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The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care makes the principles of traditional nutrition available to modern parents. The book provides holistic advice for pregnancy and newborn interventions, vaccinations, breastfeeding and child development, as well as a compendium of natural treatments for childhood illnesses, from autism to whooping cough. The work of Rudulf Steiner supports the book's emphasis on the child's spiritual requirement for imaginative play.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2013
1133 people are currently reading
2022 people want to read
About the author
Sally Fallon Morell
38 books187 followersSally Fallon Morell is the co-founder and president of The Weston A. Price Foundation. According to the WAPF, she received a B.A. in English from Stanford University and an M.A. in English from UCLA.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 103 reviews
April 20, 2013
The book's chapter on breastfeeding, titled "Nourishing Your Baby", is pretty much word for word what the WAPF's site says on breastfeeding with a bit of filler added. It starts with some positive messages about breastfeeding, but by the fourth paragraph, they are already reverting to negative language about breastfeeding: "But for some women, even many women, all does not go well."
Then they go back to talking about how wonderful breastmilk is with its "amazing qualities" , but it's quickly followed up by a section entitled "Benefits of Breast Milk: Conflicting Studies" where they again cite the same studies used on their website that show breastfeeding in a negative light.
There is a section on "When Breastfeeding May Not Be Best" and it includes vegan mothers, adopted babies and even babies conceived from in vitro fertilization!
The book gives poor and dangerous advice like an old wive's tale about preventing cracked and sore breasts with a daily application of rubbing alcohol on the nipples for the last month of pregnancy. They also suggest an herbal supplement for engorgement and oversupply that is known to dry up milk completely, not reduce it.
In the Milk Supply section, they say that if a baby has persistent crying, even after nursing, an inadequate or non-nutritious milk supply should be suspected. To substantiate their claim that low supply is way more common than breastfeeding advocates claim, they reference artwork showing women praying for good milk supplies. They also note that milk volume varies between women, which is true, but then they compare a woman who can squirt her milk across the room to a mother who can't produce milk while pumping. Those are two different situations and not fair comparisons. Pumping output is no indication of supply.
When they discuss stress as a possible factor for lowered milk supply, they recommend that the environment should be very relaxing. However, they turn this good advice negative by saying, "...for many women, burdened by domestic strife or financial worries, a stress-free environment may be impossible to achieve."
It's not until the very end of the Milk Supply section, that they describe the normal behavior of an infant wanting to nurse a lot during growth spurts and the mother's menstrual cycles. So a mom has to read through all the negative discussions of low milk supply before she sees that her situation is normal and there isn't an issue with her supply, but doubt is already in her mind. They also recommend using their homemade formula for supplementation during supply drops.
Even when they suggest seeking help from a lactation consultant, they turn it negative by saying "...some consultants can leave mothers in tears."
Their section on donor milk warns that you need to ask the mother about her diet before accepting milk. They also state that you should observe the donor's own baby to see that they are "rosy and robust" and not "pale and whiney". That visual observation will tell you if a mother's milk is nutrient dense.
They make a completely false statement about breast pumps, too:
"Most importantly, the breast pump provides an accurate picture of how much milk a mother is producing. If, after pumping consistently, mom still only produces an ounce or two of milk per day, she will know for sure that supplementation is an absolute necessity."
Like I said earlier, pumping output is no indication of supply because it doesn't get milk out the same way a baby does. It is not as efficient and it could take multiple pumping sessions to obtain the same amount of milk a baby can get out in one breastfeeding session.
When working mothers are discussed, they mention that there are some state laws about pumping at work, but it's actually a federally mandated law from 2010 that requires employers to provide break time and a place to pump. Unfortunately, the book had to make mention that white collar employees (such as lawyers and editors) would find it easier to pump than teachers and service workers. This gives the impression that full term breastfeeding can only work for women with "good jobs", and other moms have to use formula, perpetuating an elitist view of breastfeeding.
So, even though the book may have some correct information on breastfeeding, the general attitude is disapproving and negative towards it. Decent advice is tainted by negative opinions and comments. It makes it hard to even consider this book as credible source for breastfeeding mothers. It's not the empowering book they try to make it out to be. It actually perpetuates guilt.
Then they go back to talking about how wonderful breastmilk is with its "amazing qualities" , but it's quickly followed up by a section entitled "Benefits of Breast Milk: Conflicting Studies" where they again cite the same studies used on their website that show breastfeeding in a negative light.
There is a section on "When Breastfeeding May Not Be Best" and it includes vegan mothers, adopted babies and even babies conceived from in vitro fertilization!
The book gives poor and dangerous advice like an old wive's tale about preventing cracked and sore breasts with a daily application of rubbing alcohol on the nipples for the last month of pregnancy. They also suggest an herbal supplement for engorgement and oversupply that is known to dry up milk completely, not reduce it.
In the Milk Supply section, they say that if a baby has persistent crying, even after nursing, an inadequate or non-nutritious milk supply should be suspected. To substantiate their claim that low supply is way more common than breastfeeding advocates claim, they reference artwork showing women praying for good milk supplies. They also note that milk volume varies between women, which is true, but then they compare a woman who can squirt her milk across the room to a mother who can't produce milk while pumping. Those are two different situations and not fair comparisons. Pumping output is no indication of supply.
When they discuss stress as a possible factor for lowered milk supply, they recommend that the environment should be very relaxing. However, they turn this good advice negative by saying, "...for many women, burdened by domestic strife or financial worries, a stress-free environment may be impossible to achieve."
It's not until the very end of the Milk Supply section, that they describe the normal behavior of an infant wanting to nurse a lot during growth spurts and the mother's menstrual cycles. So a mom has to read through all the negative discussions of low milk supply before she sees that her situation is normal and there isn't an issue with her supply, but doubt is already in her mind. They also recommend using their homemade formula for supplementation during supply drops.
Even when they suggest seeking help from a lactation consultant, they turn it negative by saying "...some consultants can leave mothers in tears."
Their section on donor milk warns that you need to ask the mother about her diet before accepting milk. They also state that you should observe the donor's own baby to see that they are "rosy and robust" and not "pale and whiney". That visual observation will tell you if a mother's milk is nutrient dense.
They make a completely false statement about breast pumps, too:
"Most importantly, the breast pump provides an accurate picture of how much milk a mother is producing. If, after pumping consistently, mom still only produces an ounce or two of milk per day, she will know for sure that supplementation is an absolute necessity."
Like I said earlier, pumping output is no indication of supply because it doesn't get milk out the same way a baby does. It is not as efficient and it could take multiple pumping sessions to obtain the same amount of milk a baby can get out in one breastfeeding session.
When working mothers are discussed, they mention that there are some state laws about pumping at work, but it's actually a federally mandated law from 2010 that requires employers to provide break time and a place to pump. Unfortunately, the book had to make mention that white collar employees (such as lawyers and editors) would find it easier to pump than teachers and service workers. This gives the impression that full term breastfeeding can only work for women with "good jobs", and other moms have to use formula, perpetuating an elitist view of breastfeeding.
So, even though the book may have some correct information on breastfeeding, the general attitude is disapproving and negative towards it. Decent advice is tainted by negative opinions and comments. It makes it hard to even consider this book as credible source for breastfeeding mothers. It's not the empowering book they try to make it out to be. It actually perpetuates guilt.
June 28, 2017
Read this book in two sittings. Am so sad I did not read it before my son was born.
We are the soil for our children. Just as plants can only have the nutrients of the soil in which they grow, your children will have only the nutrients in your body. Just as soil will stop yielding plants after a while if it is too sapped of nutrients, so our bodies, getting more deficient as the generations go on, will become more and more infertile.
Crooked teeth are not natural! They are not genetic! They are facial deformities causes by our nutrient deficient diets! If you think you are healthy, think again! The dietary advice we have been given is fueled by the pocketbooks of lobbyists, not science or even common sense.
*****Sally knows a great deal about FOOD. She does not know very much about child psychology or the best way to care for an infant/child or teen. I strongly urge that people skip anything she says in regards to the actual rearing of a child--infant seats are terrible for babies! Read Emmi Pikler's Bulletin Number 14! And her medical section was not nearly as useful as How To Raise A Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor.******
We are the soil for our children. Just as plants can only have the nutrients of the soil in which they grow, your children will have only the nutrients in your body. Just as soil will stop yielding plants after a while if it is too sapped of nutrients, so our bodies, getting more deficient as the generations go on, will become more and more infertile.
Crooked teeth are not natural! They are not genetic! They are facial deformities causes by our nutrient deficient diets! If you think you are healthy, think again! The dietary advice we have been given is fueled by the pocketbooks of lobbyists, not science or even common sense.
*****Sally knows a great deal about FOOD. She does not know very much about child psychology or the best way to care for an infant/child or teen. I strongly urge that people skip anything she says in regards to the actual rearing of a child--infant seats are terrible for babies! Read Emmi Pikler's Bulletin Number 14! And her medical section was not nearly as useful as How To Raise A Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor.******
September 23, 2013
First I thought it was a good book but then I got disappointed. It looks like the authors think their dietary guidelines are the best! They say that people who don't follow their diet make "unwise decisions." So if you're vegetarian or vegan, then don't even bother reading this book because they put a great emphasis on animal foods making it sound like only animal-fed people can produce healthy babies.
I am a vegetarian and this book didn't make any sense to me. I think the authors really didn't make enough research on the topic of a healthy diet. Before I became vegetarian I used to eat so called "nutrient-dense" foods like red meat with fat, raw milk and etc. just as it is described in this book and let me tell you this is not the best diet. I am a vegetarian now (it's been 5 years) and feel much better, I have plenty of energy, my skin and hair are so much healthier now and the most important thing is that when I was pregnant I was absolutely healthy, my iron never went down, I felt great and didn't become overweight! And I had a healthy baby!
This book says that if a baby cries and doesn't behave well, it is the parents who should be blamed for it because they didn't eat "right" during pregnancy. They say that if you eat what they recommend, foods like meat with fat, raw milk, cheese and so on only then will your baby behave well, sleep through the night and stop crying. I am a vegetarian parent and my daughter started sleeping through the night before she turned 3 months old and she is a happy baby that doesn't cry!
A vegetarian parent can produce a healthy baby and healthy breast milk full of important nutrients. There are plenty of vegetarian foods that provide enough protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.
I had to filter a lot of information when I was reading this book.
I am a vegetarian and this book didn't make any sense to me. I think the authors really didn't make enough research on the topic of a healthy diet. Before I became vegetarian I used to eat so called "nutrient-dense" foods like red meat with fat, raw milk and etc. just as it is described in this book and let me tell you this is not the best diet. I am a vegetarian now (it's been 5 years) and feel much better, I have plenty of energy, my skin and hair are so much healthier now and the most important thing is that when I was pregnant I was absolutely healthy, my iron never went down, I felt great and didn't become overweight! And I had a healthy baby!
This book says that if a baby cries and doesn't behave well, it is the parents who should be blamed for it because they didn't eat "right" during pregnancy. They say that if you eat what they recommend, foods like meat with fat, raw milk, cheese and so on only then will your baby behave well, sleep through the night and stop crying. I am a vegetarian parent and my daughter started sleeping through the night before she turned 3 months old and she is a happy baby that doesn't cry!
A vegetarian parent can produce a healthy baby and healthy breast milk full of important nutrients. There are plenty of vegetarian foods that provide enough protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.
I had to filter a lot of information when I was reading this book.
January 14, 2015
When my husband and I started to seriously plan to have a child together, one of the first things I did was buy this book. I was pleased to read that some of the pre-conception preparations outlined here were already taken care of, some even 5-7 years before. Then I adjusted a few other items. We got pregnant immediately at the first try. I know for a fact it wasn't all luck or coincidence. We were very intentional throughout the pregnancy as well. I remained low risk all the way through, had an amazing natural delivery with a midwife, and are still following this protocol with our 2.5 month baby. For medical reasons I am not breast feeding but thanks to this book we have had our baby on the homemade formula since her second week of life, and she is doing great! Happy, healthy, protected and immensely loved. I recommend this book to anyone that thinks there might be any kind of chance they will want to have children in the future, anyone who is planning to get pregnant, is pregnant, or knows someone who is. Also beneficial for anyone who has already had a baby. It's never too late to educate yourself, at any stage!
April 19, 2015
Breastfeeding moms might as well just skip this book. Highly misinformed.
November 13, 2014
Nope. Nothing here for me. Lacked the areas I was interested in reading about and everything else was fanatical and fallacy.
June 23, 2015
The book is dedicated to "tomorrow's children" but should be dedicated to ignorant hippies.
August 12, 2020
I still consider Nourishing Traditions to be somewhat of a holy grail of nutrition books, and the nutrition guidelines in this book are terrific too. But on the whole there are a lot of disagreeable points. For one, it claims babies ought to be breastfed but with a slew of stipulations. Eye roll. Except in exceedingly rare situations, breast milk IS the healthiest thing you can feed your baby (not to mention all the non-nutritional benefits from breastfeeding). This book also makes it seem like something must be wrong with your baby if he doesn't sleep through the night at x months. It is normal for babies to wake in the night. (Say it again for the people in the back. It is normal for babies to wake in the night.) That along with outright falsities particularly in the breastfeeding section, attachment parenting criticisms, and general disagreement over the child-spacing theories, I couldn't finish the book, but skimmed topics disappointed.
March 27, 2014
While the worldview is a weird Christian-influenced New Age hodge-podge which results in some seriously bizarre passages for a reader with a Biblical worldview (for example, the chapter on child spacing doesn't jibe with my understanding of Scripture and deeply held religious beliefs), the book is fascinating and helpful. The nutritional information and the science behind nourishing a growing child is invaluable and I appreciate that the authors don't set up some impossible standard, but rather share an ideal with advice for doing the best you have with the resources available to you.
September 23, 2020
It's important to know this book is done by the Weston A Price Foundation. An advocacy group for meat and dairy. Consider that bias as you read it. Some information is valid but a lot of it is folklore, unscientific and on a mission to demonize soy, fruits, vegetables and vegetarianism. Some of the advice is dangerous and references shabby arguments. There are better choices out there in baby in pregnancy nutrition books.
February 16, 2013
Read it for the nutritional information, not for the theories of disease or child development (heavily influenced by Rudolf Steiner).
May 30, 2020
This woman is pagan and no mistake. I read it for the science information and basically skimmed over the rest. Caution to young Christians, this book is not for you.
January 31, 2023
This might be an unpopular opinion but this is one of my favorite books that I've read about pregnancy and baby nutrition. This is Weston A Price based, so based on a traditional foods, nutrient dense diet. I loved practically every part of it, and definitely want to buy a copy for myself.
I only think this book pertains to extremely crunchy people, who aren't afraid of raw dairy, organ meat, and not wanting to baby led wean.
I only think this book pertains to extremely crunchy people, who aren't afraid of raw dairy, organ meat, and not wanting to baby led wean.
October 10, 2025
This is the kind of book that really makes you stress out that you are ruining your child’s health and future if you are not doing everything perfectly (or maybe that’s just most parenting books or maybe that’s just my personality?)
The dietary advice was great - I especially appreciated the amount of detail it went into to explain why certain nutrients are important and their roles in child development. There were also a lot of helpful ideas for natural/home treatments for common childhood ailments, if you don’t want to jump to antibiotics or medications right away.
The perspective on why children get certain illnesses and diseases and what exactly is happening when they contract them seemed to be a lot more spiritual/energy based than science based? So that was interesting.
As always, just taking what’s helpful and leaving what’s not!
The dietary advice was great - I especially appreciated the amount of detail it went into to explain why certain nutrients are important and their roles in child development. There were also a lot of helpful ideas for natural/home treatments for common childhood ailments, if you don’t want to jump to antibiotics or medications right away.
The perspective on why children get certain illnesses and diseases and what exactly is happening when they contract them seemed to be a lot more spiritual/energy based than science based? So that was interesting.
As always, just taking what’s helpful and leaving what’s not!
November 29, 2022
excellent, great info
August 11, 2013
I was really disappointed in this book. I am interested in ways to stay healthy and to nourish a healthy baby IN ADDITION to modern medicine. It turns out that this another of those books that capitalize on the fears and mistrust many mothers feel for medical science. I'll be honest and admit that I did not read the entire book; I'm pregnant, so I read the parts leading up to and dealing with pregnancy. I stopped reading when I reached the part about ultrasounds. Here are some of Morrell's assertions about ultrasound (found in a box titled Ultrasound: Autism and Other Defects): "The ultrasound machine is also often focused on the heart; serious defects of the heart increased nearly 250 percent between 1989 and 1996." "Could the use of ultrasound... be a contributing factor to the increase in birth defects involving the genitals and urinary tract..." "What we do know is that since 1993, the incidence of autism has increased nearly sixty-fold. Critics of ultrasound are asking whether these two facts are related." Yikes! Not one study to support these links. This is fear-mongering in my opinion, and it's shameful when pregnant women are already vulnerable to so many fears regarding the health of their babies.
May 4, 2013
The nutritional information in this book is very good. For that reason I would recommend it to mothers, but with a big disclaimer.
The disclamer would be:
1. The topic of Male Genital Mutilation (MGM) is discussed in there in a positive way. The reason for it being in the book is that traditional people do it. Yeah, they also do and did Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), but that does not make it right. Both are wrong in so many many ways.
2. The other reason why it should not be in there is that Genital Mutilation is a medical or religious topic, which should not be discussed in a book on child care as it is not general child care. The only place in the world where people are so hung up on it is in the USA.
3. There are also myths put forward about MGM as being true.
Therefore the book looses 2 stars. If the topic would have been left out I would have probably given it 5 stars as the rest of the information is very good.
The disclamer would be:
1. The topic of Male Genital Mutilation (MGM) is discussed in there in a positive way. The reason for it being in the book is that traditional people do it. Yeah, they also do and did Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), but that does not make it right. Both are wrong in so many many ways.
2. The other reason why it should not be in there is that Genital Mutilation is a medical or religious topic, which should not be discussed in a book on child care as it is not general child care. The only place in the world where people are so hung up on it is in the USA.
3. There are also myths put forward about MGM as being true.
Therefore the book looses 2 stars. If the topic would have been left out I would have probably given it 5 stars as the rest of the information is very good.
July 6, 2017
I have never marked a book so low before, but since this one is dealing with such important topic any potential reader should be warned of its content. This book contains some dangerous, dated information, primarily about breastfeeding and weaning. I won't even go into the whole vaccination bit. The advice in this book is not based on scientific research, and can be misleading and potentially dangerous.
One thing is to disagree with the parenting philosophy, but completely another is to give advice that could be harmful for babies and mothers (one of the most striking examples is that the authors advise women against getting a rhogam shot (anti-d) in case of blood incompatibility!)
There are much better books on the subject based on real facts, and which are also empowering women. This book is quite the opposite.
One thing is to disagree with the parenting philosophy, but completely another is to give advice that could be harmful for babies and mothers (one of the most striking examples is that the authors advise women against getting a rhogam shot (anti-d) in case of blood incompatibility!)
There are much better books on the subject based on real facts, and which are also empowering women. This book is quite the opposite.
October 17, 2024
⭐️3.5
This was an incredibly well researched, cohesive, and informative book. It basically offers all the info one needs to know on all topics surrounding fertility, pregnancy, and young child care. I appreciate the zeal and knowledge the authors put in on this topic and you can see their love and deference for healthy families and children very plainly.
My only warning with this text is for readers to read with an open mind. There is a lot of interesting and, I believe, crucial research that shines through this book and educates parents on many of the dangers that modern personal care products, foods/diets, prenatal/childhood medical interventions, etc can pose to an unborn or young child. While I believe that it is good to know these things, I found there to be a driving urgency to and a plethora of one size fits all blanket statements in the text that actually caused fear and made me fall into a legalism of sorts.
It felt as if the authors advised for or against so many things to make sure the pregnancy was perfectly healthy that I felt like I simply couldn’t do it all, which in turn, made me fear the absolute worst and assume that if I didn’t do everything they directed, I was a bad person. I started to become legalistic and guilty about my health as well, which I genuinely don’t think was the point of the text or the goal of the authors, however, a nervous first time mother can easily fall into the trap of worrying, especially upon reading a book which highlights all the things to worry about!
Again, I don’t think this book’s intention was to fear-monger or discourage, but I would encourage any mothers who read it to be open minded, understand the facts, but also work through pregnancy and child-rearing with a Golden Mean mindset. It is extremely hard to get one’s health and pregnancy “perfectly right” through avoiding every single poorer choice concerning diet, exercise, prenatal interventions, etc etc, and I would hate for people to read this text and come away conflicted, worried, and paranoid as I struggled with.
Overall, I thought it was a good read and I’m glad to have all this info. I will definitely use the book for info for years to come, however, I will not be attempting to enforce every protocol this book says is pretty much necessary for a successful pregnancy.
This was an incredibly well researched, cohesive, and informative book. It basically offers all the info one needs to know on all topics surrounding fertility, pregnancy, and young child care. I appreciate the zeal and knowledge the authors put in on this topic and you can see their love and deference for healthy families and children very plainly.
My only warning with this text is for readers to read with an open mind. There is a lot of interesting and, I believe, crucial research that shines through this book and educates parents on many of the dangers that modern personal care products, foods/diets, prenatal/childhood medical interventions, etc can pose to an unborn or young child. While I believe that it is good to know these things, I found there to be a driving urgency to and a plethora of one size fits all blanket statements in the text that actually caused fear and made me fall into a legalism of sorts.
It felt as if the authors advised for or against so many things to make sure the pregnancy was perfectly healthy that I felt like I simply couldn’t do it all, which in turn, made me fear the absolute worst and assume that if I didn’t do everything they directed, I was a bad person. I started to become legalistic and guilty about my health as well, which I genuinely don’t think was the point of the text or the goal of the authors, however, a nervous first time mother can easily fall into the trap of worrying, especially upon reading a book which highlights all the things to worry about!
Again, I don’t think this book’s intention was to fear-monger or discourage, but I would encourage any mothers who read it to be open minded, understand the facts, but also work through pregnancy and child-rearing with a Golden Mean mindset. It is extremely hard to get one’s health and pregnancy “perfectly right” through avoiding every single poorer choice concerning diet, exercise, prenatal interventions, etc etc, and I would hate for people to read this text and come away conflicted, worried, and paranoid as I struggled with.
Overall, I thought it was a good read and I’m glad to have all this info. I will definitely use the book for info for years to come, however, I will not be attempting to enforce every protocol this book says is pretty much necessary for a successful pregnancy.
October 23, 2024
So helpful and informative for me as a new mom! A book I’ll be referencing for years to come!
November 2, 2024
Will be purchasing a paper copy for myself and every mom and mom-to-be I know.
September 16, 2024
So much good stuff on nutrition in here. For the the parenting advice was meh and I ended up just skipping most of the but nutritional teaching, well worth the read for that. I applied a lot of this for my little one and he has a great diet, eats anything and is very healthy.
June 19, 2020
This is a very thorough and informative book. It is unfortunate it has such poor reviews on it because this is a very helpful resource for those seeking to have and raise children without all the medical interference and toxic things that modern parents so willfully accept as normal. While I do not agree with every piece of advice found in this book (particularly the chapter she wrote on play and tidbits on child-rearing that I don't adhere to), I do think there is much wisdom here that should be considered.
Firstly, if you are not familiar with Weston A. Price Foundation and traditional foods, I would encourage you to start here: https://www.westonaprice.org/
If you do not agree with it, then this book is not for you.
Secondly, if you believe vaccines are the savior of mankind, this book is not for you. In the past few years, studies and facts on the risks and dangers of vaccines have come to the surface. True science shows that vaccines are linked to numerous chronic illnesses, autoimmunity, demyelination/encephalitis (which become the symptoms we now associate with autism) and more. Today's generation of children are sicker than ever due to the increased medical intervention and tremendous toxic vaccine load on babies. Educate yourself here:
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/
https://www.nvic.org/
https://vaccine.guide/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZD...
Thirdly, if you do not value the timeless wisdom of ancient cultures and a truly natural whole-body approach to child raising, this book is not for you. It's sad that natural approaches to life in general are still regarded as quackery or hippie. Modern generations have tragically lost the ability to be in touch with the earth, our bodies, and the seasons and cycles of life.
Fourthly, if you are vegan/vegetarian, why are you even reading this book?? Seriously. I saw a couple reviews from some vegetarian readers and it's laughable that they even picked this book up. Spoiler alert: meat and organ meats are the top staples of traditional diets.
With all that said, I will definitely be referring to this book again. The diet and nutrition advice is top notch! The advice for mothers on caring for themselves as well as the remedies and information on childhood illnesses and diseases makes this book incredibly helpful to have on hand. In addition, the recipes in the back of the back sound incredibly tasty and nourishing! I plan to use this book a lot in the future. It is a tremendous resource!
Firstly, if you are not familiar with Weston A. Price Foundation and traditional foods, I would encourage you to start here: https://www.westonaprice.org/
If you do not agree with it, then this book is not for you.
Secondly, if you believe vaccines are the savior of mankind, this book is not for you. In the past few years, studies and facts on the risks and dangers of vaccines have come to the surface. True science shows that vaccines are linked to numerous chronic illnesses, autoimmunity, demyelination/encephalitis (which become the symptoms we now associate with autism) and more. Today's generation of children are sicker than ever due to the increased medical intervention and tremendous toxic vaccine load on babies. Educate yourself here:
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/
https://www.nvic.org/
https://vaccine.guide/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZD...
Thirdly, if you do not value the timeless wisdom of ancient cultures and a truly natural whole-body approach to child raising, this book is not for you. It's sad that natural approaches to life in general are still regarded as quackery or hippie. Modern generations have tragically lost the ability to be in touch with the earth, our bodies, and the seasons and cycles of life.
Fourthly, if you are vegan/vegetarian, why are you even reading this book?? Seriously. I saw a couple reviews from some vegetarian readers and it's laughable that they even picked this book up. Spoiler alert: meat and organ meats are the top staples of traditional diets.
With all that said, I will definitely be referring to this book again. The diet and nutrition advice is top notch! The advice for mothers on caring for themselves as well as the remedies and information on childhood illnesses and diseases makes this book incredibly helpful to have on hand. In addition, the recipes in the back of the back sound incredibly tasty and nourishing! I plan to use this book a lot in the future. It is a tremendous resource!
February 1, 2022
Lots of gems and poops. You have to weed through some stuff to get to the good stuff. The resources offered are good and the foods recommended are on target. Yes to collagen and lacto-fermented goods. Yes to healthy diets.
I skipped the parenting stuff because I'd rather get parenting advice from people I personally know and trust than some random person.
What I didn't like:
Mentioning the doctor or midwife assisting mother to birth the child by helping with vaginal stretching. No way dude. Keep your hands off. Physiologically a baby is designed to go in and out slowly to prevent tearing. A doctor or midwife needs to keep their hands to themselves. It's terribly rapey.
Preparing nipples for nursing with lemon juice or alcohol? Not necessary. Just feed the baby and spread some breastmilk on the tender parts. It's built in God designed it that way.
It seems like the authors have stocks in cod-liver oil because it's the miraculous cure for everything. Isn't cod fish really high in mercury? I'd have to look more into this.
Also the basis of this whole book is in rejection of reality. The fall of man isn't considered to be a reality. They totally ignore the observable degradation of the human race and chalk all responsibility to the health choices of the mother or father. This puts a heavy burden of guilt and shame on the parent if something goes wrong. Not everything is within our control.
Yes to the references to Sara Wickham and her research, she rocks. Also yes to Sudan Weed for natural remedies.
Overall this is a useful book and resource. Just sift through the dung and you'll find a great reference book for your shelves. It helps that its a free Kindle download if you have Amazon Prime.
I skipped the parenting stuff because I'd rather get parenting advice from people I personally know and trust than some random person.
What I didn't like:
Mentioning the doctor or midwife assisting mother to birth the child by helping with vaginal stretching. No way dude. Keep your hands off. Physiologically a baby is designed to go in and out slowly to prevent tearing. A doctor or midwife needs to keep their hands to themselves. It's terribly rapey.
Preparing nipples for nursing with lemon juice or alcohol? Not necessary. Just feed the baby and spread some breastmilk on the tender parts. It's built in God designed it that way.
It seems like the authors have stocks in cod-liver oil because it's the miraculous cure for everything. Isn't cod fish really high in mercury? I'd have to look more into this.
Also the basis of this whole book is in rejection of reality. The fall of man isn't considered to be a reality. They totally ignore the observable degradation of the human race and chalk all responsibility to the health choices of the mother or father. This puts a heavy burden of guilt and shame on the parent if something goes wrong. Not everything is within our control.
Yes to the references to Sara Wickham and her research, she rocks. Also yes to Sudan Weed for natural remedies.
Overall this is a useful book and resource. Just sift through the dung and you'll find a great reference book for your shelves. It helps that its a free Kindle download if you have Amazon Prime.
February 1, 2018
I do think some of the nutritional advice in this book is sound, and can be very helpful. I mainly read the book for the recipes and suggestions on when to introduce foods to my baby. However, I have to say that our girl Sally seems to have some fairly out there ideas that don't really have much research backing them up. For example, she insists that you should not play with your child at all. Really? Sorry-I WANT to play with my kid, and on top of that, it's good for him. Also, I don't really think that getting scarlet fever or measles is a right of passage that will severely alter my child's emotional health if he misses out on the chance to endure them. I mainly kept reading for entertainment after the nutrition sections to see what she would say next.
July 10, 2017
Slightly mad but a good counter point to lots of other things!
Don't make your own baby formula please! But the weaning recipes are good, just don't add the salt. Baby livers can't take extra salt.
Don't make your own baby formula please! But the weaning recipes are good, just don't add the salt. Baby livers can't take extra salt.
May 14, 2019
This book promotes genital mutilation of children 👎🏼
September 1, 2021
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. First of all, I do like the Weston A. Price diet. It's not keto, Paleo, or Atkins, but it has similarities to all - it's ancestral. Even then, I know there are issues with the idea of an ancestral diet because most people are multicultural, and we are so far from being the hunter-gatherer ethnicities of the past.
I can easily see that the few isolated tribes or groups of people around the world seem fit, have straight white teeth, less disease, strong jaws, etc., but we can't pretend we can revert back to that. Enough interaction with us modern folk and they run the risk of experiencing a deadly virus...
I believe wholeheartedly that sugar is to blame for most diseases in modern day humans. That and the excessive amounts of refined grains are an issue. I agree.
The idea of not vaccinating at all was problematic for me. I could understand not vaccinating a child until the age of two BUT only with a lot of social isolation. I just couldn't do that to my son. I was reading this chapter while I had joined a "scrunchy" mom's group. Many of the moms were against vaccination. It kept me up all night before the day I was supposed to have my son receive several vaccines with multiple immunizations.
Honestly, we are a much safer global society because of immunization. Kids would die all the time from diseases. Vaccination changed the 20th century. The only reason anti-vaxxers might think they have lower rates of autism and seemingly healthy children is because they are a much smaller percentage, so it's less obvious. If the majority of people were unvaccinated again, you would see large numbers of autism as there are now. These people are playing Russian roulette with their health and their children's health.
By the way, mercury hasn't been in any vaccines since the early 2000s, and metals like aluminum are everywhere that they can be found in breast milk anyway.
Ask for raw milk, and homemade formula, there's just a risk for contamination. Let's not forget that cow udders can easily come into contact with cow shit. Pasteurization is not the issue. The problem is the hormones injected into cattle and a high-grain diet.
Yes, I see where hormonal birth control is wrecking the health of many women, especially mental health.
Finally someone mentions what I had already guessed: that it's healthiest to have children every 3 to 5 years. It makes sense not to do it sooner because the uterus has taken a beating, and waiting too long kind of means you are out of shape.
Also, I'm glad someone understands the importance of proper diet during breastfeeding. Too many women take it for granted. I understand that postpartum is already difficult enough, but many newborns are going to lack nutrients depending on what their mothers consume. Women can become easily unhealthy when their nutrients are depleted for the creation of their breast milk. Breastfed babies are supposed to be healthier than formula fat babies, and yet you find sick, overweight children with dental issues to be common in both groups.
I wish this was publicized, but no, let's just let women pretend that their milk is perfect.
Then there is this: "If you can, install DSL or cable rather than Wi-Fi in your home or apartment. If you must use a cell phone, use an earpiece and avoid conversations longer than two minutes. Even portable phones emit a strong electromagnetic signal, so use an old fashioned land-line telephone connected with a cord."
I promise to wear an aluminum cone over at my head when I microwave my food...No!
I just can't get over how I am supposed to accept whooping cough and other diseases as phases in childhood. I know I already mentioned vaccination, but it really bothered me. It got really spiritual with this subject, but I just can't excuse it. I understand that we have increasing cases of asthma and allergies, yet we have increasing cases of childhood obesity, pollution, and odd chemicals in our food.
If anything, I can improve my diet because high protein and moderately high fat meals seem to make me feel better. I see the importance of cod liver oil, omega-3, DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2.
I'm already trying to eat more organ meats, tried making bone broth, eating two eggs per day, daily butter where I can, increasing spinach consumption, etc.
I even bought my newborn a cod liver oil supplement high in vitamin D and DHA. Well, being as I am not giving him breast milk for weeks now, I found a probiotic supplement with six different bacterial colony strains. I prefer to give him formula from a lab then making my own.
I'll be sure to start feeding him homemade baby food when he's at least 6 months if not earlier.
I would like to discuss this book with other people, of course. I think it's controversial. I recommend that it be read by those that are willing.
I can easily see that the few isolated tribes or groups of people around the world seem fit, have straight white teeth, less disease, strong jaws, etc., but we can't pretend we can revert back to that. Enough interaction with us modern folk and they run the risk of experiencing a deadly virus...
I believe wholeheartedly that sugar is to blame for most diseases in modern day humans. That and the excessive amounts of refined grains are an issue. I agree.
The idea of not vaccinating at all was problematic for me. I could understand not vaccinating a child until the age of two BUT only with a lot of social isolation. I just couldn't do that to my son. I was reading this chapter while I had joined a "scrunchy" mom's group. Many of the moms were against vaccination. It kept me up all night before the day I was supposed to have my son receive several vaccines with multiple immunizations.
Honestly, we are a much safer global society because of immunization. Kids would die all the time from diseases. Vaccination changed the 20th century. The only reason anti-vaxxers might think they have lower rates of autism and seemingly healthy children is because they are a much smaller percentage, so it's less obvious. If the majority of people were unvaccinated again, you would see large numbers of autism as there are now. These people are playing Russian roulette with their health and their children's health.
By the way, mercury hasn't been in any vaccines since the early 2000s, and metals like aluminum are everywhere that they can be found in breast milk anyway.
Ask for raw milk, and homemade formula, there's just a risk for contamination. Let's not forget that cow udders can easily come into contact with cow shit. Pasteurization is not the issue. The problem is the hormones injected into cattle and a high-grain diet.
Yes, I see where hormonal birth control is wrecking the health of many women, especially mental health.
Finally someone mentions what I had already guessed: that it's healthiest to have children every 3 to 5 years. It makes sense not to do it sooner because the uterus has taken a beating, and waiting too long kind of means you are out of shape.
Also, I'm glad someone understands the importance of proper diet during breastfeeding. Too many women take it for granted. I understand that postpartum is already difficult enough, but many newborns are going to lack nutrients depending on what their mothers consume. Women can become easily unhealthy when their nutrients are depleted for the creation of their breast milk. Breastfed babies are supposed to be healthier than formula fat babies, and yet you find sick, overweight children with dental issues to be common in both groups.
I wish this was publicized, but no, let's just let women pretend that their milk is perfect.
Then there is this: "If you can, install DSL or cable rather than Wi-Fi in your home or apartment. If you must use a cell phone, use an earpiece and avoid conversations longer than two minutes. Even portable phones emit a strong electromagnetic signal, so use an old fashioned land-line telephone connected with a cord."
I promise to wear an aluminum cone over at my head when I microwave my food...No!
I just can't get over how I am supposed to accept whooping cough and other diseases as phases in childhood. I know I already mentioned vaccination, but it really bothered me. It got really spiritual with this subject, but I just can't excuse it. I understand that we have increasing cases of asthma and allergies, yet we have increasing cases of childhood obesity, pollution, and odd chemicals in our food.
If anything, I can improve my diet because high protein and moderately high fat meals seem to make me feel better. I see the importance of cod liver oil, omega-3, DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2.
I'm already trying to eat more organ meats, tried making bone broth, eating two eggs per day, daily butter where I can, increasing spinach consumption, etc.
I even bought my newborn a cod liver oil supplement high in vitamin D and DHA. Well, being as I am not giving him breast milk for weeks now, I found a probiotic supplement with six different bacterial colony strains. I prefer to give him formula from a lab then making my own.
I'll be sure to start feeding him homemade baby food when he's at least 6 months if not earlier.
I would like to discuss this book with other people, of course. I think it's controversial. I recommend that it be read by those that are willing.
October 27, 2020
The cover is the best part about this book. There is a tradition spanning all cultures of the world on the importance of a pleasant and positive environment for pregnant women, babies, and children, yet this whole read is quite negative and depressing. The moment you open the book and see the small, crowded print you know that it is in serious need of a good editing-starting with almost half of the book that is taken up with arguing against long, complicated mainstream medical practice. Tell us the right thing to do: we don’t need to know every single medical idea that isn’t right.
Another big issue: it’s called nourishing “traditions”, yet you’d be hard pressed to find a single tradition in the entire book. Most countries (especially Asian countries, like Korea) have rich, fascinating, histories of traditional foods and practices for pregnancy, labor, and babies, yet we get none of that here. You actually get more traditional and actually helpful information from “Queen Jin’s Handbook of Pregnancy” which is mostly a very thin collection of hippie stories and poems, but occasionally quotes traditional Korean texts which had great information that was extremely helpful to my pregnancy. With this book we get lots and lots of boring modern medical terminology and a rerun of the first Nourishing traditions book.
There is just a heavily negative, heavy slant to the entire book on a topic that is one of the most joyful in life. I don’t usually give negative reviews, but if Sally Fallon can be so negative about a topic as happy as babies, then I don’t feel too bad being negative back.
Another big issue: it’s called nourishing “traditions”, yet you’d be hard pressed to find a single tradition in the entire book. Most countries (especially Asian countries, like Korea) have rich, fascinating, histories of traditional foods and practices for pregnancy, labor, and babies, yet we get none of that here. You actually get more traditional and actually helpful information from “Queen Jin’s Handbook of Pregnancy” which is mostly a very thin collection of hippie stories and poems, but occasionally quotes traditional Korean texts which had great information that was extremely helpful to my pregnancy. With this book we get lots and lots of boring modern medical terminology and a rerun of the first Nourishing traditions book.
There is just a heavily negative, heavy slant to the entire book on a topic that is one of the most joyful in life. I don’t usually give negative reviews, but if Sally Fallon can be so negative about a topic as happy as babies, then I don’t feel too bad being negative back.
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