In an era when most mothers go out of the home to work, it's a wonder any of them try to breast feed their babies. Even though this is a time that won't come again and when the bonding that occurs between mother and baby surpasses just about any other experience we will have in our lives, it's just very difficult to achieve. OK, so suppose you’re a stay-at-home mother and you have only this little one to look after except, of course, his father, who is bound to require some care and feeding even in cases where he is helpful. It takes a lot of time! You will be giving of yourself for hours day and night while the other responsibilities nag at you. Most mothers give up before the first year is out if they last that long. Add to that the fact that you've just been through the ordeal of a nine-month pregnancy and childbirth. You’re not at your best. Also, if you are caring for other children or going off to a job every day, it can be overwhelming. Even so, it's best for the baby, and it's the natural way. Pregnancy requires about 300 extra calories a day from your body, but breastfeeding demands about 500.
Sustaining Yourself on a Raw Foods Diet
You’ll probably be very hungry for the first few months after childbirth, and it's absolutely essential that you take care of yourself. You will probably have to give up some things such as long baths and lots of time with your partner; even so, you can eat well. In fact, you can eat as much as you like without putting on weight. How bad is that? Many mothers are breastfeeding and are on a raw food diet and are reporting that it works very well. They say they do not feel exhausted, that they have energy left for themselves. They have their limits, however, they report. Breastfeeding is so demanding on your body that you’ll need to eat a lot of nutritious food; but overeating is not a good solution. Instead, look at superfoods and juices to meet your energy needs without stressing your body more than it already is.
Protein and Vitamins are Vital
Both you and the baby need the body-building effects of protein. Lots of sprouts are important here such a lentils, chick peas, and mung beans. If you eat too many nuts and seeds, you stimulate the formation of mucus not only for you but for the baby. The best seeds are sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower. Soak them for awhile, even overnight, and let them sprout for a whole day. Sesame is dynamite nutritionally. It provides calcium, iron, zinc, and the B vitamins. Don't forget the importance of zinc; and pumpkin seeds, chick peas, and tahini are very good sources for it. Cauliflower, watercress, bananas, and broccoli are good sources for B6. You need B12, and you’ll need to take it in a supplement. The milk you are producing for your baby is heavy on calcium, so you need to be sure you’re getting at least 550 mg a day. Green vegetables are good for this, particularly broccoli, seaweeds, and sesame seeds.
Don't Forget Fats
Remember, you are producing milk, and you want it to be rich enough to be nutritious for your little one. Nuts and seeds are good, but don't depend on them too much. You’ll be better off to get your fat from raw oils such as olive and flax. Also, avocados and olives are good vegetable sources for fat. The importance of flax oil can't be overemphasized. Include one to two tablespoons a day. Molasses is rich in iron and calcium if your raw diet allows it. Try a green juice to boost your energy and good health. You might start with broccoli, fennel, celery, cucumber, and parsley, but use your imagination and include the green foods that appeal to you. Look for locally grown greens in season. You’ll be surprised at how this green juice will improve the way you feel. Drink about half a liter a day.
Superfoods
The focus, of course, is on the baby and his health. Your breast milk is his first food, and if your diet is inadequate, then so is his. It's best to overcompensate rather than undercompensate for that reason. You need to get as much vital nutrition into your body as possible so you won't run the risk of shorting your baby's nutritional needs. Superfoods are the only way to achieve this. These are natural plant foods that are nutritionally more dense than others. They are also more easily assimilated by the body that supplements that have gone through processing. The variety available is enormous. However, perhaps the two super-super ones are bee pollen and maca. Bee pollen tastes good and will boost your energy immediately. Keep some around, and when you feel your energy declining, eat some. It has high levels of vitamin B6 and zinc, vital to your health and that of your baby. In addition, it's complete–it has all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Maca is a plant that is native to the Andes and is related to the turnip. It functions to balance your hormones; but most importantly, it will make you feel better and will satisfy your hunger. Besides being a complete protein, it's also high in many vitamins and minerals.
Water
It takes an enormous amount of water to produce enough milk to feed a baby. Schedule your water-drinking so you don't fail to keep yourself hydrated. Three or four liters a day are usually recommended for breastfeeding mothers. If your hydration levels drop, you’ll feel exhausted.
By TTS Health Consultant Gabrielle Gingras
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