:59 PM >RawSeattle >[RawSeattle] Re: breastfeeding > >Breast feeding until age 3 or 4 sounds good, but I was wondering what >the experience is like for the mother after the baby's teeth come in? >How does one deal with this? Just curious. >Also, does breast feeding actually have a contraceptive effect, as I >have heard somewhere? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 I've found that if you gently pinch the baby's nose shut they will open their mouths to breathe, as opposed to ripping your nipple out of their mouths and screaming in pain (which often delights them). Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Does anyone have any advice for changing to a totally raw diet while breastfeeding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 > Does anyone have any advice for changing to a totally raw diet > while breastfeeding? Well, first of all I think changing to a totally raw diet takes a little while, it really doesn't happen overnight. I think most people on this list would agree that to change over gradually from 75% for the first month, maybe 85% raw the second month and then you can go 90% for the third month, all the while detoxing. By the fourth month you are more able and knowledgeable to be 100% raw, your body more accepting of 100% raw. I am still nursing my 14 month old and 13 weeks pregnant on a raw diet. I fell off raw for a while and my baby was a MONSTER for it, looking back I don't know what possessed me, perhaps it was the pregnant cravings, but am I ever glad I'm back. I was about 95% raw before I got pregnant and I think it attributes to the reason I was able to concieve in the first place. It takes me alot of juicing to keep producing and I feel like I'm eating something ALL the time to keep my baby happy. But in the end, it's all totally worth it. My unimmunized son has never been sick a day in his life, not even a diaper rash. He loves all types of fruits and veggies and when his grandmother offers him cooked food or meat or sugar he totally spits it out-I love it, she doesn't agree with my choices-tough!! I am a stay at home mom and I have the time to grow my own veggies and juice them, I make my own seed cheeses, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, etc....If you have the time, it is worth it all. Good luck, if you have more specific questions, you are more than welcome to e-mail me directly. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 I am not a female but I would not change to complete raw while breast feeding. I would be concerned about detoxing and having that detox going directly to the breast milk. Personally I would wait until you are done with that and then change, or change at a slow rate to atleast minimize it. On the other hand is slow detox for a long period of time any better than a huge burst of detox? rawfood , " ky_wendylynn " <ky_wendylynn@h...> wrote: > Does anyone have any advice for changing to a totally raw diet while > breastfeeding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 rawfood , " ky_wendylynn " <ky_wendylynn@h...> wrote: > Does anyone have any advice for changing to a totally raw diet while > breastfeeding? I thought I'd pass on this wonderfully interesting article I found on www.living-foods.com, enjoy: Nutritional Programming for Pregnancy and Nursing Mothers By Prof. Rozalind A Gruben HLC AHSI RSA Copyright: All rights reserved Rozalind A Gruben July 2000 Considerations for Pregnant Women The nutritional intake of the mother has direct influence upon the course of pregnancy and the outcome. Any malnutrition that occurs in the early months of the pregnancy affects the development of the fetus and its ability to survive. If the mother's nutritional intake is poor during the latter months of pregnancy the growth of the fetus is affected. Every system of the mother's body is affected, to some degree, by pregnancy. The changes that influence nutritional requirements include: · alterations in metabolism · increased demands for glucose · changes in gastrointestinal function · increase in blood volume · increase in total body weight Metabolism Due to the progressively increasing demands of the maternal tissues, and fetal demands for oxygen the metabolic rate increases throughout pregnancy from about the fourth month onwards. By full term it has speeded up by 15% - 20%. As a result the requirement for calories increases proportionately. Blood Sugar In addition to the faster metabolic rate, the actual metabolism of nutrients is also altered. The primary fuel source of the fetus is glucose. If the mother has in insufficient intake of sugars in the diet she will be forced to rely, to a significant degree, on stored body fat for fuel. If this happens the mother will experience a voracious appetite and feel lethargic. Both of these symptoms are considered `normal' during pregnancy by conventional health care professionals but are easily corrected by including sufficient fruit in the diet to support the needs of both mother and baby. The intake of fruit is so inadequate in some mother's diets that they have declined into a diabetic state by the latter stages of pregnancy. Gastrointestinal changes The primary cause of nausea and vomiting, typical during the first trimester, is intense processes of detoxification conducted by the body in order to create as pristine an environment as possible for the growing fetus. Other causes of `morning sickness' may include: · Hypoglycemia, induced by insufficient sugar intake · Decreased gastric motility. When the dietary history of the mother is one of insufficient fibre, content resulting in a slow transit time, the presence of the expanding uterus and shifts in maternal posture compound the problem. In addition, there is an increased production of progesterone that occurs during pregnancy in order to relax smooth muscle cells. This is an important adaptation by the body in order to allow the uterus to expand and accommodate the growing fetus. The adaptation also has the effect, however, of reducing gastric motility as it relaxes the musculature of the gut. Although there are disadvantages of reduced gastric motility, (such as constipation, esophageal reflux and heartburn) the benefit is that nutrient absorption increases. The likelihood of constipation and heartburn increases as the pregnancy progresses due to the progressive displacement of the stomach and intestines caused by the enlarging uterus. · Relaxation of the cardiac sphincter · Anxiety Women suffering from `morning sickness' are best advised to eat small frequent meals in as simple combinations as they can. A series of mono fruit meals, where just one type of raw fruit is eaten as a meal, is an excellent choice and may provide significant relief. Complex, spicy or high fat meals will all make the nausea worse. Blood Volume Total body water increases throughout pregnancy to some degree but the severe odema, typically seen in pregnant women, is neither natural nor a sign of health. As the body undergoes intense detoxification processes, in order to provide the developing fetus with a pristine environment, much mobilization of toxins takes place. In order to dilute these poisons the body retains abnormally large quantities of water. This increase in water results in an increase in blood volume that exceeds the normal maternal increase in red blood cells. The result is hemodilution and consequent `physiologic anemia of pregnancy'. This is just one of the reasons why it behooves a woman to attain as high a standard of health as possible, through correct diet and lifestyle practices, before conceiving. Weight Gain and Calories Increases (in pounds) of total body weight by full term Considered `normal' by conventional doctors: Naturally healthy Weight of baby 7.5 7 Placenta 1.5 1.5 Increase in maternal blood volume 4 4 Increase in maternal fluid volume 4 1 Increases in uterus 2 2 Increase in breast tissue 2 1.5 Amniotic fluid 2 2 Fat gain 7 2 TOTAL 30 21 Although it is true to say that an unhealthfully low maternal body weight will produce an underweight baby, it is not true that every woman should be expected to put on a specific amount of fat during pregnancy in order to give birth to a baby of healthy body weight. Most women in the western world carry excess body fat to begin with and have no need to gain more in order to complete a successful pregnancy. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with prolonged labour and maternal complications. The standard medical recommendation, of gaining one pound per week throughout pregnancy, typically results in many new mothers having a problem with obesity following the birth of their baby. A gain in actual body fat of up to a maximum of 3 pounds is within healthy boundaries, increases exceeding that amount are detrimental to the health of both mother and baby. A gain of up to 1 pound in water may also be considered healthful but beyond that is a sign of toxic overload. An increased need for calories does not manifest until the beginning of the second trimester. A 300 calorie increase per day, after this time, is all that is required. There is an increased need for certain nutrients in the diet but these needs are easily met simply by an increase in caloric intake, providing those calories are coming from a healthful diet based on raw fruits and vegetables. Preeclampsia If a pregnant woman demonstrates very rapid and excessive weight gain (2 lbs a week or more after the 20th week of gestation) that is accompanied by hypertension, fluid retention, albuminuria, headaches and visual disturbances advice from a health care professional must be sought. Notes on Specific Nutrients Folic Acid The diet needs to be sufficient folic acid both before conception and during the first month of pregnancy. Where folic acid is insufficiently provided the risk of the baby being born with neural tube defects (such as spina bifida, anencephaly) is significantly increased. Foods rich in folic acid include oranges and other citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli and asparagus. B12 Because vitamin B12 is needed for the metabolism of folate it is important that pregnant women ensure they are not deficient in this nutrient. B12 deficiency is a global problem due to the loss of our planets topsoil. If a deficiency is suspected in a pregnant woman it may be the best course of action for her to take a vegan supplement. Calcium It is commonly assumed that a pregnant woman needs to increase her intake of calcium. This is not so as calcium absorption more than doubles early in pregnancy. Providing the mother is consuming an abundance of raw vegetables and fruits, is not causing calcium to be leached from her body as a result of consuming foods high in acid minerals, or indulging in other acid forming lifestyle habits such as smoking, she will have no risk of a calcium deficiency. Iron The need for iron does increase significantly during pregnancy but the absence of menstruation largely compensates for this. Iron is needed as a constituent of the increased maternal blood volume as well as for fetal liver storage. As with all other minerals, the best source of iron is raw vegetables. Iron supplements are not recommended except in exceptional circumstances. The side effects of iron supplementation include nausea and constipation both of which are already an issue for many pregnant women. Sodium Sodium requirements increase during pregnancy in order to maintain normal levels in the expanded blood volume and tissues. The ingestion of refined salt is highly detrimental to health of both mother and baby. Adequate sodium can easily be secured by the including a daily serving of celery. The following chart lists the recommended daily allowances according to `Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice' by Susan G. Dudek R.D,C.D.N.,B.S. NUTRIENT NON-PREGNANT PREGNANT LACTATING Protein (g) 46 60 65 Vit A (ug) 800 800 1300 Vit D (ug) 5.0 5.0 5.0 Vit E (mg) 15 15 19 The Importance of Raw Foods During Pregnancy One of the primary challenges to the maternal body is that of producing a greater volume of blood, keeping it circulating and delivering oxygen to the developing fetus. Consuming cooked food reduces the mother's ability to fulfill this important task. The amino acids cystine and methionine both contain sulfur and have vital roles in the transportation of oxygen. When exposed to heat in the presence of water the sulphur is split off leaving an inorganic and incomplete molecule that is unusable by the body. Cystine is needed for the formation of red corpuscles. During cooking its sulfur is split off rendering it useless. Methionine is an important constituent of body serum, haemoglobin and tissue. The loss of its sulfur as a result of cooking also renders it unusable by the body. The maternal body is greatly impaired in its ability to deliver oxygen to the developing fetus when cooked proteins are consumed. Healthful Sources of Cystine and Methionine Cystine Alfalfa sprouts, apples, brazil nuts, beets, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, currents, cauliflower, filberts, kale, pineapples and raspberries. Methionine Apples, brazil nuts, cabbages, cauliflower, hazelnuts, kale and pineapples The toxic residues of cooked fats, including acroleic acid, gain easy access to the body of the growing fetus via the maternal bloodstream. These carcinogens can set into motion the development of mutated (cancerous) cells in the baby's body, before it is even born. Heated fats also result in the blood becoming `sticky' and prone to the development of clots within the circulating blood. Pregnant women already have a higher risk of thrombosis than in their non- pregnant state. Consuming cooked food, and therefore heated fats, increases that risk significantly. It also introduces a greater likelihood of blockages occurring in the vessels of the fetus. The ability of the maternal body to supply the fetus with the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for its development is also greatly impeded by the consumption of cooked food. Virtually all these nutrients are either destroyed, compromised, perverted or deranged when subjected to the heat of cooking. Additional Considerations Heartburn This is a condition very common amongst women consuming an unhealthful diet. The answer is not to medicate but to correct the diet. During the latter stages of pregnancy (the third trimester) heartburn may be caused by the size of the uterus impeding intestinal function. When this occurs it is best to avoid lying down or bending forwards after a meal. Constipation The increased progesterone levels that occur during pregnancy may result in a reduced intestinal motility and consequent constipation. The pressure of the fetus against the intestines may also be a cause of constipation. The consumption of especially fibrous vegetables, such as cabbage, can help to alleviate the situation, as can a small helping of flax seeds. The avoidance of overeating or becoming dehydrated are both especially important during pregnancy if bowel function is to remain productive. The Nutritional Needs of Nursing Mothers If the mother's diet is inadequate to support the production of her breast milk nutrients will be leached from her own body to make up the lack, especially in the cases of calcium and folate. It is the vitamin content of the milk that is most likely to be diminished in the presence of a poor maternal diet, most notably vitamins B6,B12,A and D. Calories Calorie requirements are proportional to the amount of milk produced and are higher during lactation than pregnancy. The average calorie content of breast milk produced by westernised mothers is 70 calories per 100mL. The mother uses approximately 85 calories to produce this. It is typical for a woman to use 640 calories per day during the first six months of nursing her baby. This tends to drop down to 510 calories per day during the second 6 months. The decision as to weather a woman should increase her daily calorie intake while nursing depends upon the amount of body fat she is carrying. If she gained unnecessary fat during her pregnancy, nursing may be used as an opportunity to reduce it. Women who begin nursing below a healthy body weight need to increase their daily calorie intake by at least 650 during the first 6 months of breast-feeding. Protein Standard nutritional texts recommended that the diet of a nursing mother consist of 16% protein. However, due to the increase in total calorie intake, and consequent increase in protein that accompanies such a change, this may be seen as an inappropriate guideline. A protein intake of 10% - 12% is sufficient. Protein consumed in excess of requirements is detrimental to the health of both mother and baby. Fluid If the diet is healthful (based on raw fruits and vegetables) it will contain a large percentage of water. Any additional water intake should be done in accordance with thirst. Drinking when not thirsty will not increase the volume of milk production. Vitamins and Minerals Most of the requirements for vitamins and minerals increase during pregnancy. Women typically present milk inadequate in calcium, magnesium, zinc, B6 and folate. Sufficient vitamin and mineral intake can be amply provided for by the raw fruits and vegetables. Supplements are not recommended. Mega doses of certain vitamins and minerals can cause fetal deformities and other abnormalities. Substances Especially Important to Avoid while Pregnant and Nursing Not all mothers are willing to adhere to a healthful diet. In such cases there are certain substances that they are well advised to exclude from their diet, despite the presence of other unhealthful eating habits. Fish Due to the likelihood of ingesting dioxin, PCB's and other lethal chemicals concentrated within the flesh of fish. These contaminants rapidly enter blood stream and the breast milk therefore threatening the life of the baby both during gestation and while nursing. Certain fish, such as swordfish and shark, are highly contaminated with mercury. The fetal brain is especially vulnerable to damage from mercury and poisoning can result in delays in walking and talking as well as cerebral palsy, seizures and mental retardation. Other types of fish that are likely to be heavily contaminated with mercury or with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) are bluefish, striped bass, and freshwater fish such as salmon, pike, trout and walleye). Alcohol Alcohol causes damage to the developing fetus in many ways including dehydrating the fetal cells leaving them dead and functionless. It can also cause secondary nutrient deficiencies due to its detrimental impact upon the baby's processes of absorption, metabolism and excretion. Maternal drinking of alcohol can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) a condition that is characterized by varying degrees of physical and mental growth failure and birth defects. Some degree of intellectual impairment is frequently reported in children with FAS. The author has noted that within clinical practice there has been evidence of a strong correlation between women drinking heavily of alcohol while pregnant and the incidence of epilepsy amongst their off-spring. Not only does alcohol hinder lactation but it also easily enters the breast milk poisoning the baby's system, placing a heavy toxic load on the liver and predisposing the baby to neural conditions. Caffeine When the mother consumes caffeine it is transmitted to her baby via her breast milk. This can result in the baby experiencing gastro- intestinal problems as well as skin rashes. Babies whose mothers ingest caffeine are prone top restlessness and irritability. Caffeine is known to be a predisposing factor in cases of miscarriage. Artificial Sweeteners There is a wide range of these chemical cocktails available today and many nursing mothers are drawn to them in the hope of losing excess weight gained during pregnancy. All of these sweeteners are toxic and can cause a variety of health problems for the nursing baby. Saccharin actually crosses the placenta and gains access to the tissues of the growing fetus, where it remains due to the slow fetal clearance. Toxic Fluids During both pregnancy and nursing the need for water is increased. During pregnancy it is needed for many reasons including the creation of greater blood volume. During nursing it is needed for the creation of breast milk. It is typical, therefore, for women to experience an increase in thirst during these times. The tendency to respond to thirst during these times by ingesting all manner of toxic beverages such as tea, coffee, sodas and other commercial drinks is common. A diet high in water such as provided by raw fruits and vegetables goes a long way in answering this need. Any additional thirst should be responded to by the drinking of pure water. Important Notes Sun Sufficient exposure to natural sunlight is vital for both pregnant and nursing mothers. Sleep A pregnant woman has a far more extensive need for rest and sleep that when in her non-pregnant state. If this need is not met all aspects of her digestion, absorption, uptake, transportation, utilization and elimination of foods will be severely compromised. Exercise By maintaining an appropriate type and intensity of physical activity both pregnant and nursing mothers will be able to sustain better health for themselves and for their babies. love & light, Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Thank you, Kris. That was very informative. I am going all raw tomorrow. I feel like I have been getting myself ready and that now is the time. ~Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 rawfood , " ky_wendylynn " <ky_wendylynn@h...> wrote: > Thank you, Kris. That was very informative. I am going all raw tomorrow. > I feel like I have been getting myself ready and that now is the time. > ~Wendy Hi Wendy, I am so happy for you, just the fact that you are listening to your body is a huge step towards healing and a new life-start for you and your baby. I send you strength during those first days/weeks, it is tough to not eat that one favorite food, especially when you are hungry-which btw, DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HUNGRY. Always have something ready that you can just grab and eat. Once you get hungry, for that short minute that it takes to prepare something, your mind starts drifting to......my favorite cheat food was bread. Although I always ate it with avocado, it's still bread!!!! Keep up the liquids, it will be beneficial to both you and the baby, it will increase your milk. BTW, taste your milk before and after and notice the difference, it's amazing, even the texture changes. Don't feel like you're a terrible person if you do fall off, that stress alone will be felt by both parties, if you fall of it's just your body telling you to slow down detox, not to worry. Try not to be too hard on yourself. All my best, Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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