The best nutrition for mum and baby

What a mother eats during pregnancy can have far-reaching consequences on her infant, writes Rozanna M. Rosly

MALAYSIAN mothers are a lucky lot. According to a 2015 report by the global NGO Save The Children, Malaysia is the second-best place to be a mother in Southeast Asia with regards to maternal health, the wellbeing of children and educational and economic status.

Despite these advantages, however, most pregnant mothers face uncertainties when making the right nutritional choices.

This is something that needs to be addressed, because a nutritious diet is not only essential for healthy foetal development but also helps set a strong foundation for baby’s future development and reduces chronic health problems in both mother and baby.

KEEPING TO THE RIGHT WEIGHT

A healthy diet can improve mum’s fertility and pave the way for an easier delivery. It also establishes the building blocks of growth and gives babies a strong start in life. A poor diet, however, can result in various health risks.

Poor nutrition on a mother’s part can directly affect her baby.

An overweight, pregnant mother may suffer from short and long-term maternal health risks such as obesity and diabetes.

Mothers who are undernourished or fail to gain adequate weight, on the other hand, are unable to supply the needs of the foetus.

They also face a higher risk of dying during pregnancy and are prone to other complications including excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, high sugar levels and postpartum depression.

A healthy pregnancy is defined as one that has the mother achieving a healthy pre-pregnancy weight, gaining appropriate weight, exercising and eating a wide variety of foods with an emphasis on vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein and other healthy food choices.

Rozanna

ACHIEVING OPTIMUM NUTRITION

To ensure a healthy pregnancy and easier birth, mothers need a variety of vitamins and minerals, which should come from the food they consume.

These include:

• Iron: Reduces risk of maternal anaemia, low birth weight and premature delivery. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, eggs, fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables and internal organs/offals.

• Folic acid: Prevents foetal brain development problems. Choose fortified breakfast cereals, fresh fruits such as papaya, kiwi, orange, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, legumes, soya bean products and others.

• Calcium: Helps foetal bone growth and decreases the risk of hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Calcium-rich foods include milk and dairy products, soya bean and soya products e.g. tofu, green leafy vegetables, fish with edible bones such as sardines and fortified breakfast cereals.

GIVING BABY THE BEST

Poor nutrition on a mother’s part can directly affect her baby. Complications that may arise include poor growth and development, birth defects, preterm births and poor cognition and behaviour.

To achieve optimal health, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Nutrient-rich mother’s milk is the best food for newborns and young babies. It increases cognitive development and lowers blood pressure, total cholesterol, obesity and the risk of Type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

The benefits of breastfeeding to mothers are numerous as well. Apart from being economical, it decreases the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, osteoporosis and postpartum bleeding while speeding up uterus contractions.

TIME TO WEAN

At six months, baby should start weaning. Start with mashed or pureed food. After six A healthy diet makes a difference. Always include fresh fruit. TOLLYJOY Baby Day 2017 is an annual initiative organised by leading baby and mother care product manufacturer Tollyjoy Corporation.

This year’s theme focuses on providing baby with good, adequate nutrition from day one to enable him or her to reach their full potential.

First launched here in

2015 with non-profit NGO OrphanCARE Foundation, Tollyjoy Baby Day is dedicated to appreciating babies and honouring parents. It emphasises the importance of family, love and care to every child, including the less fortunate. months, gradually include coarse, mashed, grated, minced and finely-chopped foods and encourage soft finger foods such as vegetables and fruit that baby can hold and chew.

Around 9-12 months, slowly complement baby’s diet with soft diced foods. At 12 months and above, baby can join in family meals, which provides a variety of textures and nutrition and allows the amount of food consumed to be gradually increased.

Children less than two years of age need nutrients in higher quantities than adults. To meet changing requirements, your child should have nutritionally adequate and safe, complementary food. To maximise the benefits of breastfeeding, you can continue to breastfeed for up to two years or more.