In the fifth and sixth months of pregnancy, when the spleen and stomach of the baby are formed, foods containing copious amounts of vitamin B are recommended. Lotus seed, rice, potatoes and peanuts are also specifically suggested. In the seventh and eighth months , associated with Metal, the lungs are formed. This period is essential in the building of healthy systemic QI for the child. In the last months before birth, the brain and kidneys are formed and begin to operate.
Salty foods are to be avoided, but yams, black sesame, and taro root are excellent fare.
Traditionally, it is further recommended that soups derived from the kidney and spinal marrow of the pig be ingested, as this will build the tissue of the brain. These general suggestions have been made for centuries with positive results, but as each woman, child, and pregnancy is unique, we at Winds and Waters strongly suggest that you seek out and heed the recommendations of qualified professionals of your choice during pregnancy. It is our philosophy that as the 'host' to an unborn child, the expecting mother simply forgo concerns of vanity and issues of body image in deference to the job of growing a happy healthy child. A health-care professional can determine what is needed for the mother to provide the best balance of nutrition for a nursing child and for the mother's health. It may be hard to keep this in mind at three o'clock in the morning, but once weaned, a child will rarely if ever return to the breast.