Paleo Moms

shuki_cotren

I had a baby 15 months ago. She is a little darling. However, she's had a bunch of health issues. Most of them I do not believe can be associated with my diet or her diet (such as her congenital heart defect- a medium sized ASD and the PDA that she was born with and had to have corrective surgery for at 2 months old). She breastfed and/or was fed pumped breastmilk for about 3 months. Then she was on milk-based formula. However, I'm wondering if our diets could have been associated with the following:

She had terrible colic (up and scream-crying like she was in :"pain" from anytime in the evening starting between 6 or 9pm and lasting until 1 or 2 in the morning EVERY NIGHT for at least 2 months. Between 1 month old and 4 months old, I believe.

And she had bad projectile vomit which is assumed to be associated with her acid reflux. She still has occasional reflux issues and is still taking Zantac.

For my next pregnancy...which I may be planning for sometime next year, I'm wondering if I should follow strict paleo (eating much more calories than I am now, obviously) Right now I only eat between 1300-1500 because I don't get off my butt and exercise and I still want to see weight loss.

Does anyone here have any experience with eating "paleo" during pregnancy and still having a baby with colic? I'm just wondering if the paleo/primal diets have had any effect on any baby issues.

Dragonwolf

It's possible she can't tolerate cow milk-based formula, which might be the cause of the acid reflux (if not also the colic). You can switch to goat's milk and see if that helps. This site http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-kids/ also mentions liver-based and has some homemade recipes.

At nearly a year and a half old, your baby is probably ready for solids, so don't be afraid to start her on bananas, avocados, or other Paleo foods (my son loved a combination of butternut squash or avocado, mixed with home made applesauce). One of the best thing to do with home made baby foods is to get a bunch of ice cube trays, make up a bunch of food, and put them in the ice trays and freeze them. Each cube is about an ounce, and it makes it easy to pull one or two out, defrost them, and serve! (Pro tip - you don't need to start your baby on rice and other grains.)

All that said, with regards to your next pregnancy, I know that a lot of the common food allergens can be passed through breastmilk. So, for example, if your baby can't handle cow's milk, s/he'll have issues with your breastmilk if you drink cow's milk. Same with things like peanuts and (I think) gluten.

Additionally, I believe there have been shown to be developmental differences in infants and babies whose mothers had grain-free diets since at least pregnancy. There is a possibility that the effects of things like congenital issues may be mitigated with grain-free diets. It's also known that, of course, nutrients are passed to the baby, so it would stand to reason that a diet that's more nutrient rich and has fewer anti-nutrients and nutrient-binding agents would mean more nutrients get to the baby, resulting in better development.

Unfortunately, there are some things that diet can't control - so there's still a chance of congenital issues happening, and it's still possible that your next baby will have colic (because, of course, the cause of colic isn't really known). There's also the fact that we're complex beings and there are simply too many variables to say for sure whether your diet contributed to, or prevented, issues in one child or another. That said, it won't hurt to follow Paleo (even strict Paleo) during your next pregnancy.

lrmall01

You might want to grab a copy of this book: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/celebrate-the-birth-of-the-better-baby-book/

I haven't read it but most of Asprey's stuff is in line with Paleo principles. He often refers to his "bulletproof diet" as Paleo 2.0 or upgraded paleo (marketing ploy, I know).

shuki_cotren

It's possible she can't tolerate cow milk-based formula, which might be the cause of the acid reflux (if not also the colic). You can switch to goat's milk and see if that helps. This site http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-kids/ also mentions liver-based and has some homemade recipes.

We have had her on goats milk since she was 1 year old. It seems like it helps a little with the tummy issues/reflux.

shuki_cotren

You might want to grab a copy of this book: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/celebrate-the-birth-of-the-better-baby-book/

I haven't read it but most of Asprey's stuff is in line with Paleo principles. He often refers to his "bulletproof diet" as Paleo 2.0 or upgraded paleo (marketing ploy, I know).

\

Thanks! I'll check it out!

Akimajuktuq

A Paleo diet is awesome for pregnancy but just be sure to eat lots of fat. It would be awesome for your little one too; same caveat, lots of fat.

You might find the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) by Dr. Natascha McBride-Campbell useful. Dairy could certainly be a big part of the problem and assuming that it's pasteurized, there's really no benefit from it at all. The calcium in it is also not bio-available so that argument fails. Pasteurized milk no longer has any beneficial bacteria or enzymes so it's basically just drinking a cup of sugar (lactose). I gave my child goat's milk after breast milk but it was pasteurized so, again, not beneficial and continuing with giving her pasteurized milks just lead to cavities, sinus issues, and likely worsened the ear infections (she does NOT get ear infections anymore and it was initially caused by antibiotics-which upset her body's natural flora).

Also, do lots of research and find a way to stop using the Zantac. Your baby likely needs her gut flora re-populated. Antacids are terrible and considering many Americans actually have a DEFICIENCY of stomach acid you can imagine how antacids make the issue worse. I have had terrible GERD all of my life, and ulcers, until I became Primal/Paleo. I have permanent scarring of my esophagus. I was prescribed antacids many times and all it did was make me sicker. My dietary change resolved my stomach and intestinal issues within ONE WEEK.

I agree that no baby NEEDS grains. A Paleo diet with enough protein and fat is absolutely ideal.

mybelovedrebel

Even before I found Paleo I used Real Food for Mother and Baby. I highly recommend it. It isn't necessarily Paleo or Primal but concurs with most of the principles and is a fascinating analysis of some wide ranging research. Also it is a good read!

joybedford

I have no experience of paleo in pregnancy or breastfeeding but my son was severely lactose intolerant. He was OK while I was breastfeeding but he is a twin and I couldn't produce enough milk for him and his sister so they required formula. From introducing this totally at 4 weeks old his colic got progressively worse to the point where he would just scream obviously in agony and all I could do was watch unable to comfort him. By chance I stumbled across a lactose free formula and he was a different baby. However the slightest amount of lactose would trigger crippling pain and diarrhea, this lasted until he 5 years old. Now age 9 he automatically refuses milk products like ice cream and yoghurt. He has milk on cereal and in coffee but wouldn't drink milkshake. He also has severe ADHD and milk products make him even more hyperactive. My heart goes out to you because it wasn't a fun time for anyone. I myself am milk intolerant as well as other intolerances and paleo works for me.if I can help in any way please ask.

spatulathumbs

Even before I found Paleo I used Real Food for Mother and Baby. I highly recommend it. It isn't necessarily Paleo or Primal but concurs with most of the principles and is a fascinating analysis of some wide ranging research. Also it is a good read!

I also really enjoyed this book. From what it sounds like, dairy may be an issue for her. An infant probiotic and some good healthy eating may reduce her discomfort, and for us too that was a diet rich in good fats, meats, leafy greens... Now, you're also getting into the age where they start to really have preferences for what they want to eat and not eat, so shifting her to a more Paleo diet might be a bit of a challenge, but give it a go and see if it helps?