Iron Issues in Babies Starting Solids

Some babies can become iron deficient. It is important that if this baby is still being breastfed that mom take supplements and foods necessary to increase iron content in her breastmilk.

If baby is eating solids some great foods to help increase iron are, baked sweet potato, fortified with brewers yeast and/or blackstrap molasses. This is a great combination!

Also slightly steamed spinach WITH oranges, or another vitamin C source is great too!

Other options for children under 12 months of age, raisins, prunes, apricots (dried), figs, peaches, pears, tomatos, turnip greens, collard greens (my son, JP, LOVES collard greens), winter squash.

If you are giving meats options available are liver, beef, chicken, turkey, fish, and pork. Please keep in mind it is most beneficial for all animal products to come from an organic, free-range, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, vaccine-free animal.

If your child is 28 months, or close to that age, and you have begun giving grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds, you have even more options, like, pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, peas, and lentils.

Soaked and sprouted is the best way to eat any grain, legume, bean, nut, or seed. This activiates the enzymes in them and aids in digestion and absorption.

It is very important to couple your iron sources with a good source of vitamin C to help the body use the iron.

Great vitamin C sources are, oranges, orange juice (fresh squeezed), grapefruit, grapefruit juice (fresh squeezed), cantaloupe, mango, papaya, strawberries, guava, cabbage, green chilies, red chilies, green pepper, tomato, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.

If baby is breastfeeding still, Mom needs to utilize these things in her diet too, to help increase the iron in her breastmilk.

There are iron supplements available on the market, but that should really only be used as a last resort, and truly in a health crisis situation.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene
Holistic Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist
Wellness Consultant

P.S. Regarding iron content in breastmilk!

According to Kellymom.com and MANY other trained lactation consultants, etc., what I presented here regarding the ability to increase iron in breastmilk is not true.

While I am not a lactation consultant, I AM a Certified Breastfeeding Educator with my BS in Anatomy and Physiology from Parker College or Chiropractic. I was at one point in my life studying to become a chiropractor. Nutrition is heavily emphasize in chiropractic school and is a great passion of mine. Thus I am working on my Masters in Nutrition. I have simply chosen not to become an IBCLC, as lactation management and clinical care during lactation are not my interest, only nutrition for lactation mothers and babies!

Here is my response to this, rather unfounded claim, IMO, of iron not being able to be replenished in breastmilk:

I have heard this a lot during my breastfeeding training over the past 3 years, and it has always been curious to me as to why they say this. There is never an explanation, just a statement, and I have not yet found any research that specifically says that iron content in mother's milk cannot be raised. I am not saying there is not research done on this, just that I still have not found it, and I am a research junkie!! :o) Chiropractic school will do that to you!

The reason I believe that it can be raised is because of my training in human biochemistry and physiology.

How did iron get in the breastmilk to begin with, that supposedly only lasts for 6 months. Yet, research has shown that if a breastfeeding mother takes iron supplements it can cause constipation in baby, which is a side effect of taking iron supplements to mom even. That, to me, shows that it must be getting into the breastmilk.

If what mother eats is what determines the nutrient and mineral content of mothers milk then why is it that iron, and a few other minerals are claimed to not be able to be replenished?

I simply don't understand why they say it cannot, and I have not seen any research that shows that it cannot, and my education in biochemistry and physiology says that it should be completely possible for iron or any other nutrient, vitamin, or mineral to be increased in breastmilk.

Lactoferrin is present, and other iron containing enzymes, it just doesn't make much sense to me at all.

That is why I believe as I do and promote as I do.

Also, I promote a whole food method of achieving nutritional needs, not artificial supplementation and so it would be beneficial to mom and baby regardless, even if for some reason, unknown to me, that iron does not increase in the breastmilk.

It would also make since to me that what research is out there, that I have not found yet, that shows that iron levels cannot be increased in a mother's milk would be based on artificial supplementation with synthetic iron, and not from whole food sources in the diet.





It is very well known that our bodies absorb and utilize nutrients, vitamins, and minerals more readily from natural whole food sources, than from processed, synthetic pills!


Thus, holistic practitioners promote nutrition FIRST, and then whole food supplementation! Never, or hardly ever, is a synthetic supplement recommended by a holistic practitioner.

Just my holistic and personal perspective on the iron issue with breastmilk.

Each person is welcome to take it all as you wish, I just question things, and don't like blanket statements with no explanation to them. I always encourage others to question and do their own research and come to their own decisions on issues. Never take things for granted!

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene

More Ins-n-Outs of Introducing Solids to Baby in a Holistic Approach

Whenever introducing a new food, no matter what the age is, always do one at a time, and wait at least 3 days, preferable longer, before introducing another new food.

I recommend waiting a week between food introductions, because some potential allergic reactions are delayed reactions and might not appear right away, it takes a few meals of the food to actually stimulate immune system response if there is going to be a reaction.

It doesn't matter if it is veggies first or fruit first. Some great first foods are avocado spears, bananas, egg yolk, baked sweet potato, and RIPE pears (cut into spears if desired).

Many people believe the myth that if you feed a child too many fruits that they will never eat veggies, because the fruit is sweet. Or that it is too much sugar for them. Well the sugar that is in fruit is natural sugar, quickly metabolized and utilized by their RAPIDLY growing and moving body, and I have never actually seen a child not eat veggies because of too many fruits in the diet.

The children that I see that don't eat veggies is due to TWO reasons, one they weren't given it early enough and often enough. And two, they never saw their parents eating it, children want to eat what their parents are eating, especially once they hit toddlerhood!

And, even if baby doesn't have any teeth yet, you can still offer food, this will actually become a teething comfort mechanism for baby potentially, JP LOVED frozen carrots and celery to chew on when he was teething, and this will also stimulate the gums and teeth buds to encourage the teeth to come in.

There is so much to introducing solid foods to baby, that if more comes up, I will certain add more to the posts! :o)

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene
Holistic Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist
Wellness Consultant

A Holistic Approach to Introducing Solids to Baby - Baby Led Feeding

Baby led feeding is an approach to solid food introduction that allows baby to explore and discover food on their own with parental supervision.

With baby-led feeding you give baby whole foods or foods cut into hand size spears or slices so that baby learns what is a comfortable and manageable bit size for them. This helps create their independence at the dinner table as well.

Never force baby to eat. If baby is showing "signs" of wanting food, and is AT LEAST 6 months old, then offer your baby the age appropriate food. If baby eats it fine, if not, then let baby play, explore, and discover these new textures, tastes, smells, etc..

Most babies that show "signs" of wanting food are actually simply wanting to do what we are doing. So, if you offer food and baby doesn't eat it, then offer baby utensils instead. Let baby get familiar with eating utensils by playing, exploring, and learning how to use them. They learn by watching so let them practice at the dinner table, not forcing them to eat anything.

Baby should still be getting most, if not all, of his/her nutrition from mom via breast milk. Or, if mom was not able to breastfeed, then baby should be getting nutrition from whatever breastfeeding alternative was chosen, breastfeeding alternative options are raw milk, homemade raw milk formula, other homemade formulas, fortified commercial formula, and then commercial formulas. Therefore, if baby is still being breastfeed, raw milk fed, or formula fed, then there is no need to rush the introduction of solid foods.

Great first time foods are avocado spears, bananas, egg yolk, sweet potato, and RIPE pears (cut into spears if desired).

I am sure there is still more that I am forgetting that I want to add to this topic, but I am not recalling more right now. So, if more comes there will be another post to this topic! :o)

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene
Holistic Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist
Wellness Consultant

A Holistic Approach to Introducing Solids to Baby

There are a lot of things to consider when looking into starting solids with your baby. First is to realize that their biochemistry is different than an older child's and even an adult's. So, one must take into consideration a baby's biochemistry and their physical and neurological developmental nutritional needs.

Pancreatic amylase enzyme is needed to digest grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds. Pancreatic amylase doesn't start fully producing till around 28 months of age. Before this age it is either not produced or only slightly produced, production increases the closer to 28 months of age. If you introduce these foods prior to full production of the pancreatic amylase the foods are either not digested at all or only partially digested, this is why allergies to these foods tend to be so prevalent. Waiting to introduce these foods will greatly reduce the risk of allergies to these foods and autoimmune diseases associated with them.

This is exactly why we have waited to give our son, JP, grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. We gave him quinoa before 28 months, which is one of the least allergenic of all(it is actually a grain alternative, it is a seed, and is the only vegetarian complete protein source), JP had a reaction to it every single time we gave it to him, at 21 months, and at 25 months.

He is now 28 months old and we are just now considering to re-introducing grains. He has done just fine all this time on a fruit and veggie diet, and breastmilk. We did start giving him more protein via raw whey protein powder in his daily smoothies, which he LOVES, around 22 months of age! And it has made a huge difference for him. He does eat meat from time to time, we just want him to have organic free range meats, so it isn't often that he gets meat, because we cannot afford it most of the time. He LOVES fish. We have been able to give him some wild caught fish a few times too, and he loves it.

Something else to consider is that children do NOT need milk to get calcium or vitamin D, especially if they are still breastfeeding! If desiring to give dairy to your child, it should be for the healthy fats and fat soluble vitamins and minerals it offers them, and then you would ONLY want RAW dairy at that to be sure they are getting the full benefits. Processed dairy is the #1 cause of allergies and autoimmune diseases in childhood. You can avoid this by going RAW with dairy, and/or waiting till AFTER 2 years of age to give processed dairy, if ever.

Anyways, at 14 months JP was eating just about every fruit and veggie I could find at the market. However, he had almost all of his teeth. If your child does not have all his/her teeth yet, I'd suggest simply making sure you continue to steam, bake, broil, or grill the veggies so that it is a bit easier for him to chew. However, the firmer you allow the food to be, the more stimulation it gives the gums, which will stimulate the teeth to come in as well. You might try frozen cantaloupe spears, frozen pineapple spears, or frozen carrots for this as well. JP loved frozen carrots when he was teething.

Here is a list of the foods we used for JP, along with crucial information about introducing solids to babies on the right side!

** If there is a family history of allergies to any of the foods listed wait as close to 2 years of age as possible before introducing.**

vegetables	artichoke asparragus *beetroot broccoli brussel sprouts carrot *celery chicory *chinese cabbage cauliflower cucumber *endive eggplant *fennel french bean green bean green peas jerusalem artichoke *kohlrabi *lettuce, all varieties may turnip mushroom (10 months) paprika peppers (not spicy) parsnip potato pumpkin *purslane radish rammenas *red beets white raddish rubarb salsifies sauerkraut *spinach *spinach beet sweet potato tomato *turnip tops *turnip celery *watercress yams young french beans young peas (mangetout) zucchini 1 1/2 years		6 months vegetables don't need to be pureed steamed, boiled, or baked and sliced into pieces is a nice way of introducing do not force feeding vegetables by offering whole foods or manageable large slices or spears you are letting your child learn how to take bits early own, so they learn what a healthy and manageable bit size is for them. Of course, this is done with supervision. By not pureeing food for your baby it is also providing a teething comfort mechanism for them and simulating the gums and teeth buds to develop and come in appropriately and timely. choose vegetables you eat yourself do not heat up leftovers, just serve chilled vegetables with a * are rich in nitrates, don't give them more than twice a week if there is a history of allergies to any of the foods listed wait as close to 2 years of age as possible before introducing.
	curly kale *conical cabbage green cabbage leek onion white and red cabbage		At this age you can also dehydrate fruits and veggies to makes healthy snacks.
raw foods fermented foods	raw cucumber (peeled) raw tomato lacto-fermented veggies kombucha beet kavass coconut kefir coconut ginger-ale	6-8 months 12 months	varies per child, most can be given raw, this is simply a starter if you have previously been cooking the foods. if there is a history of tomato allergies in your family wait till closer to 2 years of age before introducing. other raw vegetables can come to the dinner table when your child is ready
fruits	apple apricot avocado banana cherry cooking pears grapes mango melon peach pear plum rose hip	6 months	peal the fruit and give it in pieces at times you may give organic fruit without pealing remove the seeds the first months if you feel streamed, boiled, or baked fruit would be easier for your child to chew that is perfectly fine however, most RIPE fruit, like pears for example, are VERY tender and do not need to be cooked for tenderness
	grapefruit lemon mandarin nectarine tangerine orange	9 months	If your child shows a reaction to acidic foods hold off on the citrus till after a year old.
	blackberry blueberry elderberry gooseberry kiwi (green and yellow!) pineapple raspberry red berry strawberry	12 months

protein sources			Use ORGANIC, free range, antibiotic free, hormone free as much as possible
	chicken breast eggs(yolk only) fish lamb ground beef RAW cheese RAW milk RAW whey protein turkey breast	9-10 months	meat can be given, but it is not a must; there are more nutritious sources of iron, and if still breastfeeding they are getting all the protein and fat they need . an entirely vegetarian diet is possible the first 10-12 months (or longer) when allergic to raw cow's or goat's milk, wait until 2 years with raw cheeses and whey, but only if the re-introduction of raw milk was successful when allergic to egg: wait until after 2 year, but only if the re-introduction of egg was successful when allergic to something else: wait with egg and raw dairy until after 1 year
	Pork Egg (whole egg) seafood tempe	1 year	If NOT using RAW dairy, do NOT introduce till AFTER 2 YEARS. Processed dairy is the #1 cause of allergies and autoimmune diseases among children. These can be potentially avoided by not giving processed dairy till after 2 years of age, if ever.
	Pancreatic Amylase Dependent Category Grains Beans Legumes Nuts seeds	2 years	Grains are a decent protein and good carbohydrate source. Some beans and legumes are a good iron source. Nuts and seeds are also a good fat source. If wanting to try to introduce some of these before 2 years of age, it is best not to introduce at all before 18 months, and these are the best to start with; soaked or cooked chickpeas, hummus (soaked chickpeas and tahini, which is sesame seed butter), and quinoa (a grain alternative, is actually a seed, and is the ONLY vegetarian complete protein source). These tend to be the least allergenic. If you notice ANY signs of reaction, cold symptoms, skin rash, cough, congestion, sneezing, etc. eliminate and do not re-introduce till closer to 28 months. Wheat, gluten, and grains are the #2 cause of allergies among children. This too can potentially be avoided by not introducing any grains, nuts, seeds, beans, or legumes till after 2 years of age and as close to 28 months as possible. At 28 months is when a child's pancreatic amylase is active and able to digest these foods. Prior to then these foods are only partially digested which is why allergies are so prevalent.

This is adapted from http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/schema/engels.html to fit a true holistic whole food dietary approach.

This is what we have done. With the one exception of we use raw whey protein for JP's green smoothies, instead of loading on meats. He does eat meat, we just limit meat consumption in our house to as close to 10% or less of our total diet as possible. Read "The China Study" for more information on why it is important to limit your animal product intake.

The WAPF, Weston A. Price Foundation, www.WestonAPrice.org,  is all about QUALITY of animal products and their importance in our health, but they do NOT talk about QUANTITY at all. So a combination of WAP guidelines and The China Study recommendations is a GREAT holistic approach to a healthy diet and lifestyle at any age!

Also, while the list for veggies is quite long, those are your options, JP hasn't had all of those veggies yet, as some I don't even know where to find them. J

Anyways, I this helps a little. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene
Holistic Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist
Wellness Consultant

Optimal Holistic Traditional Whole Food Diet Guidelines for Preconception Pregnancy and Nursing Women

The Optimal Diet Guidelines for Preconception, Pregnant and Nursing Mothers

Unrestricted amounts of fresh organic vegetables and fruits, raw or slightly cooked, use a wide variety.

Soaked organic whole grains

Sprouted organic grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds

Lacto-fermented or wild-fermented condiments and beverages

2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily minimum, used in cooking or smoothies, etc.

Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Krill Oil, or other high quality DHA AND EPA source(vegetarian/vegan is not possible as they do not provide EPA, and EPA is a vital component of the brain and brain development for the baby, among other things)

Raw milk daily from organic pasture-fed cows or goats (learn more about raw milk at A Campaign for Real Milk, www.realmilk.com)

raw butter daily from organic pasture-fed cows

eggs daily, from organic pastured chicken; added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc.

3-4 ounces of fresh liver, weekly, if possible, from an organic pastured animal source

Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs

Fresh organic pastured beef or lamb weekly, always consumed with the fat

Organic homemade bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces

Other uncommon super foods used daily or as often as possible, like:

chlorella, chlorophyll, spirulina, wheat grass, barley grass, broccoli sprouts, acai, rose hips, green tea, acerola cherry, flax seed, hemp seed, Himalayan pink crystal salt, cacao, maca, etc.

AVOID:

• Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils)
• Junk foods
• Processed Foods
• Packaged foods
• Commercial fried foods - consume fried foods ONLY from home and ONLY fried in coconut oil!
• Sugar - consume ONLY natural sugars; agave, raw honey, grade A organic or wildcrafted maple syrup, raw unrefined cane sugar, coconut sugar, and palm sugar.
• White flour - only whole grain flours, advised to use NON-GLUTEN flours, so no wheat if possible.
• Soft Drinks or other Carbonated beverages
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes
• Drugs (even prescription drugs) 

USE WITH CAUTION AND GUIDANCE:

• Herbs
• Homeopathies
• Gluten – if you are sensitive or allergic to gluten AVOID things with gluten!
• Casein – if you are sensitive or allergic to casein AVOID things with processed dairy, use ONLY RAW GOAT MILK dairy products!

Even with an unassisted pregnancy and birth a mother needs to be able to provide OPTIMAL nutrition to her body and her developing baby. The best way to do this is with a Holistic Nutritionist specializing in Maternal and Pediatric care. This does not make the pregnancy or birth assisted, as nutrition is all that would be facilitated, if that is what the mother desires.

For resources, guidance, and additional information please visit our website at www.DuCheneNaturalHealth.com/SoulBirth.

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene
Holistic Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist
Wellness Consultant

Placenta Encapsulation Services!!! New at Soul Birth

INTRODUCING!!!!

Placenta Encapsulation services at DuChene Natural Health Center's Soul Birth Services!


Placenta has been regarded as sacred and healing in many ancient cultures. Over the years of modernization of health care the benefits of placenta to mother during the postpartum period have been forgotten.

Through education, information, and service I strive to allow all mother's the opportunity to benefit from the power of their placenta.

The placenta contains mother's own natural hormones and is perfectly made for her. The placenta nourishes baby during the perinatal period, but it also nourishes mother through hormone production, and once birth has occured, the placenta is no longer there to provide the same level of nourishing hormones to mother. The drastic drop in hormones can cause an "induced" hypothyroid state in mother. Many mothers are able to recover from this induced hypothyroid state without much difficultly, but MANY mothers also are not able to recover very easily from this drastic flux in hormones leading to baby blues, postpartum depression, and, the worst of these, postpartum psychosis.

By consuming her encapsulated placenta a mother is able to provide her body the natural hormones, iron, and other vital nutrients that the placenta contains, and was once providing her body. This allows for a natural balance in mother's hormones, enhancement in mother's milk supply, an increase in mother's energy, a decrease in postnatal bleeding, and an increase in postnatal iron levels all during the early postpartum days. This helps mother to recover more quickly from birth, heal, and avoid the baby blues. Thus, ultimately, potentially preventing the onset of postpartum depression.

This tradition of consuming the placenta is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine tradition. As a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, I use Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques to encapsulate the placenta for mother, and follow EPA abd OSHA guidelines that would pertain to such service.

For more information on the benefits of the placenta to mother visit Placenta Benefits.info.

Please feel free to contact me at LDuChene@Soul-Birth.com if you have any questions or are interested in this service!

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene

We Have Moved!

We have just moved from Wordpress to Blogger, I have just finished transferring all of our old posts to Blogger.

I have done this for many reasons, and I believe this will provide a more appealing blog.

Enjoy stalking!

Peace and Blessings,

Leigh Anne DuChene