Prior to reading this chapter I didn’t think it was going to apply to me… too much… However, there was a lot more information than I expected, and it wasn’t all about breastfeeding or formula feeding!
I opt for breastfeeding and thankfully God has blessed me to be able to feed my children in this way. Both of my boys I nursed until around the age of 15 months (because I was 5 months pregnant I wanted a break and weaned them). Aisling (19 months) is still nursing before naps and bedtime and I’ve continued with her since she is allergic to dairy. I figured it was just easier and I didn’t want to have to deal with it! 😉 However… we just found out baby #4 is due at the end of May! So… she will be cut off in the next few months!
But that isn’t about this chapter in [amazon_link id=”0967089735″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nourishing Traditions[/amazon_link]! This chapter has some great recipes for homemade formulas which are fantastic! I hope I never have to use them, but I’m so glad there is that option!
The start of this chapter talks firstly about nutrition pre pregnancy and during pregnancy. Fallon suggests (page 598):
“A good rule for pregnant women is two eggs, raw milk or bone broth, and cod liver oil daily, and liver at least once a week. Appropriate amounts of super foods, such as high-vitamin butter oil, evening primrose, borage or black currant oil, bee pollen, mineral powder, wheat germ oil and acerola powder, will provide optimal amounts of nutrients for your unborn child. Beet kvass and kombucha with their liver-supporting properties, are useful in preventing future morning sickness – as are foods rich in vitamin B6, such as appropriately prepared raw fish and raw meat.”
The eggs, raw milk and bone broth I’m good on! The liver… not so much! 😉 Also with my previous pregnancies I’ve had some mild morning sickness, and would definitely HAVE to eat immediately upon getting out of bed. This time (so far – I’m only about 7 weeks) I haven’t had even a hint…. The only thing I can really think that is different is that raw milk and kombucha have been added to our diets since the start of my last pregnancy. If that is the reason, then it is WELL worth it! I’ve also done better about avoiding sugars and grains and I wonder if just having food that takes longer to digest and provides more long term energy would make a difference as well! Whatever it is, I’m happy!
Back to feeding the babies…. I don’t think I need to talk about the benefits of breastfeeding. Anyone following this blog probably already knows this and doesn’t dispute the facts. Sometimes, just knowing it’s the best, isn’t enough. Some women just aren’t able to breastfeed their babies even if they wanted to and for you my heart is sad. However, don’t feel guilty, know that it isn’t the end of the world. You can still care for your baby and offer them a healthful infancy!
One way is to make homemade formula instead of the commercial. Fallon offers a meat based formula and milk based formula and a way to fortify commercial formula as well! There is also a tea for colic! Thankfully I’ve never had a colicky baby! Fallon also recommends giving baby 1 egg yolk a day after 4 months of age. She says this provides healthy cholesterol needed in brain development, but is quick to state that the whites are hard to digest and shouldn’t be given to baby until at least 1 year of age.
The rest of this chapter gives broad guidelines of what types of foods to introduce at what ages and why. I will be sure to reference this again in about a year! This chapter is a fantastic resource. Although short, there is a lot of information crammed in there!
Enjoy!
Green & Grateful 