momtothree Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 I've read that starting a lower carb, grain and sugar free diet can cause die off and the toxins can enter the milk supply. I've even read some seriously disturbing accounts of breastfeeding and pregnant women starting the GAPS diet and it harming their children. Can anyone address this? I'm nursing a four month old and I've noticed, since starting the Whole30 four days ago, she has been extra fussy at the breast. It could just be coincidence but my anxiety is getting the better of me. I guess I just need some reassurance that doing this won't harm my baby. (I did read the article on this thread about the safety of doing this diet while nursing but this particular issue wasn't addressed.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrustdc Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Toxins are shed in breast milk, but my gut says, on balance, the benefits outweigh the risks. If you stay with this, your body will clear the harmful substances - and breast milk isn;t the only pathway for doing that, so it's not all going to her. Once they're gone, she will be getting all the benefits of your improved diet. The alternative is you continuing to eat a diet that is not optimally healthy to you, nor to her. When you are healthier and happier you will find it easier to be the kind of parent you want to be, and that is crucial for her health, too. I totally understand the worry. I find one of the hardest things about parenting to be the uncertainty. Hugs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin D Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 momtothree-I just finished my second Whole30 3 days ago while nursing a 9 month old, and I have not noticed any difference in her demeanor. Whenever I read evasive accounts about "toxins" being "dumped" into breastmilk, my BS (sorry for the language) alarm immediately goes off. Those accounts never seem to be specific and they just seem to be yet another tool to make mothers crazy. In fact, there have been studies indicating that the medical community is far too quick to blame mama's diet for baby's fussiness than to look for other possible causes of colic or general unhappiness (like acid reflux). And jrustdc is right--you shouldn't keep yourself from adjusting your diet and being happy based on something that might happen. Good luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtothree Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Thanks both of you! I'm hoping the Whole30 helps me with anxiety. I spent nearly all of last night worrying about this. I feel better, Robin, knowing it didn't harm your baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikben Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I'm nursing my 8 month old & was no grains & about 85% paleo before I did my first whole 30 in July. You are not harming your baby:) It's hard not to second guess yourself when you hear things like that & have post-pregnancy hormones to deal with:/ Be confident in knowing you are not only bettering your health, but your baby's health too:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmeteach Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I did the SCD diet back in January when my son was 6 months old. My naturopath warned me that I might feel the effects of the die off, but that my baby would be okay. She did say that I needed to stay hydrated or my milk supply might dip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtothree Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Staying hydrated is a good reminder. I tend to forget to drink in between meals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deann_m Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Yes, stay hydrated and try to make sure you are getting enough fats in your diet! Maybe supplementing with a GOOD cod liver oil. I like Green Pastures brand. (Dallas and Melissa say that is totally fine in the section on pregnancy and breastfeeding in ISWF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noelle Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I'm late to this discussion, but this was really comforting to me. My four-month-old has been much fussier since I changed my diet...but she's also teething like crazy. Of course, my paranoid mommy-brain goes right to, "Oh, no! What if I'm hurting my baby?!" I feel so much better after just a week, I really can't imagine I'm doing anything bad for my little one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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