During my first trimester of pregnancy I was miserable. I felt sick all the time—from the time I woke up to the end of the day. I had a full-time sales job and against my desire I had to use my OB-GYN’s prescription for nausea. As most mothers know, drugs don’t really work. I did lots of asking around and researched options for feeling better. I tried ginger soda, special bracelets, crackers, eating as soon as I woke up—everything I could find online. Nothing worked. Work was becoming an impossible task.
One of my friends recommended acupuncture. After I realized nothing was working, I was desperate, willing to try anything! This same friend referred a retired Western medicine doctor who performs acupuncture two blocks from my home. Acupuncture was calming and refreshing in many ways. It brought me back to life. I began going once a week during my pregnancy. It was a great space to re-energize and get ready for the next 7 days. It cured all of my pregnancy aches and pains, most of the time in one session. But what really took care of the nausea was not acupuncture—it was when Karin, my acupuncturist, gave me the best advice anyone ever did: “Avoid dairy. If you want to take dairy, choose goat’s milk products.” It was the turning point for my nausea; I instantly started feeling better. The rest of my pregnancy went by with only occasional nausea. Acupuncture also helps to speed up birth, making contractions more effective. Alexander was born less than 5 hours after my water broke. He is my first son.
Lately we have been more informed about the downsides of drinking cow’s milk as well as soy milk—the previous better alternative. I haven’t had a glass of cow’s milk in the past 15 years, I only take a small amount in my morning coffee. I realized that if I drink more than that I feel bloated and uncomfortable.
Now Alexander is 9 months old and I am still breastfeeding. As his first birthday approaches I have been looking for alternatives to cow’s milk. I do not feel confident giving cow’s milk to my son and I’d rather skip formula. Since I felt so much better with goat’s milk products during my pregnancy, I asked Alexander’s pediatrician if I can give him goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk. His doctor said that it was fine, that a lot of her little patients are fed goat’s milk. I read an informative article from Dr. Sears on giving goat’s milk to our children. This article also makes me feel more at ease about the idea.
Here the advantages Dr. Sears mentions:
1. Less allergenic proteins
2. Less lactose
3. More digestible fat
4. A bit more calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, potassium, niacin, copper, and the antioxidant selenium.
Where do I find goat’s milk that is safe for my son?
Dr. Sears recommends the Meyenberg brand, you can find it at your local Sprouts Farmers Market or elsewhere (click on the Meyenberg link for more locations).
I have not tried goat’s milk with Alexander, but I will when he turns one in June. I will update you in a few months to tell you how it goes. I have also heard that you can use both goat’s milk and almond milk when your son is a little bit older. A couple of moms of Facebook’s group Today’s Natural Moms shared with me their positive experiences giving it to their children.
If you have fed your son goat’s milk, please tell me all about it! I would love to hear more moms’ thoughts.
CALIFORNIA - PERFECT 