Have you ever heard of this old wives tell?

Question

My mother in law told me not to ignore my cravings (im pregnant) because "its the baby thats craving the food and I cant neglect it because if i dont give in to the cravings I could harm the baby". This sounds so ridiculous to me. Have you ever heard this or any other weird supperstitions about pregnancy?

The reason this sounded so crazy to me is because she told me this story as I was trying to explain how healthy Im eating for the baby. It was like she was saying I was wrong!

Answer 1

I craved Bloomin Onions from the Outback and almost anything from Taco Bell... Pretty sure my baby wasn't lacking the deep fried onion vitamin...

Don't listen to those old wives tales. Your mother in law will most likely tell you to put your baby on her stomach to sleep (which is a big no-no) and other things that are outdated. Listen to yourself, your doctor, and freinds that have had children in the last couple of years. Advice from someone who hasn't had a baby in 30 or 40 years is waaaayyyy out of date!

Answer 2

I have heard of this and you are right you can ignore your cravings and still have a very healthy child, the things that my children craved were things that I never ate in my life and I didn't eat them because I didn't think it was right, I gave birth to a 9 pound 4 ounce baby and he is perfect no health problems. Some other old wives tales I heard don't raise your arms over your head, don't sleep on your stomache. Please just take care of yourself be healthy and happy if you do that then the baby will be the same as you. I wish all the luck in the world and hope that you give birth to the healthiest baby around.

Answer 3

Yes, I have heard about it...

Actually I won't say it is the baby who is craving for the food but when the crave is there, it is really hard to ignore it. you won't harm the baby by not eating the food the baby craved for but your body system starts to make you feel spinning and your mind is sort-of not functioning well suddenly. I don't know if you feel like that too...

Old wives' tales sometimes have got no logic at all and sometimes the old folks will tell us just to make up more alert. Give them some benefit of doubt for that....

Cheers... and have a smooth pregnancy

Answer 4

I've been told by midwives during some of my pregnancies that the body sometimes craves foods that it knows instinctively contain nutritional components that the body needs. That makes enough sense, except that many women mistake their cravings for sugary foods when they are really a cry for protein. Protein is what your body needs to build a healthy baby, and give you the long-lasting energy you need. But sugar gives that instant high, followed by the crash and the craving for more sugar, so the signals get mixed in between. You *need* protein for energy and baby-building, but your body craves the sugar that will give it that immediate rush.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Just try to remember to keep everything within moderation.... ;)

Answer 5

I think it is a case of your body craving something it is lacking. This could explain the desire for things like coal and sand because of there mineral content. So it is another old wives tale that if you think about it is quite logical. As to not following your cravings being detrimental to the babies health, I don't believe that to be so.
An Indian superstition is that if the pregnant lady sees a snake, any snake dead or alive then she will have a girl, not a good omen in that culture.

Answer 6

I've heard it. But I don't believe it will harm the baby. But I believe your body craves things because it's needing something. I don't think it's the baby craving it but your body goes into hyper survival mode to protect you when you're pregnant. I craved spinach for awhile & found out I had a low blood count. My body was needing iron.
I craved beans (I hate them) but I was getting very little protein. Once I started eating right & taking a multi vitamin everyday the cravings stopped.
So I don't think you should ignore the craving just don't overindulge.

Answer 7

i have nont heard it will harm the baby but i have been told that your child will be born with a birth mark in the shape of that food, lol.....but the reason you crave certain things is because your body needs something in it, like pregnant women crave pickles cause they need the extra sodium, and there is a difference in a mental craving and a physical craving
Mental is where you see something and you want it cause something made you thinik about it.
and a physical craving is where it comes out of nowhere and its normally not something that is very sweet or bad for you.

Answer 8

Some times a person craves a food because the body needs a vitamin or mineral that is found in that food. I suggest taking your calcium and vitamin pills daily and eat a healthy diet. this should reduce your cravings.

Answer 9

What she is trying to say that she heard(& it is true)is that a craving is your own body telling you, that you need something the food provides. I craved spinach & broccoli(iron & vit C)some crave ice cream(calcium)pickles-not sure where that comes from. but it is a natural way of supplying your body that is being sapped of all vitamins & minerals you intake to go to the development of the baby, so you need more of certain things at different times if you are not eating properly & taking suppliments that replenish what the baby takes.

Answer 10

well I guess it depends what you are craving.
I craved spinach and ate it every day for a while.....great source of iron, folic acid and many other goodies. Obviously, my body (baby) needed and wanted the spinach.

However, I also craved icecream and ate too much :( I think I may well have needed calcium....but could have found a different way to get what I needed.