Any expectant moms still nursing????

[mum2sarah]

I am 9 weeks pregnant and still nursing my 16 month old toddler. I have recently become a vegan (I had been a lacto-ovo vegetarian), and am having certain food aversions which I used to enjoy, such as beans, tofu, and "fake" meats like veggie burgers. It's been difficult for me to keep up with my ongoing hunger in a nutrious way. I often find myself chowing down on things like bowls of "Organic Kidz Koala Krisp Cereal" with soymilk. I do try also to snack on more healthful foods like Luna bars and fruit (one day I ate 4 bananas!).

If there are any other expectant moms out there who are still nursing or moms who have been in this situation, how do you be sure you're getting adaquete nutrition on a vegan diet, especially when you have certain food aversions? I know I'm probably worrying too much, as my daughter seems very healthy, I feel great, and I was able to hear a clear strong heartbeat at my first prenatal visit yesterday, but any suggestions would be most appreciated, as I am still very new to veganism.

[Christa]

I am not currently in this situation, but I was. Angelina, my older daughter was 16 months old when I got pregnant with Tessa. I continued to nurse Angelina until she was about 21 months & I was 5 months pregnant. She seemed ready to wean at that point, so it wasn't too tough. Tessa nursed a bit longer, 28 months, but she was my last so I wasn't contending with another pregnancy.

I can't say that I was outrageously concerned about getting added nutrients while pregnant & nursing; I actually wasn't even as good about taking my prenatal vitamins with #2 as I was with #1. Tessa was born weighing 8lbs, 3ozs, so I mustn't have been eating too poorly! I was vegan for about 10yrs before I became pregnant with my first, though, so I guess that I was beyond worrying too much.

I think that the main thing that I found myself eating more of while pregnant & nursing was fats. I ate tons of guacamole with vegis like carrots & cucumbers. I also seemed to eat a lot of rice pilaf type dishes with vegis like spinach & broccoli mixed in & a good amount of olive oil. I have always been pretty fond on nutritional yeast, so I ate that pretty regularly sprinkled on foods & on popcorn.

Good luck; it is definately doable.

[capersmama]

I was nursing my son Caper (3 1/2 yrs old) until I was 2 1/2 mos pg. Then he decided he wanted to wean. It about broke my heart..lol. But I figure I can use a 6 mos break inbetween nursing..lol..I can easily see going another 3 1/2 yrs with the new baby.

[mum2sarah]

It's good to hear from others who nursed during pregnancy, so I don't feel so alone. Even though I do know some LLL moms who have nursed through pregnancy, they are not vegans. I guess I just needed some help shutting up that evil voice that society produced in my head that keeps bugging me and questioning whether I can adaquetely nourish myself, my unborn child, and my nursling on a vegan diet. I know I can do it, it's just remnants of the old ways; you know? Thanks for the encouragement!

[5xblessed]

This is late. I've been busy with end of summer stuff. I have been nusing through this pregnancy. ( I was just vegetarian with others, even though I nursed through them too). I just eat normally. I think my milk did sort of disappear from about the 3rd through the 7th month. Fletch would say things like "all gone". Now I have noticed colostrum and he is nursing more frequently than he did for awhile. I really thought he had weaned, just nursing maybe once/day. He's probably back to 3 quick snacks again. I do know that there is a product called More Milk II that is homeopathic that is to increase milk supply. Just eat well and don't worry too much.
Lisa

[veganmama]

My son was 2 when I got pg. He was nursing twice a day. He did self wean at9 weeks pregnant. Some toddlers self wean because the supply decreases, taste changes, milk turns to colostrum, etc. Nutrition is important in a vegan pregnancy whether you still nurse or not. Follow what your body is craving or asking for. If beans and tofu make you sick, eat that cereal, but also add greens if possible, brown rice, try peanut butter, nuts, etc. I was so very sick (throwing up) the first 15 weeks of my pregnancy all I ate were potatoes. I sliced them thin and baked them on a cookie sheet and ate them with katsup. Nothing else sounded ok. I couldn't even take my prenatals till I was 15 weeks. Our bodies do a good job of storing what we need, and you should have your taste for food returning in the second trimester. Eat the best you can, but listen to your body. BTW, salads and fruit were what saved me (besides potatoes!)

Congrats on your vegan pregnancy!!!!
VM