Today was a rollercoaster of a day. Ellie has been struggling with constipation since starting Intro so I decided to try introducing carrot juice this morning per Dr. Natasha's suggestion to start juice early when constipation is present. I had no idea a little bit of carrot juice was going to completely knock us on our asses. I knew that carrot juice was detoxifying, but jeesh!
I felt profoundly tired all day. The closest thing I can compare the feeling to is the tremendous physical exhaustion I felt during the first trimester of my pregnancy. Ellie experiences die-off differently. She gets super fussy and clingy and impossible to please. She wants to nurse constantly, which is always rough when I am feeling terrible too and all I want is to lay on the couch alone.
Today I made the mistake of making too many changes at once and now I'm left wondering why she is once again sobbing at bedtime. We started carrot juice. I started a mineral supplement. And I included fennel in our chicken stew tonight - a vegetable Ellie's never eaten. So God only knows what's going on. Makes me feel like throwing my hands up and eating a bowl of yogurt.
But Osama bin Laden's been killed. So the day did end with a bit of good news.
These days are so disheartening. I find that knowing that we are working hard to heal them eases the mom guilt just a bit and fires my determination even more. Thank you SO much for posting the link to the minerals. I never even though about supplementing that way. We just started Celtic sea salt and my husband can't get enough of it. I'd say we probably need to add some extra minerals in too! I was even thinking of using it in the soil for my garden. I think it would be a great way to make our herbs and veggies more nutritious.
ReplyDeleteDisheartening indeed. All you can do is start over again the next day. We recently got the Celtic sea salt too and I can't get enough either! I'm not a salt person, but it is so tasty! The mineral supplements taste a little funny to me, but are certainly good for you. Just realized I should try sneaking them into my carrot juice.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie - I'm Julia in the UK. I'm doing GAPS and nursing a toddler too. Just wanted to send a little note of support. I know it can be so frustrating. but i'm sure GAPS is a (long-term) miracle! Just wanted to mention too - have you come across the work of Patty Wipfler and handinhandparenting.org - its one of the most wonderful resources i've found for parenting ever - she has helped me enormously with all things to do with baby/toddler crying and esp her info about that and breastfeeding (she's pro feeding on demand but gave other info i didn't know) and crying and weaning gently etc. free articles on her website have been invaluable to me.
ReplyDeleteHi Julia - I am with you. I really think GAPS is a (long-term) miracle. We've just got to get through the rough early stages.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this resource! I am really looking forward to reading the articles. Just started reading one called Listening to Nursing Children and was really touched by this line:
Nursing is one of baby's safe harbors, and nursing mothers feel lucky to provide so much, so easily.