When I was first introduced to the benefits of raw milk nearly 20 years ago, I was newly pregnant with my second child. While I wanted to reap the benefits of this nutrient dense food, I was initially cautious to begin consuming it for fear it might harm my baby.
Everywhere I turned for research and information about the safety of raw milk during pregnancy was negative.
Numerous citations and sources I reviewed warned against consuming raw milk during pregnancy due to the risk of infection with Listeria monocytogenes, a deadly pathogen that can cause fetal death or premature birth.
While the research I uncovered contained dire warnings about infection with Listeria during pregnancy, I couldn’t actually find documentation about anyone who had actually contracted it from drinking raw milk let alone died or miscarried from it!
After much reading and thought, I concluded that the warnings against raw milk were unwarranted and the nutritional benefits to myself and my child vastly outweighed any risk.
I began to consume raw milk along with aged raw cheese, raw cream and raw butter late in the first trimester of my second pregnancy. Â I continued this practice throughout my second and third pregnancy with no ill effects. Â Both children were born healthy, full term and a normal weight.
Why Does the FDA Warn Against Raw Milk During Pregnancy?
In the 12 years since I began consuming raw milk while newly pregnant, the nonexistence of infection with Listeria monocytogenes for raw milk drinkers has continued.  Analysis of Centers for Disease Control data on raw milk outbreaks listed no cases whatsoever of food-borne illness from raw milk caused by Listeria during the entire 13 year period from 1993-2005.
On the other hand, there have been hundreds of illnesses from Listeria contracted from eating deli meats according to a 2003 USDA/FDA report.
In addition, 147 people across 28 states contracted listeriosis in 2011 from cantaloupes.  33 people died as a result of this outbreak and 1 pregnant woman miscarried.
Even pasteurized milk and cheese carries the very real risk of listeriosis. Â From 1998-2012, there were 50 illnesses and 10 deaths (1 fetus) from Listeria contracted from consuming pasteurized milk and cheese in the United States.
Are formal warnings issued to pregnant women regarding the dangers of eating deli meats, pasteurized milk and cheese or cantaloupes while pregnant?
No.
The FDA clearly has a double standard when it warns against consumption of raw milk during pregnancy when no cases or deaths of listeriosis are recorded and yet many have occurred for other foods.
The Dairy That Should be Avoided During Pregnancy
A very real risk of Listeria during pregnancy comes from soft, unaged cheese – both raw and pasteurized.
In Europe, there were 4 deaths from pasteurized soft cheese in 2009. Â There have also been a number of illnesses and miscarriages from Mexican style cheese made from raw milk including a few in my home state of Florida. Â This cheese is sometimes referred to as “bathtub cheese”.
If you are pregnant, it is wise to avoid soft, unaged cheeses of all kinds due to the very real risk of Listeria. Â However, grassfed, raw milk is safe as are aged raw cheeses, raw cream, and raw butter.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sources:
Those Pathogens, What You Should Know
Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care
Zero Deaths from Raw Milk, Health Impact News
I wish I had known about, and had access to raw milk when my first child was born! Thankfully, I did for my second child, who was born at 29 weeks by emergency C-section due to a placental abruption. He was in the 95th percentile for weight at 29 weeks, and had no major issues or problems, which I completely contribute to a real food (including raw milk) pregnancy diet. He received breast milk for 3 months, and then switched to the raw milk formula. At 2 1/2, he is now completely caught up, and actually about a year ahead of where my first child (full term, fed breast milk and commercial formula) was with speech at that age.
Not only is properly sourced raw milk safe during pregnancy and for infants and children, in my opinion, it is far superior to any formula or foods the FDA or USDA has approved for them.
Jenifer Jones this would b great nutrition for u and your growing babies!
I did it
My twins are 6.5 months old. When I introduce them to milk at 1 year, is it okay if it’s raw milk? I can only find negative literature on this also.
Michelle, this comment is very late and may not be helpful for you but in case it is for someone else…I fed my little boy raw goat’s milk starting at 1 year since he was not into “regular” whole milk. We have never had any issues with it. It is far healthier and tastes far better than grocery-store milk. I agree with others that knowing the source is important. The farmer is a friend of mine and I have toured the farm.
What are your thoughts on small batch homemade raw cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream? The only info I could find beyond the global “avoid soft cheese” recommendation was that cleanliness of the cheesemaking environment and length of time before consumption (the faster the better so any listeria bacteria would not have time to multiply to high levels) were the most important factors.
35 years ago, when I marrried my dairy farmer husband, I didn’t think twice about drinking raw milk….drank raw milk all through six terriffic pregnancies, raised six great kids now adults on raw milk, and now the grandbabies all drink raw after they are weaned. What do you suppose women/mothers drank 100 years ago!!!!!
Thank you for this article. I have recently had some different questions pertaining to raw milk and I’m wondering if you could answer them…I am trying to conceive, have been for 2 years now. I recently found out I have endometriosis. My question is do you know if raw milk is unhealthy for a woman with endo? I have read in numerous places that dairy should be avoided, however I’m wondering if like with lactose intolerance raw milk is actually okay and isn’t a problem. Do you know anything about this? Thank you so much!
Autumn
I have endo as well and I drink raw milk every day. If anything my symptoms have gotten better since I started drinking it.
Autumn – I suffered from endo for decades and was so relieved to reach menopause ;-). I think any warnings relative to food and endo would be keeping an eye on reducing inflammation in your system. If you drink milk from cows that are fed mostly grain, you will be consuming something that raises your inflammation level. If you drink milk from cows that are grass-fed, it seems to me that you would be fine. Not an expert. Know your farmer.
Autumn, if you have a naturopath nearby, they could really help you with endo. There is so much more available now, than when my sister in law had it 20 yrs ago. God bless.
That is comforting to know that the CDC’s own data shows the safety of drinking raw milk! Too bad they don’t like admitting that…
One of the things that bother me about “food risks” is that they tell you what it is but they don’t tell you the odds you will get it. Not so strangely, it seems the odds of having an adverse reaction to legal prescription drugs and foods the USDA approves are often moderate to high whereas man of their more natural and closer to source counterparts are often deemed dangerous, illegal, etc and the risks of contraindication are very low. It would be like winning a lottery jackpot or being hit by lightning. I’m not holding my breath for that one but eating less healthy “approved foods” and taking less than natural medications rather than healthy mineral supplements and eating farm fresh food is like holding one’s breath and hoping health will hit you.
Anther interesting article thanks. I was fortunate to be able to drink raw milk for a couple of years some time ago. I miss not being able to. It was one of those foods that I instinctively knew was good for me. It tasted great too.