Organic & Raw Coconut Butter for mothers and babies

 As promised.... here is the article about the benefits that coconut oil can introduce to mother and baby




Virgin Coconut Oil Increases Beneficial Properties in Human Breast Milk
by: Cori Young

VIRGIN OCONUT OIL FOUND BENEFICIAL FOR LACTATING MOTHERS...
The unique composition of human breast milk fat includes the fatty acids, lauric acid and capric acid, which have potent antimicrobial properties. These fatty acids offer the nursing infant protection from viruses such as herpes and HIV, protozoa such as giardia lamblia, and bacteria such as chlamydia and heliocobater.

A study published in 1998 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that lactating mothers who eat coconut oil and other coconut products, have significantly increased levels of lauric acid and capric acid in their breast milk. Thus, the milk supply has increased amounts of the protective antimicrobials , which will give even greater protection to the nursing infant.
Pregnant females store fat to assure successful lactation. Any lauric acid and capric acid in the diet becomes part of the adipose stores. The milk fat of a lactating mother is made up of these stores as well as her current diet. If her diet doesn´ t contain lauric acid, then generally her milk fat will contain around 3 lauric acid and round 1 capric acid.

When a lactating woman adds foods rich in lauric acid to her diet, the amount of lauric acid available in her breastmilk increases substantially to levels three times the original level and nearly double the amount of capric acid. In countries where coconut oil is a diet staple, levels of lauric acid in the mother´ s milk can be as high as 21 and capric acid can be as high as 6 giving her infant even more protection against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.

Coconut oil can be used instead of butter in cooking and baking. You can stir it into oatmeal or even use it as a spread. Also, this oil´ s antimicrobial properties are beneficial for the skin. Pregnant women in many cultures the world over rub cocnut oil on their expanding bellies to keep skin soft and prevent itching.

Virgin coconut oil can also be used to massage baby... 



This article wasn't written from a raw food perspective, but it really does spell out what an amazing food coconut butter is and the great effects it can have when added to the diet during pregnancy and the postpartum.  If looking for ways to incorporate raw coconut butter into meals, it can be blended into smoothies, sauces, soups, or curries.  It's also a great ingredient to include in raw desserts and treats :) 

 I will follow up with a post about the benefits of eating dates during pregnancy and the postpartum really soon