Hello,
I am new to the raw lifestyle, however I’m going strong.
I am nursing my five and a half month old daughter exclusively. I don’t plan on giving her solid foods until she is about one year old (hopefully I will have milk supply). I saw a video on youtube with David Wolfe and his explanation as to why breastfeeding exclusively is best for a duration of one year.
What do you think about this? Has any raw mom done this or is doing this? It feels right to me so I want to do it the right way, however I am a little anxious about it just because there is not that much information on nursing exclusively for one year.
As far as nursing goes are you taking any supplements or eating certain types of foods for better/more milk supply?
What about calcium?
All replies/suggestions/ideas/thoughts/opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Comments
You are an awesome mom! I wish I could have breast fed for a whole year, I definately would have, to bad I had to go right back to work. I used to read this magazine called Mothering, I know it’s still around I saw it at Whole Foods the other day and at the book store. I haven’t had a little one in awhile my youngest is 9 but I just remember that magazine having such good information about vaccines, nursing, potty training….all the natural way. I didn’t give my kids solids until they were 1 year old now they are 12 and 9 and they are GREAT. My sister on the other hand started giving her babies cereal and such at about 6 months and her kids are kinda pudgy, not fat but I just hope the don’t have weight problems later. With my kids my only regret in regards to this matter is NOT nursing them and giving them formula instead. I think you are doing the right thing by all means. I also heard some where that by upping your greens intake it can up your milk supply. Your milk is going to have all the nutrition that is completely balanced for your baby if you are worried about calcium how about almonds or kale?
I am about to do this. I only breastfed my son (who is now 2) for two months, but I wasn’t even vegan then. I’ve been vegan for about a year and a half, and a varying but high percentage of raw for about 3 or 4 months. I am now a few days past 40 weeks and very excited to exclusively breastfeed for as long as necessary :) There is SO much information about exclusive nursing, go here for that and so much more :)
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html
I still nurse my baby from time to time… he is 3 1/2 years old!
I let him choose the moment for solid food, and he started at one year with whole pieces of fruit when he just grabbed it. Before that, he didn’t want anything but my milk. Now he eats a lot, a lot, all day long and almost doesn’t need milk (neither mine nor other).
Babies don’t need food until they are ready, it can be six months, it can be eighteen months, if they are with mum’s milk they are fine.
My little girl is 9 months, and she is almost entirely breast fed. I always had it in my mind that I would breast feed her exclusively for a year, but somewhere around 7 months, she showed a VERY keen interest in food, started grabbing stuff off my plate and reaching for whatever I was eating. So now I’ll give her fruit to make her happy. She doesn’t have teeth yet, so sometimes she just gums it.
So you’ll find out what works best for you and your baby.
As for milk supply – Tahini smoothies and green juice work the best for me. Separately, of course…not mixed together.
Hello,
I have 6 children. We have been mostly raw/vegan most of their lives. My 2 boys weined themselves when they were around 20 months old and I was 5 months pregnant. My next 2 girls nursed all through my pregnancy and then continued until they were about 4 1/2 years old. I know that seems excessive, but its what they needed and they are very strong, confident girls now. My last little daughter is 2 1/2 and is still nursing. I will continue until she stops or around 4 1/2.
For the first year they all nursed almost exclusively. I say almost because at around 9 months they may have a bite of banana or avacado, but never a full meal or anything like that.
They are all so very healthy and beautiful. We have only had to go to the doctor a hand full of times and it was usually because of needing stitches or something.
I just ate a balanced diet and ate when I was hungry. I never had an issue with my milk supply (even after 4 1/2 years of nursing :)
Blessings, Cathy
Hi,
I am nursing my 10 months old son and have no a full meal of raw foods yet. But he began to want to try foods so I give him some bananas, avocados and green smooties. I think you should look at your child and act accordingly. The child will show you if she wants or doesn’t want other food then milk. A little bit out of the topic – I read that you are Bulgarians, me too – I will be glad to share ideas on rearing a raw child with you. Best, Gergana
I was not raw when I was nursing my 2 babies, but I nursed on demand until they weaned themselves at about 2 years each. My son, who had NO interest in solid foods until a full year old, did nothing but thrive. As long as your baby continues to thrive, and gain weight, then follow your own maternal instincts.
BTW, my son grew to be nearly 6ft 6 inches tall, and he plays on a national championship (division 1) college sports team.