[MichelleAnnette]

We aren't on a TF diet but do eat whole foods. My ds is 21 months and I am pregnant and my milk has very recently dried up. He has never had any drinks other than my milk and water. I am thinking about giving him goat or cow milk until my milk comes back. I don't drink milk. It's not feasible for me to get raw milk where I live, but I can get raw cheese. I have a small cavity and my ds has a brown spot on one of his teeth (going to the dentist tomorrow to see if it is decay), so I am adopting the dietary guidelines in Cure Tooth Decay to some degree. The only meat we eat is fish so we are not doing the organ meats. Raw milk is my problem. It sounds like it is so important but I really can't get it without it being a huge pain. Is there any benefit in using organic but not raw cow or goat milk? I don't even know if my ds will drink it but he eats almost anything. Thanks!

 

[aniT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelleAnnette We aren't on a TF diet but do eat whole foods. My ds is 21 months and I am pregnant and my milk has very recently dried up. He has never had any drinks other than my milk and water. I am thinking about giving him goat or cow milk until my milk comes back. I don't drink milk. It's not feasible for me to get raw milk where I live, but I can get raw cheese. I have a small cavity and my ds has a brown spot on one of his teeth (going to the dentist tomorrow to see if it is decay), so I am adopting the dietary guidelines in Cure Tooth Decay to some degree. The only meat we eat is fish so we are not doing the organ meats. Raw milk is my problem. It sounds like it is so important but I really can't get it without it being a huge pain. Is there any benefit in using organic but not raw cow or goat milk? I don't even know if my ds will drink it but he eats almost anything. Thanks!

I have read somewhere in the last day or so that any pasteurized milk is not good for you. Organic or not.

ETA: When I talked to my "milk lady" about the horrible things the dentist wanted to do to my DD she was horrified and told me to give her kelp juice. It is supposed to have loads of calcium in it.

 

[bobandjess99]

sorry...while of course non organic milk is slightly worse for the chemicals and stuff in it, it is the pasteurization and homogenization processes which make the milk so awful for you. There really is no substitute.

 

[Ruthla]

IMO, toddlers need milk, and if human milk isn't available (or ins't available in large enough quantities) then cow or goat milk is better than "no milk at all" in the child's diet. Yes, raw milk is far better than pasturized homogenized milk, but any milk is still better than "no milk" for a 21mo. If you were talking about a 3yo or older, I'd say to get a variety of foods and not worry about dairy products in particular.

Fermented dairy (kefir, yogurt, or some cheeses) are healthier than plain homogenized milk. I wouldn't worry about milk specifically if your child consumes plenty of dairy products and drinks enough water.

 

[aniT]

Why do you think they need milk? Is it the calcium? Because of they are eating foods high in calcium I don't see what the big deal about dairy is.

 

[spughy]

I don't think you do need milk, but I would be more comfortable with that recommendation if you would do bone broths. Milk is a source of calcium, protein, fats and water (I don't know about your kid but mine isn't really a fan of drinking, as an activity). Broths also fit that definition, but very little else does.

Fish is a great source of protein, fats, calcium and other minerals though. If you eat fish, the best thing you can do is get some whole salmon, cut it into chunks, and can it yourself, skins, bones and all (you'll need a pressure cooker). Include 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in each 1/2 pint jar. This will ensure that the calcium and other minerals in the bones leach into the surrounding tissues, and the bones will be soft and fall apart when you smoosh the fish into sandwich filling or fishcakes or whatever.

Nettle teas are also good sources of calcium, but getting a kid to drink them could be tricky. You definitely don't want to be mixing them with juice or anything if you're battling dental issues.

I would also strongly suggest supplementing with good cod liver oil. Apparently the only stuff you can trust now is the Blue Ice Fermented CLO, and it's not cheap, but it's probably a whole lot cheaper than a dentist.

I just waded through a pile of posts on a really, really good blog and there seems to be good evidence that removing sources of phytates from the diet will also help with mineral uptake and enamel rebuilding. (link separates out the dental health posts from the rest of the blog). So, cut out the grains & legumes and that may help too.

 

[TzippityDoulah]

honestly if i couldn't get raw milk I wouldn't get milk at all... it just isn't comparable. I would use coconut milk instead (but that's me)

if you can get raw cheese, I would focus on that more than pasteurized milk

 

[MichelleAnnette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruthla IMO, toddlers need milk, and if human milk isn't available (or ins't available in large enough quantities) then cow or goat milk is better than "no milk at all" in the child's diet. Yes, raw milk is far better than pasturized homogenized milk, but any milk is still better than "no milk" for a 21mo. If you were talking about a 3yo or older, I'd say to get a variety of foods and not worry about dairy products in particular. Fermented dairy (kefir, yogurt, or some cheeses) are healthier than plain homogenized milk. I wouldn't worry about milk specifically if your child consumes plenty of dairy products and drinks enough water.

I also think toddlers need milk. I actually DID find some raw milk at my local health food store today. I guess they have it sometimes but I hadn't seen it before. I never really looked, though since I don't typically buy milk. My ds tasted it but didn't drink much. He wanted me to drink it and I just do not like it. Maybe he was suspicious that I was giving him something I didn't have. We usually eat the same things.

He loves cheese and butter and I ordered some cod liver oil/butter oil blend for us. He also likes salmon straight out of the can so I will start giving him the bones with it. I normally like salmon but pregnancy makes me not want animal products of any kind and I don't love them when not pregnant. So for me I think I will look for some other plant sources of calcium.