eatkamloops.org

Thinking about Motherhood

March 5, 2009 on 7:02 am | In Healing Diets, Weston A. Price Foundation |

When Dr. Weston A. Price researched different isolated traditional populations, he found they ate very different diets depending on the local food supply. He also noticed that all traditional cultures had special diets for any couple considering conceiving a child. The traditional cultures also planned the spacing between children. These pre-conception diets were based on nutrient dense foods for both the mother and father to be. Pre-conception diets would start three to six months before the marriage of the young couple or before an existing couple decided to have another child.

The WAPF has guidelines for a pre-conception diet that concerned parents can use. A nutrient dense diet before conception can help ensure a healthy happy baby and mother. Growing a healthy baby puts a great strain on a mother’s body and good nutrition will help the new mother have an easier birth and avoid postpartum depression. A well nourished mother will have good physical resources for the demands of breastfeeding and the care of a new family member.

Prenatal nutrition is very important for the long term health of the child. Unfortunately, lack of nutrition before birth cannot be corrected later because basic structural growth has already occurred. This does not mean giving up on the health of a child. Just that a mother’s nutrition is of utmost importance if she is considering conceiving a child.

Children with less than ideal nutrition during gestation may be helped by dietary, dental and medical interventions. It is even more important that a child without proper nutrition during gestation, get the most nutrient dense food for the first 15 years of life. During these growing years the child’s body can adapt, if given the right materials to work with.

If you are considering having a child, please read these essays:
1. Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
2. Vitamin A for Fetal Development
3. Vitamin D and the Infant
4. Is Mother’s Milk Sterile?
5. Successful Breastfeeding … Successful Alternatives

Sally Fallon has written a cookbook called Nourishing Traditions. You can find the book in the Kamloops Public Library. There is a whole section on feeding infants including homemade milk and meat based formulas. Her book has a recipe for soaked and fermented grain based gruel.

Update June 1, 2009: If you would like an traditional alternative for baby’s feeding schedule please read: Nourishing a Growing Baby. Here are some recipes for Homemade Baby Foods.

Updated August 5, 2010: If you are having trouble conceiving Dr Andrea Hansen specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. She teaches Natural Fertility Awareness Method. For more information about this method please read The Garden of Fertility. Below is her contact information:
130-546 St Paul St, Kamloops, BC V2C 5T1
T: 250.682.7289
E: dr.andreahansen(a)gmail.com