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Raw Milk Solves Low Milk Supply for Nursing MomRaw Milk Benefits, Raw Milk During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Editor's Note: I am so pleased to be able to share this fascinating testimonial with you from a breastfeeding Mom who managed the near impossible: nursing twins with no formula supplement! The message that raw milk resolves low breastmilk supply issues needs to be shared widely in the breastfeeding community as low supply problems are at epidemic levels in nursing mothers today. Thank you Brittany, for sharing this important story!
By Brittany Ericson, Breastfeeding Mom of Twins
For many breastfeeding mothers, low milk supply is a constant worry. During my first few months as a nursing mother I dealt with minor supply issues. However, I was so distracted by other breastfeeding issues that I didn't fully address the problem of low milk supply until my daughters were over 6 months old.
I have twin daughters, Julia and Aria, they were born April 27th, 2011. We had planned on having the twins naturally at home, but they ended up being born by c-section after a long 3 days of labor. Needless to say the birth was traumatic, but my work was far from done. I was DETERMINED to breastfeed. In my mind there was no other option.
I'll recap the first 7 months for you. It was a seemingly endless test of my determination to breastfeed. I had grown up around women who breastfed their babies and knew it wasn't always a walk in the park, but I had no idea how hard it would be.
Both girls had clampdown bite reflex. It took Julia 4 months to outgrow this and I was so concentrated on Julia the first months I didn't realize Aria had the same problem. Because of this, Aria formed a habit of bad latching that will still show up if she's stressed or overly hungry. I also dealt with thrush, mastitis, post-partum depression and have Raynaud phenomenon.
Raynaud's is basically a circulation problem. I won't explain more about it here other than it is intensely painful. Breastfeeding did not let me win without a long hard fight, but I did finally win. I have a wonderful husband, supportive family, a faithful God and a determination inherited from my mother that saw me through those tough months.
Breastfeeding Crisis: Low Milk Supply
When Aria and Julia turned 7 months old my milk supply started to diminish. The girls became very fussy, and I began to use the milk I had stored in the freezer for extra feedings.
I increased my liquid intake, food portions and nursed frequently. In the past that's all I had to do to resolve low milk supply. But I didn't see any difference even after weeks of doing this. In fact, my milk supply was watery, and diminishing.
After everything I'd gone through I couldn't and wouldn't believe that low milk supply would be my Achilles heel!
My diet during this time was full of pasture raised organic eggs, grass-fed beef, broths, lots of veggies and an occasional smoothie with raw milk. I was healthy, exercised, cooked 99% from scratch… I didn't know what I was doing wrong!?
I had loaned my copy of Nourishing Traditions to a friend, so I headed to my library to see if they had it. I searched Sally Fallon in the database and found that the library's copy of the book was checked out, but another book showed up that Sally Fallon had written the forward to: The Untold Story of Milk by Dr. Ron Schmid. I took it home and started reading.
I'd always been a supporter of raw milk, but had never really read up on it. When I saw the book at the library I figured I should research the raw milk issue more thoroughly. As I made my way through the book I was fascinated by the corrupt history of pasteurized milk and the benefits of raw milk. I hated drinking plain milk, but it was obviously very nutritious so I half-heartedly bought a whole gallon of raw milk and intended to increase my smoothie making. It sat in my fridge for several days until I read this about Dr. Francis Pottenger MD:
"Pottenger's research so convinced him of the importance of raw milk that he recommended one quart of raw milk per day to pregnant and nursing women. According to Pottenger, women who did not have access to raw milk, or who refused to drink it, put the development of their babies in jeopardy and should not breastfeed."
It was late at night and I had already pumped. But I went into the kitchen and gagged down a huge glass of raw milk. It wasn't that bad, but I was still grossed out at the thought of drinking a quart a day! I thought, Oh well, that guy was just over the top and it probably wouldn't even help. I brushed my teeth very thoroughly and went to bed.
Low Milk Supply Resolves After One Large Glass of Raw Milk
Then the miracle happened…I woke up around 5am engorged and leaking everywhere! I pumped almost 6 ounces, and then nursed my girls when they woke up an hour later.
Well, that was the end of me refusing to drink raw milk!
My milk that I had just pumped was thick and my daughters were obviously happier than they had been in days. I was an overnight raw milk advocate!
It took me awhile to get used to drinking plain raw milk, and I did cheat… I added carob, homemade chocolate syrup, or made smoothies with it the first month or so, and I didn't always drink an entire quart… But I now drink 2 large glasses a day, and crave it if I'm tired, hungry or after I exercise. It's a mother's dream food because it doesn't require cooking or prep, just open the fridge and pour a glass.
In March my milk supply was once again put to the test. The girls were 11 months old at this point… So, they had large appetites. Both of the girls got the chicken pox and exclusively nursed for almost a week. Aria had them worse than Julia and so she exclusively nursed for over a week. I was tired, but didn't have any supply issues. In fact, I was still able to pump extra at the end of each day. After the chicken pox was over I knew I didn't need to ever worry about low milk supply issues again.
Raw Milk Helps Moms With Low Milk Supply!
Aria and Julia are now 13 months old. They nurse 3-4 times a day each, and are happy healthy little girls. I'm not really thinking of weaning at this point. It took almost 9 months to finally figure out breastfeeding, and the past four months have been awesome. Last month they started tandem nursing again… Being a mom is tiring. If it wasn't for the pauses of nursing during the day I don't know if I'd sit down and just enjoy my children. It forces you to sit, think and notice your baby. And when nursing is over they're so endearing that I end up playing with them and ignoring the dishes and laundry. If I was giving them bottles they would independently feed themselves and I would probably continue on with my chores.
As a mother of twins I feel compelled to share my story. I believe it's vital to breastfeed multiples because of the bonding time. If you're pregnant with multiples most doctors will assume that you won't even try to nurse, or that you'll automatically supplement, but prove them wrong. The first 6 months is insane and even though it was so painful to nurse I'm glad I did. I was able to really get to know each one individually and I've never really felt guilty about ignoring one over the other.
One more note to breastfeeding mothers. I did talk to different lactation consultants during those months, but discovered that the research I did on my own was far more fruitful. The lactation consultants were very nice, but I don't think any of them expected me to succeed.
In our culture it seems to be instilled in us to "try your best, but not to worry if you fail because no one will blame you." That attitude is particularly prevalent in the medical world towards breastfeeding. Lactation consultants, nurses and doctors would give me a pat on the back for attempting to breastfeed, give me some useless advice, then proceed to tell me that "no one would blame me if I supplemented with formula. In fact, some women just aren't able to breastfeed, and it would be less stressful if I just supplemented."
Those kinds of comments fed the fire beneath me to prove them wrong, and honestly helped me stick to breastfeeding no matter what. I will admit that I was a die-hard and nothing else mattered at times. Was I too hard on myself? I don't think so. I think we're just conditioned to think that if something is gut-wrenchingly hard and painful then it might not be worth it. Well, it is worth it. Nursing is our special mother/baby time. Breastfeeding is also VERY important for the mother's health. It helps to lose weight, forces you to keep yourself nourished and to sleep well.
When a mother has her baby she needs to take things slowly and not jump right back into the fast lane. Sit, contemplate and fully enjoy your beautiful new baby. You spent 9 long months making that child lying in your arms, now enjoy the fruits of your labor!
More Information
Ensuring Plentiful Breastmilk Starts Before Baby is Born
About the Author
Brittany Ericson is the Mom of Aria and Julia, healthy and happy twin girls. She is a home-schooled farm girl who married a wonderful engineer who is NOT a farm boy.
Now a Stay At Home Mom, she hates molds and bandwagons, so she researches every aspect of her family life and is determined to be purposeful in living … no soap operas, bonbons, store diapers or vaccines for her!
Brittany's main hobby is cooking from scratch and constantly figuring out ways to "ditch the junk!" Her husband loves his fast food, but she is converting him slowly but surely to the Real Stuff!
Subscribe today and gain access to my exclusive & FREE weekly newsletter packed with the latest health news, Real Food recipes, video how-to's, special discounts and much more!
Comments (231)
This is so inspiring! I have a 5 1/2 mo old baby with low weight gain, and LOTS of food sensitivities, which cause horrible eczema and itching – dairy included. I only drank raw milk during pregnancy but obviously don't anymore. Does anyone know if raw goats milk might offer the same benefits? My raw dairy farmer has goats too! My other 2 babies never had weight gain issues – it is so sad. This guy was born a healthy 8lb3oz and now at 5 mo, is in the 5-10th% in weight
Sarah! Your response fits my situation to the TEE!!! Just almost exactly one year later (almost by the day).
Anyways…did u find out if raw goats milk does the same thing? Dying to know.
Hayley McMahon Beck via Facebook
Great article!
Danette Franklin Preston via Facebook
ThomasandSole Karrer
Susan Smith via Facebook
I found drinking tea made of fennel, fenugreek, nettle and dandelion increases milk supply. I had twins also.
Kari Wiezorek via Facebook
Natasha Verwey…maybe a good read?
Charles Clark Peebles via Facebook
My sarcasm was lost…
Anna McGill via Facebook
Toni-Anne Campbell this might interest you?!
BrandonandBrittany Ericson via Facebook
I wish I had found this information back when my daughter was breastfeeding. I had tried so many different things and my milk supply was so low that I ended up supplementing with formula and then after a month of that, I put her on to goat's milk. Giving up on breastfeeding (after trying SOOO many different types of remedies) was heart-wrenching. I am glad this helped you with your babies.
Cathi Barnett Bray via Facebook
Good advice. Blessed Thistle enabled me to breastfeed one out of my four – only found out about it during my last pregnancy. It not only increased the amount, but saved my life by eliminating post-partum depression, as well. Thanks for sharing this info.
Jenna Bolton via Facebook
It's ok, Charles. The cows don't mind sharing their delicious nutrient-dense goodness with the human babies.
April Harris via Facebook
Thanks for sharing.
Mia Spangler Bendele via Facebook
How much raw milk?
Denise Power via Facebook
Thank you!!! I'm due to have number two in June, and had horrible supply issues with number one 2 years ago. This is encouraging as I've been on raw milk for over a year now!!
Charles Clark Peebles via Facebook
But, but, but, cow's milk is for baby cows!
Sheril C
This is amazingly good stuff. Back when my first child was born in 1991, I was very much helped by La Leche League through their book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. It never got me over my supply issues or my milk quality issues but its attitude that breast is best gave me the strength to keep going. So I have always been thankful for the book. Now that I have been through 22 years as a parent and learned the hard way how much harm our diet has done and how different a truly nourishing diet is to implement as well as in its results, I am always advocating its importance where ever and whenever I can. If I knew then what I know now…
Future breastfeeding moms will not have to rely on La Leche League just to have the courage to breastfeed. They will be able to find true experts who will be able to help them have plenty of great quality breastmilk and really raise healthy babies!
I was also really struck by this mom's take on the very serious bonding that goes on during breastfeeding. I rarely see anything written (or said) about this that really reflects the depth and beauty and completeness of it. I think it is the absolute best benefit of breastfeeding and I often worry that many moms are missing out and sabotaging themselves in this area. We are society of warrior women and guerrilla warfare where everyone must have a cause that is larger then their own life and their own children. And every cause must reflect a need to change the world, mostly just for the sake of change but not necessarily to any true benefit to anyone so long as it "feels" like a benefit that can be argued. So many breastfeeding moms nowadays are so focused on taking their breastfeeding to the streets and building their right to do anything anywhere and to escape their homes that they diminish or just completely miss out on the peaceful and beautiful home life that would be such a blessing to them and their children. I pray that mothers everywhere will rediscover the true importance of their home, their children and their sacred relationships and stop carrying such disdain for the concepts of mothering, of privacy and of hearth and home. I think so many who have truly good hearts do this without even knowing that they are doing it, without ever recognizing the connections and disconnections inherent in it.
Chrystal Chacon via Facebook
Do you have any posts/articles for drinking raw milk with gestational diabetes?
Debra Johnsen via Facebook
Monica, interesting read.
Thank you for sharing! I nursed my twins 8 years ago until they were 8 months and I was left very malnurished. I'm still battling my health issues while breastfeeing baby #4. This time I am grain free and eating lots of healthy fats, veggies and meats. I was looking for a way to increase my supply since oatmeal (even soaked) isn't doing my health any good I am on a mission now to find me a dairy farmer!! Thank you!
While I think this topic is fascinating, I do object to the statement that "In our culture it seems to be instilled in us to "try your best, but not to worry if you fail because no one will blame you."" I wholeheartedly disagree with that. I think our culture makes women who supplement, and especially those who don't BF at all, feel like complete failures. There's always someone ready to quip "you know breast is best, right?" Or give unsolicited advice about how, "Oh, you should really try ABC or XYZ!" I know – I'm one of those women. I did it to a friend of mine and realized how uncomfortable it made her and how horrible I sounded, so I've made a concerted effort to be proud of her for taking care of her baby, nourishing her the best she can, without breastfeeding. Happy mama = happy baby, and if formula makes that happen, so be it. I was hell bent and determined to breastfeed, and I did, and it was the support of my husband and LC that kept me going – but both were very supportive even if I decided to stop. I needed that. I needed someone to tell me I wasn't a failure if I stopped. And then – I didn't stop.
My daughter is exclusively breastfeeding her 9 week old. The baby is very gassy and cranky when she eats/ drinks dairy (it is not raw). Has anyone had any experience with this problem continuing with raw milk? I was wondering if it would make a difference. I don't know if my daughter would be willing to experiment. The only problem is we have an problem obtaining fresh raw milk in California.
I am going thru a bigtime low supply issue so this could not come at a better time for me. I am allergic to Cows Milk so I am going to get Raw Goats Milk – hopefully it will have the same result!
Jennifer Gray Reimer via Facebook
Well, I'm nursing my third child and this is the first child I've nursed while consuming raw milk in my diet. I've noticed a huge difference in my milk supply! Month # 18 and still going strong! Raw milk rocks! (and raw cream, and raw cheese, and raw kefir…..).
Daneta Sims via Facebook
So wish I had known for my most recent baby , now three. I tried everything I knew (those "normal" tips). And could not get more than an ounce a day. I did that for several months to give her the small benefit I could but if I have any more babies, raw milk will be a staple!!!
Tiffany Lindbeck via Facebook
What if you have an allergy to cows milk? What else do you suggest for increasing supply?
Rachel Bornhauser Durrum via Facebook
Barbara Borgonovo
Adrienne Crampton via Facebook
Your last sentence says it all Nina. I don't buy it either that diet quality doesn't affect milk quality. Have read of battles that nursing mothers pick when wanting to nurse publicly, in McD's!
I can't think of much at McD's that would benefit a nursing Mum, including the ambience.
Anyway, this is most uplifting & encouraging article & I reckon that ANYTHING that we find that encourages mothers is all grist to the knowledge mill. Not every single item will be beneficial for every single mother, but it gives us all more options or possibilities. God bless & thanks for that! Well done for determination, and what darling little babies!
Megan Carter via Facebook
I'm currently nursing and totally believe it. For me it was fermented drinks. I never had an issue but once I added kefir and kombucha to my diet daily my supply practically doubled! If ever I miss a day or two and then add it back in I wake up in a pool of milk… Lovely!
Lyndsay Pfenning Stradtner via Facebook
Makes sense. Quinoa and nettles help too.
Stephanie Pruett Amuso via Facebook
Nursing leaches nutrients out of your body so drinking something as nutrient dense as raw milk is wonderful!
Great article!!! I'm expecting soon and do love my raw milk, however, just like the momma here, I really can't stand the taste of it plain. Is it really necessary to drink it plain? I add about 2t grade b maple syrup and 1T of raw cacao and blend (sometimes a banana and coconut cream for smoothies) or just shake to about 2-3 cups of raw milk. I can't imagine losing the benefits….but any comments or feedback?
Mrs Mary Jo Schuette
Although the consumption of raw milk to a breastfeeding mother is a great boost to nutrition, the first thing that needs to be addressed is how often the baby is nursing and is baby being allowed to finish both breasts. Breastfeeding management should be addressed thoroughly. Best thing to build the milk supply is nursing, nursing and nursing some more.
Maria Castro via Facebook
What a beautiful story, thank you so much for sharing <3 God Bless
Patricia Crozier Bennett via Facebook
Does this explain why I have too much milk?! I should've had twins.
Nina Alviar via Facebook
And also nursing more often. We are always getting new info as CLC's, and more makes more! Even though my training taught me that what mothers eat doesn't affect the milk (i.e., women in concentration camps successfully breastfed, etc.) I don't buy it entirely. HOW can the food we put into our bodies not affect what food we make WITH our bodies? I totally believe there is a connection.
Jennifer Vega via Facebook
this is awesome!!
Amy West via Facebook
Franci Tartaglino via Facebook
I spent 10 years working on a dairy farm and drinking raw milk! I have bones of steel!
thehealthyhomeeconomist via Facebook
Can you give the the study please? This is against the advice of every lactation consultant I've ever talked to. When I was nursing and dehydrated, I always produced less milk.
Amy West via Facebook
FYI there is research showing more liquids≠more milk. Know your science before you give the information out as an authority.
I was was told by my doctor who was cynically surprised at my intention to nurse my twins when they were born in only a few months, "All right, but expect to be exhausted and you WILL have to supplement!" It took me about a week to dump the unused security bottles in the fridge and I did not look back. After four months I was exhausted, but not from their full milk feedings and ample weight gain, but from the demanding schedule of sequential feeding times. I figured I was spending 8 hours a day just sitting. I had to learn how to feed them at the same time. With the balancing of a full sized bed propped with pillows for me and several for each of them, along with the plan of having each baby (boy and girl) assigned their own side and position and again I was off and sailing into a 13 month routine. The only reason that I weaned them at 13 1/2 months was we were out and about more and nursing twins in public is… well a lot more revealing! I felt uncomfortable being naked from the waist up in public, even though I usually went into a private room (not a bathroom) My next two children I nursed to two years old and I had to wean my 3rd child at two because he wouldn't fit on top of the very pregnant belly of my fourth.
Nursing my twins was absolutely fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone expecting multiples, and NO I do not remember being exhausted, just busy. Even after 32 years looking back, I still would never have done it any other way. I only wish someone had told me about raw milk and I knew then half as much then as I know now about producing healthy offspring! At least my grandchildren have benefited instead!
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I have breast fed my twin boys for almost 11 months – no formula – it can be done!
Amanda Dittlinger
So glad to read this today. I'm also a mother of identical twin girls. My girls are almost five now, but I tandem nursed them for their first 14 months. They had a bit of formula in the hospital but after that I never bought ANY formula for my girls. I was super lucky and had NO problems with supply. Actually the opposite happened to me. The lactation consultants were SO convinced that I wouldn't make enough that they told me to pump! pump! pump! after every feeding so I dutifully did. Then I got engorged and got mastitis. I'd be nursing my girls and then pump out a second serving (so to speak.) I had to wean myself away from that blasted pump and let nature just take care of itself. So my girls got very few bottles after the first 3 months. They were booby babies!
But, low supply IS rampent in twin moms, and alot has to do with stress of the mom. With a high instance of one or both babies in NICU, tired, worried, stressed moms do not make enough milk. I was lucky that both my girls came home with me and I had a husband who got up with EVERY SINGLE night feeding for the first three months of their lives. It's baloney to say a dad can't help nurse! He helped me so much while we were learning the ropes!
I'm excited that this next week I'm going to be speaking to a roomful of Expecting moms of twins and triplets about breastfeeding. I will definitely pass on this info of raw milk. I am trying to spread the word that breastfeeding multiples is doable and really is easier once everyone gets the hang of it. I had no bottles to warm or clean or keep up with. Hungry baby, meet breast. Boom, done.
GREAT article it was very helpful it gave me hope , my dau is expecting and we dont want any formulas soy, etc,etc so to know that raw milk cn keep the milk flow is wonderful thank you.
Laura Y.
This message is for K. Manes. What you are describing really sounds to me like you are having vasospasms in your nipples. I went through it with my first two children and was misdiagnosed with thrush both times. My nipples were so sore I can't even put it into words and they would burn for hours even after I nursed. The pain was so intense, I stopped nursing both times and went to bottles. One lactation consultant told me that if you have thrush your nipples will be itchy as well as burn, which makes sense to me. Mine never itched, just burned like they were on fire. Finally, with my third baby I had done some reading about vasospasms of the nipple and Raynaud's of the nipple on the internet and figured out that was probably what it was. If you google Raynaud's of the nipple you can find some info on it. Here is one link: http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/ I have Raynaud's Phenomenon in my hands, but my understanding is you can still get vasospasms in your nipples with a bad latch, you don't have to have Raynaud's. One treatment is a low dose of nifedepine (I think it's 30 mg) once a day. After trying all the other recommended natural treatments with nothing helping, I decided to try that as a last resort. My OB didn't know anything about it initially, but luckily I was able to get him to read up on the condition and he gave me a prescription. You take it for 2 weeks and then go off and see if your symptoms come back. If they do, (which mine did) you take it for 2 more weeks and then stop. After the 4 weeks I had no more vasospasms (burning), but what was really amazing was that my soreness was so much better after one day on the medication. Might not be right for everyone, but it sure worked for me. I was able to nurse my 3rd baby to 15 months. Nursing does not come easy to so many women. You are not alone! Good luck and hang in there!
K. Manes
Laura Y. – Thank you. I've done my research and this is exactly where I have been led. I've contacted my OB about the medication (although hesitant to take ANYTHING… but at this point will try ANYTHING) and she's looking into it. Usually pills are my last resort – but I feel like I have reached that point with this. AND with this kind of pain – there's really no time for to go testing remedies here and there to see what will work. I appreciate this comment more than you know. The guilt for not nursing my first was so heavy for such a long time. I really didn't want to experience that again. I decided that if I couldn't find a remedy before the baby was born that I would only nurse as long as I could stand and then stop – no guilt this time. So glad there are options!
Brittany E
That's not weird at all. I went to a chiropractor regularly during my pregnancy and still do. He uses the activator and toftness methods. My main chiropractor is actually my old employer so I know about the miracles chiropractors can do:) He did help a bit but homeopathy is what has helped heal me. I'm not 100% better but am slowly getting better. Thanks for the advice I'm a huge fan of chiropractors. Mom's always look at me weird when I suggest chiropractic care for colds, coughs, milk supply, headaches… Pretty much everything:)
I'm happy it has worked out for you.
At the age of 3 years I was infected with raw milk from a cow who had brucillious it has impared my immune system for the rest of my life. I was nearly crippled with arthritis from the age of 16 years. When I see big pussey cysts on cows faces and bodies I know darn well that bacteria is transmitted through raw milk to the person drinking it. Hello, welcome cysts to your body! What about the parasites in the cows systems? There is a reason why milk is pasteurized – common sense is oviously not all that common. Only humans drink the stuff past infancy.
Mom's Best
I have been reading, reading, reading your website-so much great info. I am left confused about what to do though if I can't get raw milk (I live on Oahu, Hawaii and its not here) Right now we don't drink any milk at all except for kefir (lifeway from while foods) but I'm worried about our calcium intake…should I give my child a supplement??????? Thank-you for any feedback
@sue check your local farmer's market. the Amish provide ours.
I just got a gallon prior to having supply issues. my son who will be a year on the 17th was just diagnosed with an ear infection. I think I caught a bug and have intestinal issues due to that. I also had an ant problem that made me spray the house like crazy, my husband was concerned that I somehow poisoned him. then I got my period and supply dropped like crazy he stopped nursing as much, during the day, like he forgot his latch, and would only nurse to go to sleep.
I'm going to try drinking the milk since I have it anyways. I have tried fenugreek in the past and mother's milk tea and will again. but for now I'm going to try a glass of milk.
Hi there, I am a mama to twin boys who are 6 1/2 months old. I've struggled with supply issues from the start. My boys get one 4oz bottle each of supplementation a day and are otherwise breastfed with some cereal/purees now. But I nurse ALL THE TIME. I always have one or both on me nursing. It's a lot of work. I tried ashtanga and fenugreek and pumping to increase supply but always seem to be struggling to keep up. I was vegan for 10 years prior to my pregnancy but added in eggs/cheese. Strangely enough, as much as I nurse, I am not losing any weight beyond the initial 25 I lost when I delivered…I have 40 to go. I am willing to giive the raw milk a shot for my babies and myself. I will report back with my results.
Proud of you for nursing your twins!!!! That is awesome! Have you read what Sarah (this blog) says should be in your diet everyday? There is a lot more to it then eggs and cheese. Healthy fats, meats, cod liver oil… etc. She also tells you what is good to begin feeding babies and cereal isn't one of them. If you have time (which I am sure you don't have much of) read what she says! It makes sense. Best of luck to you girl!!!
The alternative to drinking the animals milk is killing the animal and extracting the vitamins A D and K from it's body & eating the flesh raw. We'd have to hunt every other day, to have fresh food. Cooked food is reserved for when men are on the hunt. We'd live like hunter gatherers used to before they figured out animal husbandry and farming, leaving little or no time to have a culture… all the things civilized societies do.
It's possible if the milk is raw to have bacteria in it to which you have not yet formed an immunity. Also, could be that you need to start slow. A few oz per day until you build your tolerance. If that doesn't work, try making it into kefir. Though I like kefir less than fresh, the grains digest the parts I can't and make the milk more accessible to me. If that doesn't work, leave it alone and follow your body. Could be that your ancestors were not much milk drinkers. Sounds like your kids are thriving on it.
Can anyone explain how to answer someone when they talk about how humans are the only ones that drink other animals milk and that cow's milk is for their babies and their babies only? I also do not know how to explain how cow's milk causes mucus. I hear about how good raw milk is, I buy it and feed it to my family, but it causes me to be clearing my throat because of it. It always happens. I try and go by my instincts as much as possible, but raw milk has been so confusing to me.
Good for you, Brittany! I have had 7 babies and nursed for a total of 14 years, and I've been drinking raw milk (either goat or cow) for the past 13 years. When I had my first in 1987, they didn't even have lactation consultants at the hospital, and no one really gave much support to a new mother who wanted to nurse. I was on WIC back then, and the woman at the WIC office marveled at the fact that I continued to nurse my baby and that he was healthy and strong. At least nowadays there is more support for breastfeeding. May God bless you and your family.
KerryAnn @ CookingTF.com
Perhaps the issue wasn't the milk, per se, but the large increase in protein, fluid and fat and could be accomplished via other means, especially for those who are dairy intolerant or unable to get raw milk? Milk is a convenient way to get fat, protein and fluid in one package but I'm sure with dairy intolerance being so common that some will question how they can also see the same benefits without making themselves or their intolerant babies sick. No everyone can tolerate milk, even raw milk- I had been on raw milk for a long time when my intolerances were discovered.
When I was nursing my two and studying to become an IBCLC I found in myself and heard many mothers confirm that a big steak dinner with lots of fat (butter or salad dressing) would increase my supply like crazy. So perhaps any large increase in fat and protein would do it?
Two quarts of raw milk would provide 32-36 grams of protein and 36+ grams of fat, depending on the breed and if the farmer skims the milk for butter/cream.
Thank you for sharing this story!!! Brittany, I did not find this article offending in any way– it was actually refreshing to hear someone's story who knew the heartache felt by moms who struggled w/ supply issues:)
As a mother of twins myself (now 6 yrs old) I had a TERRIBLE time with supply issues and my milk. I had severe preeclampsia and c-section, and was re-hospitalized while the babies were home for 7 days. Needless to say, I was so distraught I did not pump every 2 hrs to promote my milk, and when I got home the babies were way ahead of my supply. That said, I did everything by the book to try to increase my supple from day 11 on…and NOTHING ever did really resolve the problem ( oatmeal, herbs, extra pumping, prescription domeperidone, lactations consultants, etc etc)- –some increase but not by much–I could not get past 50/50 milk supplements. I was heartbroken, but kept at it for 2 1/2 years, while everyone else thought I was insane for "putting myself thru this" and trying to breastfeed exclusively twins—no one really thought it could be done. I wish I had more support, but I am glad I stuck with it–I figured some is better than none!
I am 35 weeks pregnant NOW and alittle nervous about the milk issues, thank you for sharing your experience with me…I will definitley be adding more raw milk to my diet!!!!
be blessed.
Brittany E
That would have been so hard to go back in the hospital after they were born. It's so encouraging that you stuck with it and pumped what you could!! Even a little bit of breastmilk is so much better than formula! I LOVE how many twin moms have commented on breastfeeding their twins… Where I am almost no one does, and it's very disheartening to have one of your main communities(the mothers of multiples) to be where most of the discouragement comes from.
I'm sure you will have no problem with this next baby. The root of most of my breastfeeding issues had to do with the girls birth… It sounds like that's where your bfing issues started as well. We will pray and hope that this next birth goes smoothly and breastfeeding will be a breeze!
So wonderful to read your positive experience, both with nursing and with raw milk! Kudos for persisting through tough times with nursing. Many women give up nursing when a problem arises. They benefit from reading stories like yours. I hope you post a link to this article on the La Leche League forum. It could give courage and hope to many women!
I am a huge fan of raw milk and have to exercise self control not to drink a quart at a time! That creamy deliciousness is as satisfying as homemade ice-cream to me! (And I also cured an antibiotic resistant tooth abcess by drinking lots of raw milk, upping my fish oil, taking Proselem and eliminating most sugar. It took one year but that is better than what any dentist could do for me!) Oh and by the way, I had all my babies at home, in my bathtub and nursed them all until they were 3. They are super healthy!
I drank raw milk while pregnant with my first son and later while breastfeeding. I weaned at 3 years, never having a problem with supply.
I did not drink raw milk (or very much of it) during my pregnancy with my second son. When he was a year old I started GAPS and ditched all dairy (raw or otherwise). I then went back to some dairy but not raw milk. I am still breastfeeding and my son is 2.5.
I am very glad this mom was able to breastfeed (especially twins!!!) but I don't like the blanket statement that if you don't drink raw milk/eat dairy, you shouldn't breastfeed. I don't think one single food affects breastfeeding (whether positively or negatively). Moms should follow the example of the mom in this story and research what works for them.
I agree with you Magda. That blanket statement bothered me too. Raw milk is wonderful and does enhance the benefits of nursing, but one should deprive one's baby of the other benefits of nursing if one does not drink raw milk. Thank you for pointing that out. And I agree with you that every mom should do her own research and find what works best for her. Everyone's biochemistry is different.
My son went from breast milk to breast/raw goat milk at 8 months without a hitch. Pasteurized milk made me sick as a child so this made me even more determined to nurse and figure out a milk solution for him when it came time to wean.
My 2 day old projectile vomited all the variations of commercial formula they tried to give him in the hospital as an infant when my milk was slow to come in. His body knew that concoction was garbage. I love it how they invent "acid reflux" as a sickness when babies vomit poison. The vomiting is protective and they suppress it so they can get more poison. It happens with toxic mothers milk too and I'm sure it can usually be solved with a change in the mothers diet or a milk from another mammal who is less toxic, and adjusted for the needs of the infant.
At 14 months there was a problem with my certified raw milk supplier. Someone got food poisoning and they drink raw milk, but they must have gotten germs somewhere else or have a compromised immune system b/c we never got sick. So when I ran out of raw a week later I gave him organic pasteurized milk since supposedly at 12 months babies can drink store milk… BIG mistake. He got VERY sick from pasteurized milk! I would have taken him to the hospital with the irony of it, but I could handle it and the hospital is the last place you want a sick baby unless you can't stop the bleeding or a bone is broken.
He was up all night crying and inconsolable with diarrhea and gas, red in the face, unusually clingy and even refused to nurse! It took me 4 days to get him back to himself. I get so many comments on how I was so lucky he sleeps through the night since an infant, rarely sick, never an ear infection, such a friendly sharing disposition, so independent. My ego would like to make me think that his charming easygoing ways are because he has such great genes and I'm a good mother, but he behaves differently when his diet is not pure WAPF, that and/or he doesn't get enough sleep.
It makes me wonder if so many of the typical negative associations that we have with babies and young children is because between lack of good bacteria that fight for them, bad diet, vaccines and the compromised immune system the two encourage, our children are in a constant state of malnourishment, poisoning, and sickness. This is what makes them so cranky and sickly. It's not a normal state for babies to be bad tempered, cranky or sickly and if they are, you as a parent are probably missing these obvious signs that something is not right.
All this did just made me diversify my raw milk suppliers so that I never run out again. I'll also kefirize milk for him in a pinch since he's older.
I know when people think farmer they think "man" but wise country "grandmothers" are the best raw milk suppliers. Grandmothers have no certification to care about loosing. Wise country mothers of lots of children are good too, but unless their children are old enough to help, most of the milk mothers get from their animals are for their growing family.
loved this article. I made the switch to raw milk with my 3rd baby and my breast milk was completely different than with my first two. it was much thicker and less watery looking, plus it had a lot more fat in it. I was also able to breast feed much longer with my 3rd and had a much larger supply, he was completely satisfied with just milk for over 7 mos before introducing solids.
This is a wonderful story and lively discussion. However I too, like a number of commenters, question the validity of the quote, "According to Pottenger, women who did not have access to raw milk, or who refused to drink it, put the development of their babies in jeopardy and should not breastfeed." I've been living the WAPF lifestyle for a number of years; however, as a young mother, I had not yet encountered this information, but I still breastfed my four children plentifully and successfully and they are now healthy adults. How could breastfeeding, regardless of the mom's diet, ever be inferior to any other alternative?
I just read Brittany's post of June 15 @ 10:23 pm, where she explains her use of this quote; I missed this comment earlier when scrolling through the discussion. But still don't comprehend why Pottenger or anyone else would make such a statement.
Christine M
I agree with the commented above who stated that this comment by Dr. Pottenger was meant to stress the importance of raw milk in a pregnant or nursing mother's diet and was spoken in a time when we were less sensitive about the issue of breast feeding and formula supplementation.
There is a difficult situation that arises when a mother doesn't have access to raw milk to drink it for herself: there is no way she could make the WAPF raw milk formula either. In this case, raw milk or not, I believe Dr. Pottenger would choose breast feeding over commercial formula, given what we know now that was not know at the time of his study.
I drank pasteurized milk for my first pregnancy, and my son had asthma for 3 years until we all started drinking raw milk. Yes, this is anecdotal, but I believe the recommendation should be: if you can't drinking raw milk while breast feeding, AT LEAST DON'T DRINK PASTEURIZED MILK. (My 2nd son, with whose pregnancy I also drank pasteurized milk, develops a rash and throws up any pasteurized milk. He drinks raw milk and eats other raw dairy products just fine, while still nursing at 18 months.)
Brittany E
I don't really know what else to say about Pottenger… People make blanket statements a lot… Read some of the comments if you doubt me:D If you read his work Dr Pottenger was obviously very passionate about his work, and was a very intelligent man. I know lots of people that will say things like "Everyone should do ____ and they would never get sick, tired… or whatever." But they are only speaking like this because it worked for them and they're seeing the amazing results, so it's a no brainer that everyone should do "that." For Dr Francis Pottenger he was seeing night and day results in his studies and he was so excited that he said EVERY nursing mother HAD to drink raw milk. Obviously all mother's don't have to drink raw milk… some women I've known have even nursed perfectly healthy children on no milk at all. And many, many women have no access to raw milk.
For myself, I read this quote after reading about his numerous studies… At this point I had a great deal of respect for this man so I was intrigued, not offended, by his zeal and proceeded to treat it as a theory, not a rule. I was able to buy raw milk… I tested his theory and had amazing results. I shared this story as a theory for other women to test, not as a rule. End of story.
Once again, I hope this clarifies some things, and that people will only read this article as a testimony of successful breastfeeding meant to encourage. I am rather curious to what would have happened if I had left out the quote… I have a feeling I'd still be answering and explaining:)
Thank you for the intelligent comments… I don't mind disagreeing, debating or the like with polite intelligent people. It forces me to examine every aspect of my decision(s), and as emotional as I get…It is a good exercise for my brain to sift between emotions and facts.
Lindalee Jarman Mccandlis via Facebook
This is a great article. But when I look at this adorable twin picture I still cannot believe how blessed I am to have 2 little boys on the way!
Mae Johns
Drinking raw milk is a really stupid thing to do. Milk is pasteurized for a reason: it contains dangerous pathogens. So far there have been five raw milk food poisoning outbreaks just in 2012, with 142 people sickened and six CHILDREN suffering hemolytic uremic syndrome, which destroys the kidneys. The misinformation about raw milk, perpetuated by Sally Fallon Morrell and her disgusting book is criminal.
mae, go somewhere else and post your feelings on raw milk. i mean really…this article is NOT about that debate.
I was wondering if a raw milk diet would help a baby who has colic? My sister has been told to avoid all dairy products (they believe it is what is causing the colic). But I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to switch to a raw milk diet. Any thoughts???
Renee' Cuvillier via Facebook
Jessica… you could have just passed up this post rather than arguing your point on the healthy home economist page. Post negative stuff on your own page. I am here to learn. The lactation consultants didn't help me at all. I couldn't breastfeed and this gives me hope for my next pregnancy.
I'm so excited to start drinking more raw milk! I'm nursing my first son who is 10.5 months old and he's always been skinny. My milk is always pretty watery with hardly any cream on top. I'll report back as to whether the raw milk makes my milk thicker and fattier and (hopefully!) makes my baby thicker and fattier!
Any tips on how to find raw milk? The closest one I could find on eat wild was a three hour drive. I live in Minneapolis. I emailed the WAP local chapter but haven't gotten a response.
Organic Cafe Perth
Very enlightening blog. I also read the comments. Very interesting.
Beth Chambers
I am also a breastfeeding mom of twins, and I've been having to exclusively pump every two hours for the last 6 months due to the twins refusing to latch further…they've never had anything but BM, and I feel the same as you, everytime someone said "no one would blame you if they had formula" it was fire to fuel me, keep my head down and press on! I'm glad I read this; I HATE milk, but will try to choke it down…maybe I won't have to pump every two hours anymore!
Brittany E
I really hope that helps you. I had to almost exclusively pump when the girls were 3 months old and it was exhausting! I'm sure you've been trying everything to get your twins to latch, but mine refused to latch between 4-6 months and I did a bunch of things and around 7 months they started latching again. Going shirtless when possible, taking them individually in a dark room and lying down to nurse(shirtless) and nursing them when they were just waking up helped. I'm sure you've already tried all of this, but if not… I hope it helps. And I hope raw milk helps increase your supply as it did with me!
Kateri Scott via Facebook
We didn't evolve, we were created and animal milk is not harmful to drink.
The most likely reason for low supply is poor milk transfer due to poor latch. Tongue tie is grossly underestimated as a source of this problem. I hear women saying they have pain……a good latch WILL NOT CAUSE PAIN. In fact the definition of a proper latch is one that doesn't cause pain and adequately transfers milk. There are solutions to low supply that ain't include formula of any kind. Please try to seek help if you find yourself in this situation.
Brittany E.
I know I'm commenting too much, but one more thing… If I could change my opening sentence I would… In the community I'm in I here about "milk supply issues" constantly and so it seemed to be reasonable to assume "For most mothers milk supply is a constant worry…" I personally never worried about it until the girls were 6-7 months, and even then didn't seriously worry because I knew that I was made to breastfeed my babies and it was only another small bump in the road. However I did not thoroughly think that through when writing the opening sentence, and was only repeating what seemed to be the biggest worry the mother's around me had.
I hope that makes sense to everyone.
Kirsten M
When my first child, now 14 years old, was born, she clearly reacted to things I consumed – for example, chocolate, coffee, strawberries and soy brought on intense symptoms of colic. I always had lots of breastmilk, thank goodness, but nursing a distressed child was hard. So was mastitis! But we managed.
I am now nursing my 21-month old twins. They were breastfed for nine months without the introduction of other foods, and til they were over a year weren't very interested in food anyway. And I pumped for a third child at one point. My colostrum has gone to at least three other babies and an adult with immune disease …because I have SO much milk! My main food is raw goat milk, straight and as cultured foods. I know the milk allows me to produce my milk. Also, despite plans for a homebirth, my babes came at 34 weeks and I had a hospital c-section- every pediatrician, doctor, nurse, visitor came in and said "where are the preemies?!? At 34 weeks I had one baby one ounce under 6 lbs and the other a few ounces over 5 lbs, rooming in with me and ready to go home with me after my two day stay. I loved telling people about my half-gallon of goat milk a day and my daily quart of yogurt.
We have raised and milked Nubians for seven years- we watch the color, consistency, and amount of milk they are producing change based on what they are eating and drinking. Ask any dairy goat farmer – the connection is clear. And my experience producing milk is that way too. Even 21 months in to nursing two children, when I up my goat milk intake, I leak! When I don't drink it for a while, because we have used the milk for cheese or cajeta, down goes my milk. That's my experience. I thank God for my doula who made me pump from the start, and for my daughter who milks goats while I nurse babies!
Brittany E.
Love it! I love that they gained weight so fast… Mine did too… They were 5.4 and 5.6 when we left the hospital and 3 1/2 weeks later they were 7 1/2 lbs each!
Brittany E.
I guess I'm a little slow in answering this, but I wanted to address the Francis Pottenger issue better.
In including that quote I did not mean to imply that any women should not breastfeed because of not drinking raw milk. I do know women who have successfully breastfed without any raw milk. I included that quote because it was what I was reading at the time and I figured I should give it a try. My babies had been fussy for over a month and were not gaining weight. I had tried all the foods I could find to increase milk supply along with fenugreek, mother's milk tea, nursing on demand, nursing on a schedule, pumping more… Anything I could find whether on the internet, advice from a professional. I was very close to considering supplementing when I read Dr. Pottenger's quote. I hated plain milk, but I would try anything once. It worked amazingly and so I've continued to drink raw milk. That is all I was trying to say.
If you read more of Francis Pottenger's studies you will understand his quote better.
Once again, I included the quote not as a RULE by which all nursing mothers should abide, but only as part of my story. If you are offended by the quote then please pretend it doesn't exist and only read the rest of my story. I shared by personal story to encourage only. Please read it again with that in mind.
Thank you again to all the encouraging comments and to all you nursing mothers… You are my inspiration, my encouragement and my personal heroes. Keep on nursing!!!
Awesome article.
Wow, this article came at a perfect time! I have struggled with low milk supply with all three of my children and am trying to hang on as long as I can with my 4 month old. She is already being supplemented with formula for 2-3 feedings a day while I try everything possible to boost supply. I had just decided today that nursing/pumping/bottle feeding while trying to keep up with my 4 yr old and 21 month old was just too much and I was ready to give up and switch completely to formula. It is illegal to sell raw milk where I live so we only drink it when we have the opportunity to get to a neighboring state. I think I'll be making a trip across the border tomorrow morning! Thank you!
Brittany E.
You are one busy lady! Try to get some sleep too! 😀 Next to raw milk… Rest is the most important thing I know that I need.
Ginger Jilek via Facebook
I think Jessica and the other woman that are viewing this article in such a negative aspect has lost the whole picture of the story. This mother of twins was expressing her story and SHE believed that raw milk was exceptionally important to her; even if she said it should be for everyone.
I think there are so many factors in lactating properly and it's being in tune with your own body, the needs of your child, your stress levels and importantly your nutritional levels. So it should be looked at holistically instead of all separate issues.
Brittany E.
Well said. "it should be looked at holistically instead of all separate issues."
I cannot stress how important it is that each person is different and every breastfeeding story will be different. That is why there is no "one-way" to breastfeed.
Thanks for the encouragement of breastfeeding twins! We have two girls coming in September and I'm really hoping for a natural birth and to breastfeed them for at least a year.
Brittany E.
Woohoo! More twin girls! We're at 14 months now… Take it one day at a time. Just please don't listen to the people who say it can't be done(nursing twins)… Every time I mention to people that I breastfeed my twins they look at me like I'm from the zoo:) That includes most of my lovely twin mothers that I know.
There's a wonderful story on the Mothering website about a mother who breastfed twins with only one breast… I read it every time I needed encouragement.
Jolene S.
As a mother who breasted four babies without many problems, other than pain for the first few weeks, I can only imagine the hardships that some have to go through especially in this culture where it is not always supported. My heart goes out to those who are sticking with it to give their babies the best start in life. Thank you Brittany for encouraging and inspiring others!
Ty-Megan Gross via Facebook
What's funny to me is that someone would say women shouldn't breastfeed unless they can drink raw milk, but then want them to do raw milk formula. Am I the only one who sees the irony in that statement?
You know, it's interesting that this topic came up. I HAVE noticed that since I started drinking raw milk a few months ago I have been getting engorged and have been leaking more often. And my son is 18 months old! I felt like my supply was getting a little low about 6 months ago and could never figure out how to get more milk. Oatmeal, brewer's yeast, none of it made a noticeable difference, UNTIL I started drinking raw milk! Wow! Light bulb moment!
Caitlin Bourne
Wow! I had no idea such an upbeat, joyous article would be so offensive to so many people. It is interesting to note that everyone who spoke negatively seemed to have done little research into the foundational underpinnings of WAP. Indeed, anyone who has spent time on their site will see countless articles written with scientific accuracy. It is laughable that these poo-pooers would logically "debate" this article when they don't even know who Dr. Pottinger was and how vauluable his work is! Apparently people would rather look foolish than keep quiet and get their facts straight.
Brittany E.
I just wanted to say thank you for this comment. When I began writing down my breastfeeding experience it was for my own personal records, and then I actually emailed Sarah asking her to share my story because I was becoming discouraged watching mother after mother give up breastfeeding to what they called "supply issues." Raw milk helped me, and I wanted to have my voice heard with the chance that I could help even one nursing mother not give up. The comments have been disheartening because I ONLY wanted to encourage…I never meant to discourage anyone in anyway. Some of the comments have almost made me cry and at the end of this day your comment really helped me to be encouraged. Thank you for reading the article the way I wanted it to be read.
Don't worry, Brittany. Intelligent, thoughtful readers will be inspired by your story and will appreciate your informative and courteous responses in the comment section. They will be able to dismiss the oddly threatened and strangely rude responders.
Bravo to you! And best of luck with your beautiful babies.
J Lindsey Morgan via Facebook
Ugh! Most women DON'T have supply issues. Women need to learn to trust their bodies more. The majority of women will be able to nurse exclusively but, over the years as formula feeding has become the most accepted way of feeding a baby, people are convinced that a baby that wants to nurse frequently is 'starving'. Babies nurse for reasons other than hunger! Babies also have growth spurts. Some of the BIGGEST reasons for supply issues are related to interventions during delivery and pitocin afterwards. C-sections can cause issues as well. I think its God-awful, in this day and age, with abysmally low breastfeeding rates, that anyone would say that if you are NOT drinking raw milk then you shouldn't breastfeed your baby. Now, its great that this worked for her, since breastfeeding is, of course, Nature's perfect food for our babies. I really do think, though, that this just puts me off because I don't like fear-mongering on either side of an issue.
Maybe its not so much the RAW milk, as it is just CARBS in general, I think some people are severely under eating calories and carbs and therefore will not be making enough milk. Just the fact that this women exerpienced such an increase with one glass of milk is a testimony to what getting in some significant carbs and calories can do for a lactating Mom.
Brittany E
I forget to mention about the "watery milk." I do know about the milk being different at different times of day, and that the color doesn't mean it's more or less nutritious. But I did pump regularly to "up" my supply, for date nights… all sorts of reasons so I knew my milk. It was watery with very little cream all the time, and since I've started drinking milk it's thicker and very creamy. I didn't do anything different except incorporate raw milk into my diet.
With that said I don't want any nursing mothers to think their milk is inadequate because it's watery looking. I didn't base my decisions on what my milk looked like, but how my babies were acting. They weren't gaining any weight and were very fussy for over a month. Everyone(except homeopathic doctor) suggested that I supplement, and I refused to do that until I had tried everything.
I hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing this! I also had twins and at 7 months, both were failing to thrive. I did not hear about drinking such a large quantity of milk and never tried it even though we did drink raw milk. I put my twins on raw goat milk for the next few months to supplement breastfeeding and they both put on weight. Then the milk started tasting funny (very goaty) and they refused to drink it. My milk supply was way down and out of desperation, I switched them to raw cow milk. My son who never slept well and always was colicky suddenly started sleeping through the night and his constant ear infections went away! They were happy babies all the time, it was like a miracle. They are 2.5 years old and still drink over a quart a day each and they are rarely sick and there has not been another ear infection.
sara r.
I started drinking raw milk around my daughter's first birthday, and eating a more traditional diet. Now I am nursing our second, who is almost 3 months old, and 18 pounds! Up 11 pounds since birth. Both of them grew quickly, but I definitely had a larger milk supply, and it came in faster, the second time. (when I was drinking raw milk). Also, I found that I was craving it, especially in the firs 2 months after birth. The craving has tapered off a bit now, fortunately! I kept running out of my raw milk to drink before the next delivery!
Sarah, I hope you'll consider rephrasing the introduction. "Near-impossible" is inaccurate and needlessly discouraging to mothers of multiples, most of whom certainly can feed their babies without supplements.
There's a fine line between writing that emphasizes the value of the information you hope to impart and sensationalism. This crosses that line.
Thanks, Mati – you managed to say in 3 lines what it took me stumbling through about 50 lines to try to communicate.
… and it doesn't look as though that's going to change. It's unfortunate – so many leads on interesting info through HHE, but so often I'm forced to link to the source article rather than the blog post because of distortions like this.
Great story! Thank you for sharing. Your perseverance is admirable.
Melissa Rank
I appreciated this blog. Even though I don't have supply issues, it's worth a try if I ever do! Thanks for sharing.
Jo Wilhelm via Facebook
If you are skeptical about using raw milk, do some research into WHY milk was required to be pasturized. It was NOT because of what the cows put into the milk, but the filthy condition of the dairy and the reluctance of farmers to wash themselves OR their cows udders and stalls!!
Anastasia @ eco-babyz
Awesome, thanks so much for sharing! I will share this article with all moms that come to me talking about low milk supply!
I have nursed all 7 of my children for over 2 years each some of them 3+ years. I started this journey 31 years ago so my info is not current, but still valid. 3 months after my first child was born we adopted a newborn. I nursed her right along side my son. My milk increased immediately. I was very blessed and was able to nurse both babies with no real problems that I could not over come, including mastitis a few times. I stopped nursing when i became pregnant with my next child.
Back in the day with no blogs, internet, or such things to connect us to gross amount of knowledge and experience we relied on friends and family to help us through. Doctors had their place but really never knew much about breast feeding except "keep doing it it will get better", and it did.
What i do know about breast feeding and having adequate supply is the mother needs to eat! I am 1/2 Japanese so vegetables have always been a huge part of my diet, cooked not raw, though i did eat the typical raw veg that everyone did, salad stuff. But I ate huge servings of stirfry, which was a typical meal at our house. Lots of quickly cooked vegetables in great variety along fried up with meat and rice on the side. I was always hungry and ate often! Especially nursing 2 babies! I drank milk but i didn't know about raw milk in those days, so pasteurized it was! my mom would tell me to drink more milk. Funny for a Japanese who hardly ever drink milk as a cultural thing. I think i only saw my mom drink milk once or twice in her life. I would tell her, mom, cows don't drink milk to make milk, they eat greens and that is what i did albeit they were cooked with meat and a little fat. She would giggle her cute laugh and say, you are right, eat vegetables!
Now I love raw milk and feed it to my family everyday. I highly recommend it to anyone nursing or no. And if it helped this gal, (loved her story) then that is great! if you are having trouble keeping up your milk supply then try it! What have you got to lose? But also eat food, cook those veggies put raw butter on them, and eat fewer refined carbs but do eat carbs. Get that whole thing in balance with vegetables, carbs, protein and healthy fat! and don't starve yourself trying to get your figure back, it will come as you keep nursing and eating healthy foods.
At least it worked for me though my sisters had a harder time losing weight after each baby cause they ate way more refined carbs than i did. I find healthy foods fill you up and nourish you better and you have less tendency to over eat and fewer weight issues. I highly recommend nursing and while no one way is the solution for all, I'm sure if i had access to and drank lots of raw milk i would have been successful at nursing on this diet too cause it provides all the nutrients i needed to produce healthy milk in adequate amounts.
I do agree, a glass of raw milk is the perfect fast food!
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
wow! 3 days of labor! i'm glad everything was ok! your girls are beautiful! great post! thanks for sharing!
Just want to give a shout out to all you nursing moms – good for you.
Science is good but the longer I am immersed in Nourishing
Traditions, the more I find science is backing up their recommendations.
Breast milk changes sometimes hourly to supply the needs of the baby. That's pretty
much a "recent discovery", scientifically speaking, of course.
My dad was born in 1925 nursed until he was two. When I had my babies
in the 90's it was he who so encouraged me to nurse! Mom bottle fed us all
because "science" said it was better. There is value and good sense to tradition; science will catch up even more I suspect, and will tell us all to drink our raw milk.
Howard C. Gray via Facebook
1. Humans weren't "designed," we evolved and are still evolving, – daily according to the latest discoveries in epigentics. 2. SOME humans HAVE adapted the mutation to digest lactose, with evidence pointing as long ago as 40K or as I suspect, even further back; most Europeans, Eurasians and a few sub-Saharan tribes have this gene. The adaption of the use of milk from mammals certainly contributed to the expansion of tribes from the Eurasian Steppes. Most misinformed or worse, uniformed attackers of raw milk consumption frequently use the "cow milk is for cows" argument when the truth is some of us have adapted and some of us have not.
Thanks Brittany for sharing your story! Your an amazing woman for what you did! I got teary remembering how hard breastfeeding was for me. But it wasn't nearly as hard as what you went through. After seeing multiple lactation specialist, it was my midwife that finally discovered that I had insufficient milk dudes. She said I was lucky that I was able to breast feed at all. I was blessed to have a sister & a best friend to donate breastmilk so I could supplement. Anyone know if there is a way to help my breast develop more milk dudes?
Brittany E.
I've never heard of insufficient milk ducts, but maybe you have plugged milk ducts? Either way… I would assume from what I've read that the "solution" would be to nurse more? Supply and demand! Another theory would be that you may have some sort of hormonal imbalance. If it was myself I would really concentrate on eating whole nourishing foods, cutting out any sort of refined foods, chemicals(shampoo, make-up, cleaners) and make sure you get exercise and fresh air. Homeopathy is a very gentle holistic approach to healing your body as well. Of course, there's the endless resource of the internet to scour… Although I'm a huge library fan, so if there's a library near you search for breastfeeding books or something of that sort. I really hope you are able to find a solution and are able to breastfeed easily soon!!
Donald Newell via Facebook
Lauren Sturm …you might find answers to your question reading this article… http://www.realmilk.com/raw.html
Catherine Camiolo via Facebook
Oops, continued …the. store is so denatured by everything they do to it that it really should not even be called milk anymore in my opinion. I would give it a try if I were you! It is also sooo delicious I'm going to go have a glass now then breastfeed my 3 month old boy
This is so true! I drank about a quart of raw milk a day while I was pregnant and continue to (she is 2 months old). Absolutely no supply issues. If she sleeps a bit later than usual there is definitely some leaking.
Pottenger, after doing his research about raw milk, gave his opinion that a woman that does not drink raw milk will "put the development of their babies in jeopardy and should not breastfeed." Everything this man learned about raw milk and its benefits is entirely true, however his statement about putting babies in jeopardy is entirely his opinion. I can't tell you, over the years of having six children, how many people's opinions, good and bad, I've had to sift through. If, however, Brittany, read Pottenger's statement, tried it, and found it helpful for her particular situation, we should all applauding this for her! After months of working so hard to breastfeed her beautiful daughters, Brittany has found what works for her! I would shout it from the rooftops too!! At every La Leche League meeting I've ever led, I state that if a mother finds some information within the meeting that she doesn't agree with, to take from the meeting what she likes and leave the rest behind. Many women posting here should follow this advice. Rejoice with Bethany, and don't jeopardize, with your words, the right for other women to hear Brittany's story and put it to the test for themselves.
Kathy Shearer Wife, Mother of 6, Farm owner, Raw milk advocate, Real food lover, fellow die-hard nursing mother, and 18-year La Leche League Leader
Brittany E
Just to answer some different comments…I'll try to answer everything(some stuff is "tongue in cheek" so don't take everything so seriously.
First of all… Thank you to Jennifer for wording your comment politely, and to Kathy(you got it right on)! I agree with you(@Jennifer) that it "seems" to say most women can't breastfeed twins… But I believe Sarah was writing what many in our culture want us to believe(NOT what I or her believe), and we're here to prove that wrong. I do know lots of women who have breastfed just fine, but I also know many, many women who have had a rough time of it, or have quit nursing because of what the doctors called "supply issues."
What I wrote is true. It all happened…and there's a lot more that I left out. My close family, friends and mostly my husband experienced my pain and trails along with me. I sometimes wish some of it didn't happen, but it did.
I grew up around breastfeeding mothers and have always believed it is the right and natural thing to do… Through this past year I kept this belief, and that is what drove me to research every aspect of breastfeeding to find out what was wrong. If there's one thing I want women to take away from this article it's to find out things for yourself. A mother's instinct is stronger than we give it credit for and I wish mothers would stop running to everyone else for advice and just trust their gut instinct. With that said, read and really research if you're having trouble breastfeeding. EVERY MOTHER is different!
Another reason I wrote this is whenever I was struggling I would google "breastfeeding success stories" or something like that… It was the stories I found on LLL, Mothering and blogs like this that kept my head above water. I'm hoping my story encourages moms to keep going.
As for Francis Pottenger… If you're skeptical read his studies! The Untold Story Of Milk by Ron Schmid is fantastic as well(no, I am not receiving any sort of compensation for any of this).
Sarah, thank you for helping answer comments… I can't believe how rude some of them were… I'm a slightly emotional nursing mother, but some of them think I don't exist, so I guess they don't believe I have feelings:) Thankfully I have a good sense of humor, two adorable babies that enjoy being nursed, a fantastic milk supply and a glass of raw milk in hand… If the milk didn't help me then maybe the magic milk fairy did?
Anything I missed?
I've found for myself that drinking about 20oz of raw milk a day is plenty for me.
Okay, if I don't respond to anymore comments for while it's because I'm a busy mom, but I will try to answer all the questions eventually.
Catherine Camiolo via Facebook
@Lauren you should try raw milk and see how it goes. Odds are you allergy developed because regular milk from
Sarah Wallace via Facebook
I meant breast milk is not solely nutritive.
thank you for this post. I`m still breastfeeing my 3 year old son. Two years ago I switched from a macrobiotic diet to Traditional Food and started drinking raw milk here in Quito-Ecuador. I love raw milk, I realized that I have always love milk since I was a child. But the only thing is: when I drink raw milk I get constipated. I want to ask you if that is normal or if I`m doing something wrong.
Here are our small family farm, we milk several jersey cows as well as our goats and drink lots of raw milk as well as yogurt and other dairy items from our animals. We sell raw milk (legally in our state, thankfully) and are advocates of raw milk. At the same time, I have to agree with some of the concerns that others have posted, and I am not sure why they are offensive. I think it is wonderful that this mama has found that raw milk has helped her! I think I was a bit put off from the very beginning, in the introduction: "managed the near impossible: nursing twins with no formula supplement!" – statements like this – to ME – seem to indicate that most women can't breastfeed twins, and I think that is completely false. Do most twin mamas breastfeed? Probably not – but I don't believe that is because they can't but because they choose not to, and certainly not because they don't drink raw milk. I breastfed (exclusively) my twins for well over a year with no problems at all – I had plenty of milk with more left over, and know lots of other twin mamas who did the same, and none of us, at the time, drank raw milk. I guess my concern (please hear my intent, I am not bashing the article, just pointing out concerns) is that articles like this can perpetuate the idea that breastfeeding is hard, that it takes some sort of wonder woman, and that you need special secret recipes (like raw milk) to be successful, and I think that can be damaging and scary to new mothers. Breastfeeding is normal and natural and how we were designed to feed our babies – and yes, I know there are exceptions, but I believe they are comparatively few. Our bodies are amazingly created and breastfeeding is a supply and demand function – when you have twins, you make more milk!
Again, I think it is WONDERFUL that raw milk helped this mommy and her sweet babies – I think it is a fantastic testimony. Just want to encourage others that the idea that breastfeeding twins without formula is "near impossible" is not accurate at all. Two babies, two breasts – perfect!
Sara r.
I didn't get the impression that the author thought that breastfeeding twins without supplementation is usually impossible, but rather that most medical professionals do. And that had certainly been my experience in talking to moms of twins. Most of the moms that I know with twins started supplementing in the hospital or were just encouraged to use formula because they were told that they wouldn't be able to make enough milk. The point of this wasn't to discourage, but rather to encourage mothers that they should try, and here is something that they can try if they feel that they have a low supply.
Just because one guy said that mothers who don't have access to raw milk shouldn't breastfeed, doesn't make it true, obviously. I don't know anything about him, but he probably also lived before a lot of the benefits of breastmilk were known. Maybe he would change his mind with the most current research, like most truth-seekers do.
Sara, it wasn't an impression, it was clearly stated as the introduction to this story – I quote:
"I am so pleased to be able to share this fascinating testimonial with you from a breastfeeding Mom who managed the near impossible: nursing twins with no formula supplement!"
There is nothing that implies in any way that only medical professionals believe this, that seems pretty straightforward to me, and only seems to reinforce this false idea. It also seems to pretty clearly indicate that without raw milk, breastfeeding twins will usually be a failure. That was how it came across to ME and therefore concerned me that it could come across that way to others, especially if they already had fears about feeding a baby (or two, or three for that matter – and yes, I know of moms of triplets who breastfed exclusively – and without raw milk). Society already makes breastfeeding a challenge to some women – breasts have become sexual images first, not food for babies. Adding to that the myth that MANY women "can't" breastfeed (again, disclaimer – I know some can't – but it is a vast minority), these things can end up squelching breastfeeding instead of encouraging it.
I am ALLLLLLL for stories like this – testimonies of how something helped someone. It is the generalizations that are the issue here – first, that breastfeeding twins without forumla is near impossible (false), and that breastfeeding without raw milk is as well – that I think should not be a part. I think it would be better to say "hey, listen to this – here is a mommy who wanted more than anything to provide her little girls the best food possible, breastmilk, and found that raw milk helped increase her supply – read her story and be encouraged, and if you are struggling, you may want to try raw milk, it just might help you, too!" That sounds much more inviting, non-judgmental, and encouraging to me. And believe me, I hate to sound picky or like I am hashing out little details, and have never commented before, this just really struck a nerve because I truly believe it is misinformation (that breastfeeding twins is near impossible). It's not – it's how we were designed and you CAN do it! Honestly, my personal opinion is that most times its because moms try to do too much – you CAN'T do it all – a busy, hectic life will decrease your supply whether you are nursing one or more babies… I'm nursing my 9th right now (15 months old) and I don't claim to be an expert, but I DO have experience, including nursing twins, so I feel like I am somewhat qualified to give some input.
sara r.
I see what you mean, but I still think that breastfeeding twins *in our society* IS "nearly impossible". It's not a problem with women, but with the system that we must breastfeed in and around. I am a twin and a preemie and grateful that my mother was determined to breastfeed my sister and I, but it was not with help from anyone but herself that my mom stuck it out.
And anyone who would read this and decide not to breastfeed because they can't get raw milk is way too impressionable and probably wouldn't have stuck it out, anyway. Sounds judgemental, but that's just my opinion.
sara r.
Oh and I think it's awesome that you know someone who breastfed triplets At my local hospital there was recently a vaginal triplet birth! Pretty cool.
I really love your response.
Jennifer that is…
Hi Jennifer
I think that is a really well written response and respect what you've said. It's certainly hard to achieve with this hot topic!
Sarah Wallace via Facebook
I mean, realistically, 95% of plastics contain estrogenic substances. Are we going to tell women they cannot breastfeed if they use/touch or eat foods that have touched plastics?
Sarah Wallace via Facebook
Consuming the milk of other animals didn't occur until much later in the evolutionary process. Perhaps some of what was inhibiting her milk supply was the chemicals in milk (I haven't read the article) and so raw milk helped her body to respond more naturally, as it is a more natural food than processed milk. However, while I am sooo happy that she has been able to continue her breastfeeding journey, I wouldn't go so far as to say that only raw milk drinkers can be good nursers. Women with lactose allergies (and there are many more than we realize; just most people don't cut out all dairy for 3 weeks to find out), vegans, and other women aren't giving their babies deficient milk. And milk is not solely nutritive; it has other benefits. The only time a woman should be discouraged from breastfeeding based on diet alone is in the case of women who are using drugs, over using alcohol, etc.
Mike F
Or has been exclusivly vegan for an extended period of time.
That's bunk- just have a look at Matt and Angela Monarch's beautiful round rosy cheeked daughter Oria- longtime raw vegans/
Sarah Wallace via Facebook
Look at it from a biological perspective. The book Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History has an incredibly interesting chapter on the origins of breast milk and how it evolved to become a food, when it was originally basically an anti-microbial wash for proto-mammalian eggs, which were carried in a pouch and were porous. Over time, it evolved to include nutritional component as well as immune support, and allowed proto-mammals to move away from a food source that was directly accessible to their young, as well as allowing their young to be "children" longer and thus absorb cultural traditions.
Sarah Wallace via Facebook
I love raw milk, and I love breastfeeding. I am still nursing my 18 month old. When I had supply problems, my friends at LLL gave me many suggestions on how to improve my milk supply. All of these suggestions had worked for some women and not for others. In the long run, what increased my supply wasn't anything I took; it was summer break! Being in close contact w/ my baby all day, and nursing on demand, upped my supply. I know I would not have gotten as far as I did, even w/ my pump, without co-sleeping as well.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story!
I am not a mother yet, I plan I getting pregnant soon, and find all of this information extremely important and empowering.
Truly thank you and keep on sharing these powerful stories ladies!
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
EXACTLY. This article is meant for EMPOWERMENT ladies.
Agreed. Why is everyone so offended by this article? I am a breastfeeding mom and I don't drink raw milk, but I found if fascinating. It is one mom's experience with breastfeeding. I even teared up a little when she said she was "DETERMINED to breastfeed" and talked about how we as a society give up too easily. Very inspiring.
Traci Gill via Facebook
It is absolutly true for the vast majority of mothers. Talk to mothers not medical "profesionals", most of which do not breastfeed for more than a few months if at all.
Jessica Warner via Facebook
How very generalizing of you and way to turn your use of advice lacking in scientific evidence into how I'm a bad guy for disagreeing. My point has nothing to do with the young womans story but the underlying crap its slinging.
thehealthyhomeeconomist via Facebook
@Jessica there is NOTHING misleading about Brittany's story. It just makes you uncomfortable because it is outside your lactation consultant playbook. What is the harm in someone trying raw milk? It could be exactly what they need. I'm sure it doesn't work in every situation, but Brittany is not claiming this! She is just sharing her personal story and you poo-pooing it is insulting. If she had used raw milk formula to solve her supply problems, you would be negative about it. If she drinks raw milk to help her supply problems, you lactation consultants are still negative. Lactation consultants can't seem to be happy unless their advice is taken and it works. Anything else is wrong and misleading. I applaud Brittany for sharing her story and SHAME ON YOU for being negative about it.
Jessica Warner via Facebook
Because it is misleading to others. It makes the assumption that this will help other mothers, as is your point to the blog, when there is no scientific evidence to back up your claim and actually evidence to the contrary. More than likely it wasn't the raw milk that helped her. Also including the quotes how NOT drinking raw milk, or any other diet for that matter may make mothers think their milk is inadequate, as the goal is with the WAPF. I'm not 'threatened' I'm annoyed at how theres enough bad information out there as it is and you're just contributing to it as well. Its about helping moms, not pushing whatever agenda Nourishing Traditions if trying to push, most likely to sell their book.
not drinking raw milk a reason not to nurse? Hardly. I find this info very misleading.
My experience is also anecdotal but MILK also helped my supply issues. The positive visualizations didn't help me have a home birth. I was so malnourished from sticking to conventional food advice in pregnancy I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome in labor and my milk took so long to come in (8 days) even my midwife was giving up on me. I truly believe the organ meats, FCLO, and raw milk could have prevented my malnutrition related pregnancy complications and would have avoided my supply issues.
I'd been lactose intolerant since I was 3 so I found milk disgusting as it generally made me vomit in under 5 min. My first sign was that I was craving pizza like mad (though I hadn't had one in over a year since I was lactose and gluten intolerant) and proceeded to eat 3/4 of a large pie in under and hour. I cried because it was the first time my hunger felt satiated in months. I read online where a woman with supply issues got 2 daily milk shakes (milk, ice cream and sugar) and it helped her breast milk supply, so I was willing to try dairy, but I looked into healthier alternatives and found about raw milk.
Since RAW MILK didn't give me digestive issues, I drank raw goat and then cow milk with no trouble and it eliminated the low supply issues I had as well when I was able to choke it down. I eventually grew to like it and even crave raw milk. I didn't have twins but I was nursing a VERY large baby. I even have photos of my pumped milk with a noticeably larger cream line and darker yellow color. Cultures that don't consume milk eat bugs… raw and cooked grubs, shrimp, lobster, crab, organ meats, natto, eggs, fish eggs and other foods with the same nutrient profile in outlandish portions, that I was not getting, didn't want to eat. The milk was so much easier. You can have your grubs and natto.
I wish the LLL book taught mention of food in the diet affecting supply. Probably is not mentioned because when it was written, they didn't starve you in pregnancy like how they do now.
I admit you have to be REALLY malnourished for it to affect your supply, but unfortunately today so many of us moms and children are barely a step above starvation even if overweight (I was very underweight). I had to hear it from the lady in the hospital who gave me my food. She took away full plate after full plate of food and finally whispered to me to eat. That was the first day I pumped any milk. I promptly asked my mom to cook meals for me and freeze them before she left to go home. All the lactation consultants never noticed I was too busy pumping to EAT. SLEEP deprivation will also affect your supply and when you are sleep deprived you need even MORE calories. You can't get milk out of a stone or a malnourished mom. So basic. It would have saved me lots of trouble.
Thanks for the article!
Jessica B.
Thank you for this! This tapering off around 7 months has been my experience with all three of my older children. My youngest is 3 1/2 mos. and I've been nervous of a repeat performance. Thank you for giving me some hope!
This is total misinformation. Breastfeeding is totally do-able without raw milk. What about women who feed their babies in third world countries? It saves their life, despite destitute nutrition. How could this happen? It is common knowledge that at 6 months the breast feels emptier and switches from mostly hormone driven to true supply and demand. Women sometimes mistakenly feel they are making less milk. This is not true, the breast simply feels different and changes as the year goes on. And, milk being "thin?" WHAT? The consistency of breastmilk has nothing to do with the quality, it's still full of nutrients. Milk may change throughout the day, in fact, without any worry at all. She is reading way into everything and her advice may be totally true in her mind, but I'm afraid she is sadly mis informed and going to cause other women to think there is something wrong with their milk. Very sad.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
You are completely misinterpreting this article. Stop commenting as you are embarrassing yourself.
Howard C. Gray via Facebook
Not surprised, fits in with the glandular therapy idea.
Nancy Flaws Hart via Facebook
What happened to my comment? It was important!
thehealthyhomeeconomist via Facebook
@Jessica If it worked then it worked. Why do you disregard and deny that raw milk helped this mother? As a lactation consultant, you should be excited that she solved her problem. Also Francis Pottenger MD researched the issue and advocated it himself. Why are you so threatened by such a simple suggestion?
Wow! Thank you so much for this article. What a testimony for raw milk. Love it!
A friend of mine forwarded me the post and I want to upload it to every social site out there! Though I'm only carrying one child, I will try raw milk to keep my supply up. You're an inspiration to mothers who want to breastfeed.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Brittany is indeed an inspiration!
Nancy Flaws Hart via Facebook
If you can get it nowadays! Only raw cheese here.
I have been breastfeeding 2 children for 5 years, so I'm speaking from experience. I don't doubt your story at all but I did note 2 things that might help you a bit. First, around 6-7 months postpartum is can seem like you milk supply drops off. Your breasts don't feel as full and all that, it is a prime time that women quite breastfeeding because they think they have supply problems that they don't really have. This is your body regulating your supply more efficiently. I think you probably DID have a supply problem, especially since you are nursing two, but that adjustment that your body makes naturally may have been a factor.
Also, it may not have been the raw milk exactly but the sugars in the raw milk that boosted your supply. I have noticed a strong correlation with going low-carb and my supply dropping off precipitously. When you mentioned the foods you included in your diet you did not mention much in the way of carbohydrates, maybe you eat plenty of rice, potatoes, oatmeal, and bread, but I noticed that you didn't mention those foods. Add plenty of carbs back, even (and especially) cookies and ice cream and you may see your supply explode. And if you are horrified my my not very Sally Fallon advice I'll just say that in reality breastfeeding is very taxing to the body and nothing is easier for your body to extract calories and nutrients from than good old refined and semi-refined carbohydrates. You have two nurslings of the same age making tremendous demands on your body, Have some ice cream ;-). And potatoes. And raw milk since that worked too! Carbs also relax the adrenals and help you feel less stressed, and that has got to a plus for a mom of twins.
If I am totally wrong about my assumptions, forgive me.
Brittany E
Totally Agree! I am actually a HUGE carb eater… I make my own sourdough bread, eat loads of potatoes and LOVE ice cream… I also ate loads of oatmeal because I knew it helped with milk supply. I'm a very "gut instinct" type person, so even though I LOVE Sally Fallon/Weston Price… I knew that I needed loads of carbs. As I'm typing this I'm eating a slice of sourdough bread with a ton of butter:)
Shari Hall
That is really good advice! I have had frequent supply issues with my children. I always adapt to a low-carb lifestyle to help lose baby weight. My youngest is now 3 months old and every time I eat sugar and carbs it does seem to help.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
The WAPF is not against carbs at all. This is a Paleo thing, not a WAPF thing. Carbs are fine traditionally prepared and as long as there are plenty of good fats like butter, cream, coconut oil etc in the diet and the carbs don't replace those good fats.
I know that WAPF is fine with carbs, but the author mentioned the Nourishing Traditions book written by Sally Fallon (which i also own) and remember her saying in a video that a 1 slice of bread would be a treat to have (rather than a staple of diet). I am paraphrasing of course. Maybe my dig was unfair, but that is how she came off to me. I will say that in order to rescue my milk supply I would not turn my nose up at carbs whether they were properly or improperly prepared. And I would not turn my nose away from sugary foods like cookies, cakes and the like for they have their place too. Especially for a nursing mom struggling with supply issues.
I don't want to come off as contrarian, i love WAPF and I am a huge proponent of eating nutrient dense foods. But all successful cultures have blended nutrient dense foods with large amounts of calorie dense carbohydrates. More and more I am seeing a witch-hunt against foods that have been the staple foods of every successful civilization and that mind-set has even leaked into the WAPF movement.
More than just being fine with carbs, under Tips for Succesful Breastfeeing in Nourishing Traditions, Sallon Fallon actually suggests porridges of soaked grains to increase milk supply. In the Beverages section, she provides a variation on Rice Milk that she calls Nursing Mothers Tonic, made with quinoa. Quinoa is also mentioned in the Whole Grains section as being valued by women in the Andes for its ability to stimulate breast milk. Although quinoa is not technically a grain, I think the point is that there are a variety of nourishing foods that may help with milk supply quantity and quality and mothers can only do their best with what is accessible to them and what works for them.
Brittany E
I should mention though that I am not encouraging refined sugars carbs… I use honey, maple syrup and sucanut for the most part. My husband likes his candy, but I really try to stay away from anything that isn't made from real food ingredients.
I just want to add my two cents worth 😉
When I had just had my son (9lb 3oz) and having gained 25+ kgs in pregnancy (I was mortified and stopped weighing myself at 25kgs!) I embarked on a low-carb, zero sugar (including fruit) diet and lost weight incredibly quickly (I ended up tiny and I should note it was before I discovered the WAPF). My milk supply was awesome and I put this down to the large amounts of protein I was consuming. I was told by a friend that protein will impact milk supply and certainly found it to be true in my case.
I guess what I'd really like to say is that I don't think, regardless of what type of diet you try to follow, that recommending cookies is exactly healthy, surely?! I guess there are many recipes in the world and maybe the ones being spoken of are very nutritious, but I just don't think it's good to be feeding that to a baby (because let's be real, it goes into your milk supply). I don't even feed that sort of food to my two year old now (as solids) so I certainly wouldn't to a breastfeeding baby.
I don't mean that offensively to the person who wrote the comment, I just think it should be pointed out that whatever the breastfeeding mother eats her baby also consumes (sugar, chemicals, MSG, etc). I was a little dense to begin with and was under the impression that only the good stuff went in (yes, as I said, dense) so figure there may be other mums out there who aren't well informed too
Good luck to everyone in their breastfeeding endeavors, regardless of diet
Cookies aside, (and I was not recommending that author eat a diet of only cookies) by your reasoning, Diana, breast feeding mothers should all eat ice cream in any quantity they desire because ice cream (old-fashioned cream, egg and sugar variety, not with all the additives) is a very close approximation of human breast milk in macronutrient content (yes, even sugar!) and even compares in micronutrient content. Cream and egg yolks are not devoid of micronutrients and sugar is not exactly the devil society has made it out to be lately.
Low-carb is great at stripping weight off, but can eventually lead to hormonal burn-out, low metabolism and muscle catabolism. It's just something to think about if someone is experiencing issues on a low carb diet. Not that I know the author was, I have no idea.
Lauren Sturm via Facebook
What can you drink if you have a milk allergy?
Erin Fleming Lembke via Facebook
Wish I had known when I was struggling with nursing!
Sarah Baker via Facebook
I share the same concerns as Jessica, above commenter. I don't doubt the benefits of raw milk in general and I'm glad that it benefited this mother. However, for Pottenger to say that any mother not drinking raw milk shouldn't breastfeed is dangerous, misleading advice. Additionally, I believe there is some very fear-based language used in the editors note, specifically saying that low-milk supply is at epidemic levels. There are so many reasons for low supply, many ofwhich are related to unhealthy birth practices. It's presumptuous to think that raw milk is the solution to every mother's supply problem.
Agreed! Agreed! Agreed!
Rachel MacPherson Crouse via Facebook
I've never had a supply issue but that's still good to know!
You gotta be kidding me. As much of an advocate of raw milk that I am (if you are going to use dairy in your diet) this is rediculous and exactly the reason why WAP loses credibility with me. This is straight from their playbook and perpetuates the idea that women are incapable of producing enough milk for their babies and need rescued. This had nothing to do with drinking raw milk, it had to do with mom losing her fears in producing enough to feed her children and releasing the stress that causes many supply issues. She may not have had a true low supply to begin with. If consuming (raw) milk is required to "make milk" what about cultures that don't consume it? The human race would have ceased to exist long ago if that were true.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Why so negative? Is this information threatening to you in some way? What is the harm in suggesting that a nursing Mom try raw milk to improve her breastmilk supply? Insisting that low supply is somehow all in a nursing mother's head is like these doctors that for years insisted that menopause symptoms were all in a woman's head too. It is wrong and discouraging and insulting to women who are really doing their very best to succeed at nursing.
Mike F
I think the problem is that making outrageous claims does more to hurt the cause than to help it. I think it is great to write about anecdotal evidence of raw milk increasing a mom's supply but the suggestion that a mom without raw milk shouldn't breast feed doesn't pass the smell test.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
This is not an outrageous claim at all. Have you even read her story or are you knee jerking on the title? Dr. Francis Pottenger MD advocated raw milk for nursing mothers. Just because this is outside the LLL playbook doesn't make it impossible.
Mike F
Yes I read the story. I believe what she is saying is 100% true, that the raw milk increased her milk supply. I'm just saying that raw milk as a mandatory prereq to breastfeeding seemingly defies common sense and will put people on the defensive when contemplating incorporating raw milk into their diet. Perhaps after I read Pottenters book and the Untold Story of Milk I'll change my mind.
It's not negative, it's pointing out the lack of science to back it. It's no secret how much WAP misleads mothers into thinking they haven't got the diet necessary to build or maintain a supply and that they completely bash the world's foremost authority on breastfeeding-La Leche League. I didn't say it was all "in your head" but stress is a primary cause for supply issues and has been proven. I fail to see how I am being discouraging and insulting, in fact I am saying the opposite. Women need no special diet in order to successfully breastfeed their babies, never have, never will, so once again the idea that you have to "drink milk to make milk" is a rediculously misleading old wives tale and is scientifically and factually inaccurate and goes directly against what proven information I give mothers daily to help them breastfeed. I would be remise if I let women believe there's one food that if they don't include in their diet they won't produce what their babies need, it is simply untrue.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
You folks are being so rude I can't even believe it. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Just because there hasn't been a double blind study on raw milk affecting breastmilk supply doesn't mean its not true or that it doesn't work.
It's not rude to point out a lack of evidence. If it's true then it would apply to all mothers and those that don't partake in raw milk consumption would have starving babies. I didn't say there can't be some health benefits to drinking raw milk but it is absolutely not necessary to human milk production.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
The evidence is that it worked for this Mom and it is an age old recommendation by Dr. Francis Pottenger MD. It is a testimonial post, not a scientific study.
Who in the world is Frances Pottenger? And why is his lack of scientific information supposed to be any more important than what you are saying? I'm sure that if he were important in the world of breastfeeding information we would all have heard of his research by now and would be using it. The problem is that this is presented as scientific, not testimonial, and even so people will take it as science. Why question the known authority of organizations that have stood the test of time like LLL and say that it comes out of the LLL playbook or a lactation consultant's playbook? That's what's insulting, not anything I have said. The issue here is truth vs. anecdotal stories and this is what makes women think they have no control over their own bodies and their ability to nourish their babies without a magic solution.
Heather- if you have to ask who Francis Pottenger is then why are you even bothering to comment or continuing to make arguments with Sarah? Let's think beyond the world as you know it to answer your own question: The reason Dr. Pottenger's work may not be well known most likely comes down to the almighty dollar. Why don't more dentists know about Westin Price? Well, because if the masses found out that we really didn't need dentists because a wholesome diet of nutrient dense foods would keep us, and our teeth healthy, then who would buy all the fluoride crap they push on us? How would dentists make money?
I would assume the analogy would also apply to Dr. Pottenger's work. No main stream medical practice is going to support a diet of raw milk to help any individual, let alone a breastfeeding mother because the masses have been so brainwashed by the government, who in turn act as mouth pieces for the very corporations that donated generously to their campaigns. Of course positve raw mlk information will continue to be shunned as long as we have The National Dairy Council to ensure that all-things-raw-milk are dangerous, so you better buy our pasteurized puss instead.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people want studies before they will believe anything to be true, which seems so backwards to me considering how many studies are either done by the government, are paid for by the government, or paid for by the company who produces the product they are trying to sell. There are usually more layers to those "studies" than the rest of us even know about, but for some reason, so willingly accept.
LLL also tells mothers to eat a low fat diet. If you're on this blog, you know the stance of the information presented, and know that it's not going to 100% jive with "the world's foremost authority on breastfeeding" which follows mainstream nutritional views. There's nothing wrong with differing opinions, regardless of how they're presented. Get off your high horse.
LOL, Susan, you've answered your own question about Pottenger. He isn't known because he clearly has nothing of value to contribute to breastfeeding or, like I said, breastfeeding experts would know about it by now. You have to be able to scientifically prove your claims to make them believable, Pottenger has not apparently been able to do that. Cassandra, I've read everything LLL has said and nowhere does LLL advocate any particular diet in its literature. There may be some different books that suggest trying certain types of dietary lifestyles among LLL libraries but there is nothing in its philosophy talking about lowfat diets. LLL recommends "foods in as close to their natural state as possible" so you should might check that out. LLL is anything but mainstream or it would attract a much broader audience and breastfeeding rates wouldn't still be lingering in the country if it were. Besides that, we are specifically talking about a particular group (WAPF) telling mothers that their milk isn't good enough if they don't follow their specific diet and its not true. Women in third world countries where the nutrition is deplorable are more than able to successfully produce a full supply and amazingly it's without the help of raw cow's milk. DIffering opinions are one thing, factually accurate and true scientific information on breastfeeding is something entirely different and I once again state in no uncertain terms that Pottenger, whoever he may be, is lacking this evidence or I'd have it in my hands now. I have no high horse to step down from, I don't need one, because I have the truth and telling moms they can't or shouldn't breastfeed is wrong on every level. Mocking LLL and lactation consultants doesn't mean that you have evidence to prove them wrong because the information is backed scientifically. No pharmaceuticals will fund it's research because it gains them nothing, medical professionals are rarely armed with factual information on it either and are also not going to gain anything from a successful breastfeeding mother. Any organization or company that tells mothers they aren't capable of breastfeeding are contributing to the problem, not providing a solution.
very well put susan
Heather – You say that 'LLL recommends "foods in as close to their natural state as possible"', which I'm interpreting to mean that you agree that the food that the mother eats impacts on breast milk production in some way. I also interpret that as the message from WAPF. WAPF recommends a range of nourishing foods from a variety of cultures around the world and if certain foods are unaccessible to women, suggests alternatives. I do not recall reading anything from WAPF that suggests that if women don't follow a specific diet that they cannot breast feed.
The quote from Pottenger is a bit different, but I think you have taken it out of the context of this story – which was one woman's heatfelt story about perservering with breastfeeding. There were no opinions masquerading as facts or scientific information and even the quote from Pottenger is clearly his just own opinion. To be honest, when I first read the quote all I registered was "raw milk is good for nursing mothers" and didn't understand what you were on about until I scrolled back up and re-read it. You mentioned in an earlier comment that breastfeading mothers just need to relax, well, maybe you just need to relax. Maybe Pottenger just got a little over-enthusiastic about his findings on raw milk and has regretted writting the last part of that quote ever since. Your agresssive stance doesn't win anyone over either.
Ummm how about you learn to spell before you get on a site and start speaking RIDICULOUSNESS.
Can science prove God exists? No. Case in point.
Brittany E.
I clarified my stance on Dr Francis Pottenger near the bottom of the comments. I have had several responses to different comments that I would appreciate if you read so that you understood me a bit better. Also, please read the last few paragraphs of my story again. I re-read everything and don't understand how you came to the conclusion that I think "women are incapable of producing enough milk for their babies and need rescued." I have taken all of your comments very seriously and was horrified when I read that sentence. I had no personal gain at stake, no underlying propaganda I was trying to infuse… It is just my plain ol breastfeeding story written to encourage nursing mothers everywhere. As a raw milk advocate, please take away the positive and encouraging aspects you can find and ignore whatever is offensive to you.
One more time I will say… The main, if not sole, purpose of this article was to encourage breastfeeding mothers. If it was taken in any other manner I apologize and hope you can erase it from your memory.
I think people are reading the part where Dr. Pottenger said you shouldn't breastfeed unless you drink raw milk, as your opinion, when I think you just found information interesting…. I love your story and think it's great. From reading through the comments, it seems people think that you think it's either drink raw milk, or don't breastfeed. That's what I've taken away from reading all the comments, anyway
Brittany E.
I feel your pain… I was there! I have a homeopathic doctor who is classically trained(you want a classically trained one) who worked with me. It was the homeopathy that finally helped the Raynauds. All of our consultations were done over the phone since a good homeopath won't need to see you in person necessarily. Since you're only 11 weeks along they may be able to heal and prepare you before the baby even comes. Here is my homeopaths website http://www.carolesummer.com/ Email her or search in your area to see if there's another homeopath.
I know how frustrating it is when everyone keeps telling you to "buck up" the pain will go away… And it doesn't. And pumping hurts. I really hope this helps you in some way! I'll pray for you.
K. Manes
Thank you. Thank you so much.
K. Manes
Brittany, (or anyone that can help)
I have a beautiful 2.5 year old little girl. I was only able to breastfeed her for 3.5 weeks. Breastfeeding, for me, was an incredibly painful experience. After two treatments for yeast, several visits to the lactation consultant and a frantic call to the La Leche League for help with the pain, I decided to quit. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done.
I'm pregnant again with my second (only 11 weeks along) and trying to do everything I can do figure out a way around this unexplained pain so I can breastfeed this baby. All throughout my pregnancy with my first, my nipples were very sensitive. Now, when you're pregnant, you read about having sensitive nipples. How are you supposed to know what's sensitive and what's ABNORMALLY sensitive. I didn't. When I nursed my first for the first time, I expected a little pain, so I tried to buckle down and get through it – but it NEVER stopped. My nipples hurt 24 hours a day from the first feeding. While we were still in the hospital, I couldn't even put my daughter to my breast, it hurt SO bad. (I pumped at home for three weeks and that was excruciating. Nipple shields didn't work either…) There were lactation consultants in and out of my room, each one having to see me cry – each one with colder hands than the next. Each new consultant came into the room thinking she was going to solve my "latch problem" but no consultant ever found a problem with the latch. No one could understand the reason for my pain and after a while I think I was categorized as a "wimp." Now, WIMP I AM NOT. I can deal with my share of pain – but this – this was crippling. I couldn't even hold my baby to my chest.
I'm sorry – I could go on… I'm just looking for help here. In the article above, You mentioned Raynaud Phenomenon. I've done some investigation into this – but I haven't found anything that would help – if it IS my problem. ANY advice anyone has that reads this comment will be welcomed. I'd love to have as many resources as possible to give breastfeeding the best possible chance.
Note: I will be going back to work after 12 weeks maternity leave, so I will eventually have to pump to establish the supply for while I'm at work.
I would like to suggest a high quality coconut oil since it has very high concentrations of lauric acid even more so than human breastmilk. I haven't had any babies yet but I plan on continuing to drink it and slather it on because for me it has worked WONDERS!
I am currently nursing a very wiggly 15 month old. He's my second, I attempted to nurse my first but listened to all the wrong people and ended up not being successful. For my second, I pretty much cried the frist few weeks whenever my son wanted to nurse. When just a couple weeks old he wanted to nurse for 30 minutes on each side and one nursing session ended up being 2 hours long because I switch him back and forth due to the pain. I used lanolin cream constantly…smeared it on thick every single time I nursed. That helped. Hot showers. Heavy sweaters/warm clothes helped–I hated being cold (if you know what I mean!). I refused to supplement with formula because that was my severe downfall with my first one.
One thing a friend told me when my son was still in the hospital: it hurts now, but every day it will get better and pretty soon it will feel great to nurse. I kept that in my mind, focused on it. Determined myself. It gradually got better and at about 4-5 weeks it got much better. Stay focused–it gets SO much better.
The more you nurse, the more milk you will have. The more you nurse, the faster your body will toughen up and then less painful it will be to nurse.
I had a lot of opposition…no one on either side of my family nursed and were (are still) somewhat negative to the idea. I decided I don't care what they think. I made the decision straight away to NOT listen to anyone who hadn't nursed for AT LEAST 6 months. They did what they thought was best, and now it's my turn to do what's best for me and my family. Poo on them for thinking otherwise!
Hope this helps!
In case you don't know about it…check out the "The Leaky B@@B" on Facebook. Really awesome website for breastfeeding support. I don't think I would have made it without them. I started following and reading on their at the beginning of my pregnancy and haven't looked back.
K. Manes
I'll look into it, definitely – but the pain I'm talking about wasn't just when my little one wanted to nurse. This was crippling pain (not being able to wear clothes) All. The. Time. I never got relief from the pain. Now, I can withstand a low, constant ache. But this – this was like someone held a lighter under my nipples while I stood naked in a freezer – ALL THE TIME (pardon the visual, but it gets the point across). Warm baths didn't help. ANY contact to the nipple area was sharp, intense pain – the kind you can't just "get through." I compare it to the involuntary reaction of yanking your hand away from the object that burns you. It's like there's no choice. I cried each time I pumped because it hurt worse. I'm know this is a lengthy explanation, but no one could find the cause for my constant pain. I'm going to look into the homeopath direction because even my OB admittedly has never run across my symptoms. (Which is why I went through two treatments for yeast – I didn't have yeast.) I'm convinced there's an answer – I just haven't been able to find anyone with my symptoms that has found a solution. Discouraging at best. Especially when someone says, "oh, it's the latch." or "You've just got to stick it out." Frustrating.
Off the cuff what come to my mind is that you might have some type of hormonal imbalance causing the pain.
K, have you looked into supplementing with a Lugol's iodine? This may or may not help, but I've joined an iodine group due to thyroid issues and there are many women there who have overcome different breast issues with iodine supplementation. They have even had their breast cysts shrink after iodine supplementation. Search up on the topic and you'll find many sites and how they recommend iodine supplementation during pregnancy. Pregnant and lactating women need additional iodine and it's also helps with neuro development in babies.
Vikki Kay
I agree with Frances. I had terrible pain through breastfeeding child 1, and he ended up often drinking bloody milk because of all the fissures in my nipples (I drew the line at storing 'pink' milk after pumping though!). I also had mastitis several times to make me even more miserable and achey. I asked every midwife I saw to check his latch, which was fine, and thankfully I had no problems with supply. With my second child I was under the care of a homeopath specialising in women's issues. Bless her, she diagnosed hormonal problems straight away and my 2nd child's breastfeeding was an absolute joy. I understand systemic candida infestation may also be a cause of breast-feeding pain.
And… after feeling so guilty for 'giving up' on breastfeeding at 11 months for baby 1, baby 2 finished up at 11 months as well!…
I was the same as you – BAD start with very sensitive nipples and painful breasts but after a few months it was fine and dandy. I did need to see a couple of lactation consultants before it got sorted and my son had his tongue tie cut too.
I nursed him for 21 months and whilst I ended up having 5 lactation consultant sessions during that time they were worth every penny as they kept us feeding.
Side note: alot of people think around the 9 month stage that their baby is self-weaning. My little guy refused me for four days and I had to pump during this time and feed it to him via a bottle. I spoke to a lactation consultant who said that it's often a time when babies get increased mobility and are teething which combined can be quite upsetting so they won't feed. I persevered, sitting with my top off and having fun times with him until he felt relaxed enough to latch on. Obviously it worked as we made it to 21 months, when I made the decision to stop feeding. (hope that helps someone :))
My biggest tip to any mums having supply issue is to increase your protein intake. I was fortunate to have been given this advice by a friend early on and sure enough, if I didn't have a large amount of protein one day the next I'd have a lower milk supply.
Thanks for sharing your story Brittany. Bugger the people that misquote and misinterpret what you and the WAPF have written. Each to their own but people should still be respectful of others experiences and be nice in disagreeing!
My baby clamped on just like the reflex she's talking about. And despite all the professional around me saying otherwise, I was certain she had tongue tie (much more common than you'd think…it's also hereditary but many people don't know they have it because they were fed formula in bottles and isn't a problem). Every latch was so painful and she was constantly slipping off. We couldnt even lay down to nurse because it strained her neck too much. My lactation consultant said it wasn't tongue tie and that I needed to stop stressing, but I knew she wasn't getting enough and that it was causing my low milk supply. To make sure she got enough, i nursed her round the clock for 6 months while i tried every natural remedy under the sun to fix my low milk. I was hoping to avoid surgery and figured I would just try to fix my supply with lactogenic foods…all those grains and herbs though properly prepared made it worse. At 6 months we flew to Albany, NY to see Dr Kotlow (the best in laser surgery for pediatric tongue tie surgery) and he said hers was difficult to diagnose if you don't know what you're looking for but that she had a pretty bad case as well as under her top lip tie. The surgery took 10 minutes, no anesthesia and she was able to nurse immediately. He said latch should no longer be painful…he was right! I never again had to slather on coconut oil before feelings! From then on, my milk supply increased and I never had sore nipples! Keep fighting for your motherly instincts. If you think something is off, don't stop searching until you find the answers. It was a hard lesson, but I kept praying that I would find the answer and that God would make up the difference for my inadequacy. Little by little He would show me answers. I found out about GAPS shortly after her surgery and tha has helped us immensely! My baby is no longer constipated due to Dr Natasha Cambell-McBride's solid food introduction diet! All the best to you in our journey!
To K. Manes – I had massive breastfeeding issues as well, including low milk supply (my son is now 15 months old) which I did EVERYTHING in the world I could possibly do for and had no luck increasing. It was so emotional a time for me that I can't even write about it without tearing up. My suggestion, and what I ended up doing, thanks to Sarah, is making the cow milk based homemade baby formula. Sarah has a wonderful video on how easy it is to make and that is what finally convinced me I needed to do that. I had absolutely no choice in doing this because my baby was HUNGRY. At least look into it and have it as an option. And do not feel like you are not a wonderful mom if you need to do it. LLL and LC's only know so much and you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of the lovely kiddos. I can't help with what might be wrong with your pain issues, but look into the homemade formula. It saved my baby's life.
Hi K. Manes or anyone else, If yeast is part of the problem, I recommend trying to improve your gut flora from within eg GAPS of Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride e.g. eating more broth and building up on fermented foods and probiotics in pregnancy slowly if you're not used to it. Also, externally you can apply kefir (or live yoghurt) to the breasts and armpits before the birth to populate the area with beneficial flora. Best done daily for at least last trimester. This can also be done to the groin area by the way, so baby picks up extra flora at the birth. So even if this does not help the breastfeeding issues at least it will have partly benefited your new baby with some beneficial flora. Hope that helps.
K. Manes,
I am so sorry to hear about your nipple oversensitivity! Good for you trying to work it out before your next one is born. I have what might sound like an odd suggestion: Chiropractic. It sounds like where your nipples are concerned, your nervous system is in overdrive. While most people think of chiropractors as people to go to primarily for back pain, they are nervous system specialists. Since all your nerves run through your spinal column, then out to the various parts of your body from between the disks, having a disk tipped one way or the other can make that part of your nervous system over or under perform. That could be what is going on with you, especially since your problem is obviously not latch related! I wish you the best of luck in your healing, however you may find it! Blessings!
Christy Hermida Harvey via Facebook
I didn't learn about raw milk until it was time for my first born to start drinking cow milk. I struggled with my supply even with fenugreek and mothers milk tea and oatmeal most mornings. It was very stressful, but I barely made it to 13 months. With my second I was on The raw milk train and my supply was overwhelming. It was nice and thick and creamy, very much different from the first time around. I had not read this book but I saw a difference and am grateful. I love how at the end she says that we as a society think that if something is gut wrenching painful that it just isn't going to work out. So glad she proved them wrong. I can definitely relate personality wise:)
Ashley Rozenberg via Facebook
I think if my supply were to explode any more than it already did *I* would have exploded.
Jessica Warner via Facebook
This is not true. We as humans are not designed to consume other milks besides our own. SO NOT consuming raw milk is not a reason to not breastfeed and does nothing to alter the supply or the quality of your milk. I have gone through the information the Nourishing Traditions and WAPF has said about breastfeeding and breast milk and it is very very very misinformed. I'm a huge raw milk advocate and drinker, I'm a breastfeeding mom, and I'm a Lactation Counselor and I'm telling you this whole thing and that book are complete and utter BS.
This post makes no sense to me.
I agree. I get very disturbed by the WAP's distorted view on breastfeeding. Isn't the main supply issue almost always supply and demand? (BTW I am still nursing my 23 month old twins. It is definitely possible despite what the intro to the post says about almost always having to supplement with formula??? What a poor message to send).
I picked up on that too. Breastmilk is produced on a supply and demand basis, the more you nurse, the more milk you make. Drinking unpasturused cows milk isn't going to make any difference, but may well put you at risk of a variety of pathogens (which is why we pasteurise milk….) and saying most twin mums need to supplement with formula is not true and really negative!!
Brittany E.
Clarification… I kept wondering why people were saying that I said most twin mothers had to supplement. I was repeating what every doctor and nurse said to me… I DO NOT believe that twin mothers need to supplement! If you'll read my story again I think you'll see I believe the opposite. The ENTIRE reason I asked Sarah to share my story was because I wanted to have a testimony of a successful breastfeeding twin mom out there. If you have the time scroll down and read all of my comments… I've been slowly trying to answer everyone, but I don't have enough time. It's 8:30pm here…which is almost my bedtime:) I believe you may find that I've clarified most points that have been brought up.
Brittany E.
Just a note… My 14 month old twin daughters who are now sleeping contentedly don't think that this whole thing is BS. If the whole raw milk offends you then pretend I'm talking about orange juice or something else, re-read my story, then pretend how encouraged you are that one more mother has gone against the norm and succeeded at breastfeeding. Since you are a Lactation Counselor you must have been overjoyed at my success despite the discouragement I received from less-encouraging Lactation Counselors(thank goodness they weren't like you). Thank you again for your kind words and support.
Sorry if my sarcastic tone offends you… You calling my breastfeeding story BS offends me… Thankfully it does not offend my daughters who nurse on despite the discouraging comments!
PS I'm also interested in your comment about humans not being designed to consume other milks…then you say you're a raw milk advocate…
Brittany E.
That last comment was for Jessica Warner, but I shouldn't have posted it. I think my anger finally go the better of me and I'm sorry Jessica… Your entitled to your opinion and I took it too personally. Please really read all of my comments and re-read my article. I hope it clarifies some things for you.
I don't think you went too far Brittany (in regards to your response to the negative comments). The internet has allowed us to lose our manners somewhat and the people commenting on your story need to be reminded that they are talking to a real, live, woman who has feelings and emotions. You made yourself vulnerable by sharing this intimate story to encourage others and I want to thank you for that.
Helen T
Brittany – I think you've been respectful….and very helpful to answer so many comments.
Thank you Jessica Warner- totally agreed! I nursed my first two (full term homebirthed twins) until they were 4.5 years old- those girls never had a bottle, no supplements were needed and I never touched dairy foods either.
Chrystina Swain via Facebook
Imagine that!
Jessica Klieman via Facebook
Any dairy I eat, even raw totally messes with my little one. Sours her stomach.
thehealthyhomeeconomist via Facebook
@Kateri Seems like you are improving your supply with each baby rather than it getting worse which is the typical scenario. Excellent!
Kateri Scott via Facebook
Didn't quite work for me. Despite drinking raw milk as well as mother's milk tea and taking supplements, my milk supply dried up at 9 months. Although, that's a far cry from the 4 months and 3 months it dried up with my first two babies. I am currently breast feeding my 4th child and so far so good. Mother's milk tea every morning, kombucha and raw milk during the day. Coconut milk seems to be helping, too.
My son was born three months early. I pumped lots of milk. My supply was poor for four weeks. Then someone told me to take fenugreek – was already drinking raw milk – and I never had another problem. Had more milk than I needed.
This was so so so so great!! Thanks a MILLION for sharing. My lovely SIL is having twins very soon. I am forwarding this to her now!!
thehealthyhomeeconomist via Facebook
I am very familiar with Dr. Pottenger MDs work and had no idea he knew and recommended raw milk so strongly for breastfeeding Moms.
Jessica Trammell via Facebook
Very encouraging
Rosa Corr via Facebook
good to know!! thanks
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
The thing I like the most about this post with all the crazy and wild commenting on both sides is that it shows that this information has gotten outside of the "safe zone" of folks who know that nutrition does indeed affect breastmilk quality and has made its way out into the masses who are just hearing about it for the first time or have believed the LLL misinformation that diet has nothing to do with breastmilk quality (when there are plenty of scientific studies that show that diet has a HUGE impact on breastmilk quality … the China breastmilk study being a big one). Of course, some will be in denial and will attack the information and become very defensive but others – many who will not comment = will simply use the information in a positive way. I am glad that this post will help so many women out there and the negative comments by a few small minded people will in no way change this.
I just wanted to say how interesting this was to read. I nursed four babies (singletons) successfully, and we eat mostly from scratch here. Because LLL is such a wonderful support network for women, it is surprising to find that the information about nutrition and breastmilk is wrong.
The one positive I see with this wrong information is that moms who do not eat terribly well may go ahead and nurse, something that is still better than formula. It is difficult to change your diet, and anyway, there is a total lack of consensus "out there" about what is healthy eating. At my house we are slowing transitioning to more 'traditional' ways of eating, but even some of these things are up for debate, regarding their nutritional value.
Thanks SO much for sharing this! My mom back in 1957 fought the hospital where I was born in by pretending to "accidentally" knock over the glass bottles of formula the nurses kept bringing in so she could secretly breast feed me. They eventually got the message.
Helen T
Great story, Martha! I wish my own mother would have been as clever. She bought into the trend not to breastfeed, unfortunately…..