Raising Raw Vegan Baby: Help! - Raw Food Chat

gracegagnon · 07-26-2007

I have an 8 month old daughter whom I am raising organic, vegan, and raw. I am experiencing a lot of resistance and condemnation from family members who disagree with my beliefs on parenting, especially with what I eat (I am nursing also) and what I feed her. My own sister even called DSS on me. My daughter is exceptionally healthy and thriving. I wish everyone would leave me alone, because I believe that the diet that we are eating is without a doubt the best diet for both me and her. I would like support on this from other mothers who are raising their children similarly, and from doctors and professionals who advocate a living foods diet. What can I do to provide reassurance to family that what I am doing isn't "crazy"? I want whats best for my daughter, and I want these ignorant family members off my back! Please help, thanks!

elizabethh · 07-27-2007

i'm not a mother, or a doctor (although i hope to be an ND in the future). in fact i'm only 16. i happen to be the daughter of a wonderful woman, who (although skeptical) about raw foodism is accepting and supportive. so i understand the importance of support from family, and hope that you can foster support from your own family somehow.
i can only offer you moral support, and admiration, considering the incredible good you are doing for your daughter. from what i know, children that are fed this way from birth are much less likely to be compuslive eaters, not even mentioning the innumerable health benefits.
if i may make a suggestion, as this helped me, organize a raw food dinner party for your close friends and family. prepare your favorite foods, and prove to them that it is more than "just salad".
lend your sister some raw food literature, or suggest she log on to thegardendiet.com to see shining examples of healthy and thriving children on a raw diet.

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SnowBunny · 09-13-2007

gracegagnon. I also am not a mother, but am looking forward to starting a family soon.

It's awesome that you have been standing your ground. After all, this is YOUR baby and you know what's best for you child and you are using your best judgment and intuition and what's been working best for you.

I agree with Elizabeth's advise, that is to give your family and friends some literature.

This is a very touchy subject as it's gotten to the point your sister has called DSS. It must be very difficult for you as I have thought for hours about how I will deal with my family when that time comes, so I truly admire you for being such a strong woman.

Here are some ideas that I have had, having not been in the situation I do not truly know the best way, but I do hope that it helps at least give you some of your own ideas...

Printing up literature specifically relating to children on a raw diet. Jinjee and Storm are a wonderful couple. I've corresponded with Jinjee over email when I had some concerns. Here is her website that there's pics of her beautiful RAW babies! http://www.thegardendiet.com/

Perhaps have a meeting with your family and make sure to have someone that supports you with you. This gives your family a chance to feel that their concerns were heard. This way you know exactly what to address.

If there is a good doc in your town that can maybe do a live blood test or do a check on your baby that can give a report for you to show that your baby really is happy and healthy. (and by good doc, I mean a doctor that actually knows about nutrition and health, not disease and death)

At least if you try something like these suggestions, it shows to your family that you really are trying to do what you think is best for the baby and the information that you have shows that you are doing what's best.

I really hope this helps and you are able to stay healthy and happy with your beautiful baby and keep happy relations with your family too (maybe even get them raw?!). You will be in my prayers

anisha · 09-13-2007

Gracegagnon, I am neither a mother nor a doctor, but I strongly agree with Elizabeth and Snowbunny.

I have found it hard in the past to tell family and friends when I am trying a new lifestyle. Right now it helps that I am half way around the world, but even then I am keeping it under wraps. Its hard, I want to tell them, but because I am so new to raw, I want to ground myself in this lifestyle before letting the cat out of the bag.

Anyways, yes get a doctor and have him/her test the necessary samples to show friends and family. Don't give up. This is your daughter and should be up to you. Stay Strong! You have moral support here!

Good Luck!

SnowBunny · 09-13-2007

So last night I researched for several hours into the wee hours of the morning about this...

And this morning I get this email about having "super children" (raw children)!!

There's a teleconference TONIGHT Here's the link to the info

http://www.rogerhaeske.com/~~~~~

Here some things I found last night...

http://www.vegetarianbaby.com/articl...arenting.shtml (really like this one)

http://www.vegetarianbaby.com/articles/rawstudy.shtml

http://www.livefoodsunchild.com/arch...messages6.html

happybaby · 09-17-2007

Hi! I am a mom and have a 9 month old son, raw so far. I give him pears, avocado with apple and lots of coconut water. He likes these but still prefers breast milk.... I'm too surounded by nervous people, afraid that my baby boy doesn't get enough... I'd love to exchange experiences here... I'm anxiously awaiting Shazzie's raw kids cookbook....

Joseph's Mama · 11-20-2007

Hello! Well, I know this post is now four months old, but I am new to this site, and felt compelled to point out that DSS (Department of Social Services - or CPS (Child Protective Services) is a completely voluntary program. If they knock at your door- you do NOT have to let them in. Once you do, then of course it opens that whole can of worms. I know this because some folks in our neighborhood are really into calling on everyone. But I agree with the other posts that if you can get some blood tests and prove that she is healthy (of course you shouldn't HAVE to do that - that is ridiculous that they are making you guilty until proven innocent!) maybe that will shush up the naysayers. Who I can bet you probably struggle with pre-diabetes, chronic illnesses, frequent colds - all that jazz. I have a 7 month old son and I am constantly getting raked over the coals for not starting him on solids yet. Oh well. At least you are like a shining example that maybe someday those same people who persecute will look up to and ask questions. Good luck!

greenbunny · 11-21-2007

Once again, I look at all this from a completely different angle. I would absolutely love if Grace could come back and tell us how it all worked out.

So, here's my intense and extreme but personal reaction. If my sister did that to me she would never be allowed to step foot in my home again. Period. End of discussion. No more discussions about raw food or anything else. Then she would have nothing to base any complaints on in the future as I would give her not one piece of information about what I eat or about what I feed anyone in my family.

If other members of my family cared to be opinionated in that regard they also would have the phone hung up and the door slammed. No information, no judgments or potential serious problems with authorities in the future.

I don't think you could get enough doctor's opinions to thwart the backward thinking that is prevelant today. People and government think that they have a right to intercede on a child's behalf and have more power than you could imagine. If they think that the baby is failing to thrive they can remove a child from your custody. They really don't need any proof except an opnion of someone in a position to make the decision.

If you bring your child to a hospital and tell them that you feed them raw you might be taking a chance in losing your child to social services. All it takes is one doctor making a phone call.

I don't know really how to get around this, but if a sister is so stupid and cruel to call in DSS what makes you think that a blood test would suddenly make her intelligent and kind? She wouldn't even understand. I know that sounds harsh, but you have a tremendous responsibility to a baby that you bring into the world - more than you do to a sister who is being aggressive.

There are so many incredibly ignorant and spiteful people out there that sometimes it makes sense to avoid them as much as you possibly can - even if they are family.

Anyone out there that has to deal with such ignorance and hostility from the people that should be giving them the most support and love has my complete compassion. The evil sister will have to find her compassion somewhere else.

Greenbunny

RawFoodGrl · 12-28-2007

I have no kids and cannot help you from that perspective, but I did recently purchase the book "Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine Book" by Gabriel Cousins, and he has a whole chapter about rasing "raw children".

Besides a lot of practical information, he has a lot of science and research in his book - perhaps this might help sway the "uninformed" who are pummeling you.