Growing healthy babies begins not at 4 months, or 6 months, or 1 year, but at conception! Did you know that a mother's "body burden" (the toxic load we all carry, due to our exposure & ingestion of chemicals, some worse than others) is bequeathed to her innocent new little one?
That alone should be motivation enough for us women to follow God's ways of eating and living! Our choices, particularly as wives and mothers, affect so many people, particularly in this area.
But I digress. From conception, a mother's nutrition and body burden affects their babies. Pregnancy and nursing are no time to be counting calories and not eating well! Adequate intake of fats, (which control the all important hormones estrogen and progesterone) ensure the pregnancy continues healthily and reaches full term.
Animal fats are the most important in this area- fats like whole, raw milk, butter, cream, coconut oil, and chicken with the skin! As a side note, did you know that in animal testings, fat free diets are referred to as "sterility diets" because of the incredible lack of fertility in animals fed this way? That is something to think about.
Another important nutrient needed in pregnancy is folic acid- shown to prevent birth defects and neural tube defects like spina bifida. In addition, DHA from sources like cod liver oil have been proven to provide optimal brain and eye development, in addition to higher I.Q.'s! For a further read of the wide spectrum of essential nutrients needed in pregnancy, I recommend reading this article from the Weston A. Price Foundation: http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/1380-vitamins-for-fetal-development-conception-to-birth.html
Once the little one has arrived, these principles continue into breastfeeding and nursing as well. When it comes to feeding babies, a mother's breastmilk is truly only as good as the quality of her diet. There is a large campaign these days for breastmilk, which is needed, and which is very beneficial.
However, what is often overlooked is that the quality of most women's diets are lacking in so many nutrients and filled with so many harmful additives like sugar, caffeine, trans fats and other chemicals, that what should be the most nourishing substance they can offer their little ones is still ok, but falls far short of the best. A woman's breast milk is truly only as good as the quality of her diet.
Once a baby is ready to begin "solids"- usually around 6 months or so, there are a few principles I've found to ensure optimal health for your children. I'll be sharing those next week, from first bite through 2.5 years! (Some of the most crucial years for children's health development!)
Have a great weekend everyone!
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