The Frugivore Diet

Foremilk/Hindmilk Imbalance, Oversupply, Overactive Letdown

2015-08-10T23:09:13.000Z

Hey yall. I'm a breastfeeding high carb raw till dinner vegan breast feeder. I have a really strong supply of milk. I guess it's a good problem... But I also have a very forceful letdown. Anyway my poor baby girl coughs and chokes and has lots of tummy trouble that seems to be caused by too much foremilk and not enough hind milk as well as swallowing lots of air. If any of you dealt with this problem, did you find a way to fix it? As much as I hate to do this, I'm wondering if all the fruit sugar is part of the foremilk oversupply. I also heard maybe greens and proteins can cause this so... I don't know anything >_<<br />Thanks in advance for advice or ideas =)

vegan pregnancy

2015-05-30T05:26:41.000Z

my first trimester for sure was trying. it was sooo physically taxing and it came right at a time when i fell off the raw vegan wagon. (stayed vegan for sure, of course, but i was eating a lot of cooked, processed vegan junk food. . .)

anyway, i've been eating high raw again and i'm drinking a lot of smoothies and eating a lot of organic fruits and i'm finally (so relieved to be) in the honeymoon phase of the second trimester.

anyway. now i'm on the path to having the most natural childbirth possilbe. please help if you can. if you know anything about pregnancy or have any insights at all. i'm wanting an unassisted water birth and i'm wanting to be in a natural environment all the while, with myself and my partner.

after we have our baby, we wish to do some more natural parenting, including elimination communication. . .

have you had any experience in the above areas and can you give me any advice or insights? mahalos <3

▼

Pregnancy Vent Session

2015-05-27T19:58:22.000Z

Hello all! I recently went in for my 30 week check up and I must vent a little. My doctor told me to completely cut sugar out of my diet..I was blown away. I know I should be totally honest with my doctor, but I didn't tell her that I'm on the raw till four lifestyle. I have a hard enough time defending my way of eating to my significant other and friends and family. I have told her though that I eat fruit almost all day long and in the beginning she was a little concerned, but is now majorly concerned. Which I just don't understand because her excuse before was that she was worried I would fail my gestational diabetes test, but I passed with flying colors! Now she says that I should try and not gain anymore weight. Her reasoning is that she's worried I'll develop preclampsia from the added weight. I was 165 lbs when I got pregnant and had been struggling to get the 15 lbs I gained off from discontinuing my birth control. Once I found out I was pregnant I knew that it obviously wasn't coming off at all until after the pregnancy so it actually was a little relieving because I tend to be very hard on myself when I gain weight. I've gained a healthy 25 lbs so far but because my weight is at 190 lbs I think she feels I'm getting too heavy. She told me it would just be easier to go completely low carb to maintain my weight and even suggested I lose 5 lbs! I have no plans to switch doctors since I only have 10 weeks or less left, but am very frustrated. I plan to incorporate more green veggies into my meals, but I just can't picture myself cutting out fruit I honesty crave throughout the day. Thoughts??

Advice Needed! UTI, antibiotics, then rash. And Group B strep :(

2015-05-15T17:31:45.000Z

I really need advice. I want to do everything natural, but I think I've made some poor choices that have lead me down an unnatural path. :(

It started about a month or so ago when I started having weird mild pains/twinges in my lower abdomen. I assumed since I felt healthy overall that it was just my uterus growing and probably pushing my other organs out of the way. But now I think it was part of my UTI. I went to my 2nd midwife visit a couple weeks ago (I am currently in my 15th week), and they took a lot of blood tests and a urine test. The urine test came back with high cultures of two kinds of bacteria (e.coli. and group B strep) that caused me to have a urinary tract infection. It felt like it definitely turned into a bladder infection because of the location and intensity of the pain I felt. I had assumed that the frequent bathroom trips I had been having were also simply a normal part of being pregnant. I was surprised to find out that I have a UTI because I had been drinking about 3-4 quarts of water (sometimes more) a day.

From what i understand, overgrowth of bad bacteria often happens when there's not enough good bacteria in the gut. About 5 years ago, I found out I had zero good bacteria in my gut so my holistic doctor put me on probiotics which I ended up stopped taking them after a few years. Probably the wrong thing to do given the current circumstance.... but hindsight is 20/20, right? :/

I've talked with a few midwives, one whom prefers to try natural methods first. They all recommended me taking the antibiotic (augmentin 875, 2x a day) to prevent a kidney infection (very serious). The more natural midwife also advised me to take a probiotic specifically formulated for women, such as Fem Dophilis by Jarrow, in addition to D-Mannose or cranberry extract.

So 3 days ago, I started my antibiotic and women's probiotic that also has cranberry extract and Vitamin D (also found out I'm Vit. D deficient, which is crazy because I love the sun and have a healthy sun tan). That same evening, I noticed my hand had some itchy bumps. At first, I figured it was from food allergies because I'm also visiting my in-laws who don't quite understand my special diet. But over the last couple days it has spread to the back of both hands and small patch on my face. Thankfully it doesn't look like bad hives, and it isn't itchy anymore. This morning, I remembered reading in the paper insert that came with the antibiotics that a rare side effect could be a rash and to call the doctor if one occurs.

So I just talked with the prescribing midwife and now she is saying I should take Benadryl. I hate Benadryl and how it makes me feel, so I don't feel comfortable taking it. I also don't want this rash/allergic reaction to get worse. But I also don't want to just cover up these symptoms with a "band-aid".

This is so ridiculous! Medicine is such a slippery slope. :(

Here are the questions now running through my head:

Should I do what the midwife says and take the Benadryl and antibiotic?

What are natural ways to prevent and treat UTI's?

Any advice on why this sun-loving girl is Vitamin D deficient?

Also, with Group B Strep it's recommended to take antibiotics during labor to prevent it's spread to baby... should I do it, or avoid it?

Any advice or opinions are appreciated! :)

Water broken at 32 weeks.

2015-05-01T00:55:29.000Z

Hey Ya'll. Just looking for some more support/experiences/input. I had leaking last Saturday and was originally told it was only urine. Well the following Monday my midwife tested me more thoroughly to discover it was amniotic fluid and my water had broken over the weekend. At only 32 weeks, she had to send me to the nearest major hospital two hours away. One minute my husband and I were at a routine check up thinking about the rest of our plans for the work week, and the next minute we were on the road, moving into the hospital and being told I would likely give birth within days if not immediately. Now we are living here at the hospital simply waiting for birth.What I experienced is apparently called preterm premature rupture of membranes (or pPROM). The doc put me in bed rest hoping to delay labor so my baby can develop more, but they apparently have to weigh the risk of infection against the risks of premature delivery and therefore plan to induce if I make it to 34 weeks. I am thinking if there is no infection and the baby still has amniotic fluid around her I want to wait as MANY WEEKS AS POSSIBLE before delivering, and hoping go into labor naturally.This is a hard thing, but we are praying that our girl can stay in the womb quite a bit longer. Please pray for this miracle with us!

possible Thyroid issues & pregnancy

2015-03-03T16:07:07.000Z

I just found out I am pregnant a few days ago! Yay!

Years ago, my doctors were telling me that I'd most likely have fertility problems because of my hypothyroidism cased by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Since then I've been on a high carb fruit based vegan diet for going on 5 years. Long story short, my thyroid levels improved enough for me to wean myself off my synthroid about 4.5 years ago.

My most recent blood test from december 2013 says my TSH is 2.1 (considered "normal"). Though I regretfully did eat some gluten a few days before the test which I believe affected it. The doctor said that it's better to have TSH closer to 1 if I'm planning on getting pregnant.

I'm sure my thyroid levels have only improved since 2013. But the last couple days my thyroid has been a little achy on and off and it's making me a little concerned. I wonder if I am producing enough thyroid hormone for me and baby?

I plan on working with a midwife and getting my blood levels tested just to be sure. My thoughts are though, that even if my thyroid levels are a bit off, I really don't want to take synthroid again. But is my stubbornness putting my baby at risk for neural tube defects and other issues?

Is there something other than synthroid that can help?

How Much Protein When Pregnant?

2014-12-18T03:40:47.000Z

I'm 3.5 months pregnant now and food aversions are going away so I'm excited to get back to raw or high raw. My midwife has approved my vegan lifestyle but has strongly emphasized getting enough protein (surprise, surprise). The standard recommendation she referenced is 70 grams daily or 280 calories from protein. Technically this is still only 10% if I were to eat 2,800 calories daily but I have found it so hard to eat enough vegetables and raw foods to get this much!! Are protein requirements for a growing baby really this high or is that just the American mindset about protein?

If anyone has stories of healthy births and how much protein they ate or advice on how to get enough without supplements, please let me know!

Thanks so much!

Pregnant, to sick to follow Rawtill4, nausea and low iron...

2014-10-06T01:23:41.000Z

Hey everyone! I am 9 weeks pregnant! Woohoo! I had a miscarriage in december before becoming vegan and it took a while for me to conceive but here i am preggo! yay! Anyways I just have a few questions. I am so nauseous and tired. I have 24/7 nausea that is only relieved by eating bread. Potatoes or any whole foods are gross to me right now. So I am not following RT4 guidelines at all. Most fruit like bananas make me want to throw up. I can stomach a bit of tangy fruit like raspberries. But other then that i'm pretty starched based right now. just wondering if anyone had intense nausea & fatigue in the first trimester and did you still eat RT4 or did you change your diet as needed? Also, I had my iron levels tested a month ago because I had intense hair loss and signs of iron deficiency and sure enough my ferritin is 17.9..which is very low. So I have started trying to eat more iron rich foods. I eat tons of greens (not right now though) and i am just cooking up a big pot of oatmeal right now to have with pumpkin and black strap molassis for meals. Any advice on how to get your iron up during pregnancy. I do try and pair iron rich foods with Vit C rich foods to.

Raw preg and detox

2014-08-29T16:00:09.000Z

Anyone that recently began raw before falling pregnant worried about the detox during pregnancy? Detox can take years from what I understand, but I'm not sure that having cooked food (toxic) to fend off toxins makes much sense. I mean, you can't avoid having toxins in your system by eating toxic foods! But I also don't want a baby with 3 eyes :)

How many calories to give a 19 month old?

2014-05-25T23:09:30.000Z

Do you worry about calories?

Also, do you give more fat, and until what age if so.

Much appreciated,

Julie

Nursing my toddler, trying to conceive with no success...

2014-05-24T15:37:51.000Z

Hey everyone,

My son is 2 1/2 and he is still nursing.

I want to get pregnant but I am having a hard time and I think it is because I am still nursing him. I am ovulating and I am getting my cycle every 2 months. I have heard of tons of ladies getting pregnant while still nursing, so I am wondering if you could share some tips or advice on how to conceive while still nursing. I am hoping to cut back my son to just a few times a day and none at night because he is approaching 3 and I'd like to have him weaned soon.

Any advice or sharing of experience in this would be great.

Thanks a ton

Anyone concerned about loss of breast milk, and what to replace it with?

2014-05-24T15:22:40.000Z

I am currently pregnant with my 2nd, and ds is now 18 mo.

Think my milk supply is dwindling because of the hormones. Was wondering if anyone had experienced this and if there are any suggestions of what to replace it with.

~Thanks in advance~

Healing Eczema and Candida (Thrush)

2014-03-30T15:10:38.000Z

Our 2 month old baby has thrush ( oral candida and diaper rash ) and eczema from a lowered immune system - liver toxins overload from living in a mold infested house. We moved 2 weeks ago and i went from low fat high carb vegan ( during pregnancy and postpartum, mostly fruit but also cooked starches and veggies ) to cutting out all overt fats. Today is our 3rd day ALL raw vegan low fat to help cure baby. Less than 10% overt fats but will cut them out completely if i must. We are documenting 30 day HCRV on youtube and posting it on 30BADhttp://www.30bananasaday.com/video/low-fat-raw-vegan-30-day-challenge-healing-thrush-candida-and-1And i am avoiding all nightshades - todays is my first day. Just learned that nightshades trigger eczema yesterday (tomatoes, red peppers, hot peppers, eggplant and potatoes! ).The most helpful info i have read so far :Candida overgrowth causes eczema - detoxing the candida toxins through the skinEczema is from liver toxicity, environmental and food allergiesGenerally low fat raw vegan and liver detox through juicing and green smoothies cures eczemaThrush/candida is cured by no overt fat 100% HCRVCandida overgrowth is caused by stress, antibiotic use, mold allergy, too much fat in diet or improper food combining.Antibiotics include garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, turmeric.Newborn babies have extremely sensitive immune and digestive systems and it is easy for them to get out of balance.We had an unassisted home water lotus birth with 40 day baby-moon. Practicing breastfeeding on cue, co- sleeping, skin to skin as much as possible, elimination communication (diaper free) and attachment parenting (carrying in arms and not leaving to cry).I've experienced stitches, fevers, mastitis, plugged duct, colic, food allergies, mold allergies, some post partum depression and now candida/thrush and eczema - if you have any questions or advice, please comment or message me :)http://www.30bananasaday.com/video/low-fat-raw-vegan-30-day-challenge-healing-thrush-candida-and-1

image.jpg

Pregnancy Resources!? HELP!

2014-02-06T15:48:05.000Z

I am pretty sure I may be pregnant, and if so I plan to keep on eating 80/10/10. I have looked up all of the important nutrient changes and made notes, but the fat issue is daunting to me at this point. I feel like there is a huge lack of resources here, and am thankful for this board, even though the pregnancy board is a bit sparse - anyway,

I am basically looking for any good 80/10/10 resources. I can't find any books specific to this and I am specifically looking to find out what is the fat requirement for pregnancy? Of course most people are going to tell you 25-30% but I know this is probably way too much.

Anyone have any info or place you can point me to figure this out? Can you stay on 80/10/10 or do you need to alter that to include more fat. I know the 75 g flat rate for pregnant mums is too much, at least for me. Maybe I'll get 75g towards the end when I have gained 25 lbs or so, but for my weight right now I need only 56g. So that is good to know.

Not to sure at math, but I'm not sure if that will change the ratio or not. I guess I can just focus on grams instead of percent on chronometer and see. I still have yet to find an actual grams requirement for pregnancy.

Thank you!

Miscarriage at 6 weeks.. Help please!

2013-12-18T18:50:00.000Z

Hey everyone I am currently miscarrying at 6 weeks. Doctor found no heartbeat and that same evening I started miscarrying. I ent for an ultrasound and no baby was found. Last night I had intense cramping and nausea and have been passing clots all night and now today. I am in so much pain both physically and emotionally. This is my 2nd pregnancy and first miscarriage. Any tips or advice for me right now on how to get through this? Are there any specific vitamins or minerals or anything you found useful during this time?

LFRV Families & Breastfeeding/Doula/Spiritual Pregnancy Advice

2013-07-10T23:01:31.000Z

Hi guys,

I haven't been very active on this website or this group in quite awhile. I've been doing a lot of traveling and now I'm in the midst of a 30 day challenge to finally release a lot of the projects I've been working on for the past few years.

Some of you may not know that I am the creator of this group. I just wanted to let you know, I'd love to communicate and hear your stories I just don't have time to keep up with this website and my own website and blogs and other projects.

If you want to get in touch with me or create even more of a community on the pregnancy/postpartum and breastfeeding topics please join us at www.lfrvfamilies.com

Even at that website a lot will be changing in the coming weeks to make the community stronger and more efficient and to provide better support to us all.

If you're also feeling inclined to help me get my projects/guidebooks finished feel free to find me on fiverr.com at featherstory where I offer a health advice gig, where I'll gladly give breastfeeding and doula advice, and give you a second gig for free. Just mention lfrvfamilies or 30bad.

http://fiverr.com/featherstory/advise-you-on-natural-living-or-spirituality-intuitive-healing

Also, there will be a big promotion/support aspect to the website in the coming weeks so if there is something you'd like to promote, feel free to let me know via pm on lfrvfamilies, I'll be compiling a list and scheduling spotlights on members and member projects.

I hope you all are doing well and hope to see you over on the other site. :)

Transitioning and Detoxing while Breastfeeding

2013-06-08T23:10:34.000Z

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant, and got about 2 weeks to go before I deliver unless the baby decides to come soon. I am transitioning into the HCRV lifestyle, and wanted to know if I would end-up detoxing as I transition. Mainly if I do detox, will it affect my breast milk? I have high hopes to successfully breastfeed this baby around, the other 2 were not as successful. My youngest is 8, and I really have hopes to breastfeed this time for benefits to the baby and myself.

I've tried looking and am not coming up with good details, so I figured I'd ask those who are aware of how transitioning into this lifestyle affects breast milk.

Any additional pointers would greatly help considering this is hopefully the first time I will be successfully breast feeding. :)

Study: Date Fruit can lead to shorter, easier labor

2013-05-20T04:21:52.000Z

For all those who are currently pregnant, I just read this study about how women who consumed just 6 dates per day in the last month of pregnancy experienced shorter and 'easier' labors:

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/can-eating-dates-lead-to-a-shorter-labor/

Then if you go on to read the comments, there are numerous people who say that this is common knowledge in the middle east - it is a tip that mothers and grandmothers pass on through generations. Apparently the Quran speaks of eating dates while in labor.

I just thought this was super interesting! I hope it's true because obviously I've been eating a ton of dates!

My toddler has thrush and tooth decay. I need some suggestions.

2013-04-24T06:57:13.000Z

First the tooth decay:

I exclusively breastfed my daughter for nearly the whole first year of her life. Then I introduced some high-carb foods into her diet, including cooked rice and pasta and of course fruit. Shortly after, I started noticing her two front teeth were starting to decay. They have been getting worse ever since (almost six months ago). I blame the grains and my own high-fat diet. I haven't been able to take her to a dentist but I don't feel that they would be helpful anyway and would blame it on breastfeeding (which I don't plan on stopping for quite a while). I know that's not the case and I feel that the only thing that might remedy the situation is changing my own diet (I'm doing a 30 day challenge - on or before May 1st - to get me started) and only allowing her to have breast milk, fruits and greens. I started using coconut oil in an attempt to treat her tooth decay (similar to oil pulling). But I really worry about the fat content if she swallows any of the oil which is bound to happen since she is only a year old.

Some questions: Should I stop using the coconut oil or is there a way that I can use it that might have similar benefits to oil pulling? Is there something else I should be using besides just water to brush her teeth with? How much fruits and greens should a one-year old be consuming in addition to breast milk.. and are there any resources you know of regarding children's nutrition in relation to 811? Is there anything I can do besides the diet to help her body remineralize those teeth?

The other problem:

She developed oral trush a couple of days ago and I have been treating it with baking soda and coconut oil. Of course I worry about the salt content and the fat content and while I know the 811 diet will get rid of it, I'm not sure what else I can do for short-term relief except get pharmaceutical treatment which I absolutely do not want to do. I know the thrush wasn't caused by the oil because I also have some candida stuff going on. All of the "natural treatments" I've found on the internet (baking soda, vinegar, grapefruit seed extract) seem scary, to say the least. Essentially I'm just trying to prevent the trush from getting worse or spreading while our bodies work on healing once we are eating properly.

I'm also wondering though, will the baking soda cause more harm than good? If so, what else can I use to keep her symptoms at bay?

If anybody has an answer to these questions or any additional suggestions, they will be so greatly appreciated. I know I need to change my diet ASAP. High-fat and grain-based diet is not doing either of us any good. Thanks for your time!

Has anyone successfully breastfed and remained vegan? Please help...

2013-02-26T12:14:11.000Z

Hi all,Im a nursing mumma to my 4 and a half month old baby girl. Since her birth i have been mostly eating a high raw vegan diet. She's been really settled, sleeping like an angel and basically just content. The problem, however was she really wasnt growing much at all. I mean at four months, she was still wearing newborn clothes. Since she's my fourth, I had certain expectations in regards to growth and development and she's quite slow compared to my others. When i took her to the doctor for a check up at four months,she was quite concerned that her growth on the charts that they use had dropped down even more. (she was born in the 60th percentile, then dropped down to the 25th at 10 weeks, and was down in the 10th at 16 weeks). Also, she wasnt rolling or even really trying to grab things. So I did some searches on the net and got really freaked out that maybe my diet was to blame. Really worried as my doctor was talking about sending bub to a pediatrician for testing, I started eating things like eggs (my chickens) and cheese. Ive also been eating alot more cooked food these past couple of weeks.Anyway we went back for a check up today and she has put on 300g and grown 2cm which means we dont have to go to the pediatrition! Shes also now rolling every day and grabbing for things. Obviously this is a relief, but now she seems to be getting tummy pains, is waking up several times through the night, spewing a little bit after feeds and just generally less settled. I also dont feel as good and i really dont want to eat dairy for ethical reasons, but Im just so conflicted! I want the best for my baby but Im not sure what that is anymore.Has anyone else on here been eating a HCRV diet whilst breast feeding? And did you have healthy, growing bubs?Not sure what to do, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How was your raw vegan pregnancy?

2013-01-27T04:34:13.000Z

I'm newly raw vegan and just found out I'm pregnant (only a few weeks along) and I'm just wondering about swelling and weight gain.. With baby number 1 I was sooooo swollen and couldn't keep anything down.. So far with this pregnancy I don't feel any different (except for a loss of appetite) and I'm just wondering if anyone on this lifestyle experienced the whole swollen feet and extreme morning sickness deal?Any stories good or bad would be helpful!

Switched to HCRV while nursing

2013-01-05T02:57:01.000Z

Hello! I am very new to HCRV (today is day 4) & was wondering if the calorie recommendations are the same for nursing mamas. Also, has anybody here successfully dropped baby weight while nursing?

Placentas

2012-12-15T16:36:17.000Z

http://www.30bananasaday.com/forum/topics/placentas

I posted in Off Topic chat looking for some placenta stories. Check it out and share your story. Or you can share it here. Or send it to me privately.

Need some reassurance and testimonials... (about sugar)

2012-12-05T19:20:29.000Z

Hi there, I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and seeing a few midwives at a local birthing center. Today they talked to me about nutrition. They were very anti-sugar of course. They said that when pregnant women consume a lot of sugar, it goes to the baby, and these babies tend to be chubbier and have a larger head/shoulders compared to their bodies making birth difficult.

Have any of you heard of this? Where can I find more information about this? I have tried googling it but haven't found much. I'm wondering if these problems tend to occur in diabetic women / women with poor blood sugar control or women who eat a lot of processed sugar... the midwives would not discern between refined and fruit sugar.

Can all of you high-carb fruity moms reassure me that eating lots of fruit will give me a healthy, normal-sized baby? Thank you!

P.S. I intuitively think fruit is wonderful for pregnancy... it's the plant's uterus...

811 baby in Australia

2012-10-11T09:20:24.000Z

Hello

I live in Estonia, am a raw food chef and tantra courses traslator. I have traveled all over Europe and can speak estonia, english, spanish and a little russian and finnish. I have been on 811 since last november and i'm loving it. But now i really need some fellow 811 people advice and help. Hope you find the time to share maybe your own expirience :)

My boyfriend, is moving to Bundaberg in 18 november, to work for some years. We have been together for 4 years and really happy. I was planning to follow him in december or january.

Yesterday I found out that fruit has a lot on life power and i'm pregnant :) I'm haveing a 811 baby :D I really happy about it but at same time a bit confused. Would i be ok to give birth in Australia? If a wanna a water birth, yoga, good fruit and so, can you give me some suggestions :)

Sunshine, love and seasonal fruit!

Kaija

Vegan Pregnancy Books

2012-09-24T15:26:21.000Z

Hey everyone!

I will be preparing to conceive this year. Can anyone who had a vegan pregnancy, please recommend some good books. I have one and I find it a little unhelpful... the author is ok with the expectant mother taking prescription meds and other similar things that I disagree with.

I'd like a natural, vegan, pregnancy book. Any and all suggestions MORE than welcomed!! Thanks in advance,

Mango Meg

Iron and b12 deficiency - Any tips for the last month of pregnancy?

2012-09-14T04:29:11.000Z

Hi everybody,I'm 35 weeks pregnant with my 4th child. I have tried to be really healthy for most of my pregnancy, eating heaps of greens, drinking nettle tea, eating sunflower seeds, parsley, mushrooms, prunes and dates, however my last lot of blood work showed really low iron and b12. Does anybody have any ideas on how I can boost my levels? I'm taking supplements at the moment, but I'd prefer not to as the iron tablets seem to upset my digestion.Also, if any mamma's have any tips on what I should be doing in the last few weeks to really get my body prepared for childbirth, I am all ears!Thanks for reading this x

Iron and b12 deficiency - Any tips for the last month of pregnancy?

2012-09-14T04:28:12.000Z

Content/Quality of Breastmilk while HCRV

2012-09-09T04:46:29.000Z

So, for those of you breastfeeding or in the know, how does this diet affect breastmilk? I am EBF, and my little boy - who, as I posted a few months ago, showed up 8 days after my water broke, was born unassisted, and is just the healthiest, happiest, calmest 3 month old now - has already doubled his birth weight and gains 8-13 oz every week. He also eats every 2.5-3.5 hours like clockwork. (I feed him on demand, not on a schedule.)

I know that the "studies" out there show different fats in American moms with higher animal protein diets, versus polyunsaturated fats in African moms... but I'm wondering what happens if I'm not eating like a typical American mom? I see fat moms who are also EBF their little ones, but their little ones are FAT! On breastmilk! So what is making them fat? Also, I read that breastmilk can vary in fat from 2-5grams/oz, depending on the mom and depending on foremilk/hindmilk mix.

Oooh and what about taste? I also only buy organic produce, with a few exceptions.

Thoughts or comments, please! :)

What happens when you don't sleep!

2012-07-28T22:46:38.000Z

Just wanted to add a bit of a testimonial which I think for us preggers and nursing moms is most important! Get your sleep!! Even if you have to nap, sleep as much as you can.

The last few months have been full of constant teething for my year old and a little leg cramps and weird abdominal pains for me. All 4 canine teeth are finally through (Praise God!) and I started going to bed just .5-1.5 hrs earlier which is around 10:30p. I had such a difference in attitude, energy, and general wellness that I had to share. The last 2 days I not only felt like walking, but also started jogging and it felt so good! Last night I went to bed after 11p and today I could barely walk a few steps without getting winded from the contractions that are not an issue for me as well as having difficulty being on my feet for the extended periods that I must be to care for everyone. I was also very swollen and so I dropped all the salt/sodium intake - it took a couple days, but I finally have skinny looking legs rather than tree trunks! I realize, now, that all the time I didn't feel like doing most anything, wasn't pregnancy related, but related to the amount of sleep I was getting!!

I am definitely going to keep up with "Sleep, Water, Sugar" and really enjoy the rest of this pregnancy! I have about 7 weeks to go!