Pregnancy is an important milestone not just for moms, but for the whole family, too. It can mean the birth of a first child or a new sibling—another person for you to love and cherish.
Beyond the gift of life, pregnancy in itself is a fascinating process where new life grows within you. From seeing your baby for the first time through the ultrasound to feeling his or her first kick, watching and feeling the growth and development of your baby is a holistic journey—one that starts with ensuring your baby’s health and well-being.
Proper Food and Nutrition
Just as we all need the proper food to survive, you need to remember that this time, you’re eating for two: both for yourself and for your baby. Thus, having a balanced diet and taking pre-natal vitamins for is essential for both you and your baby’s health and well-being. Because yes, this time around, your nutrient need increases, since you’ll need enough for your little one as well.
This includes eating and drinking a variety of food to get the nutrients you need—from 6 to 11 servings of bread and grains to 2 to 4 servings of fruit, 4 or more servings of vegetables, 3 servings of protein (meat, poultry, eggs, or nuts), and even 4 servings of dairy. And yes, this includes milk.
Benefits of Milk During Pregnancy
The same way babies are nourished with milk from their mother, you too need milk to sustain you and your baby during your pregnancy. A healthy drink that helps with proper growth and development, milk comes with a variety of nutrients like calcium.
Some of these benefits include:
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- Calcium: milk is known for being a good source of calcium, which is essential during pregnancy, since it ensures that you and your baby will have strong and healthy bones and teeth. Additionally, calcium is important for your baby’s development, particularly for his or her heart, muscles, and nerves. In turn, you’ll need calcium to lower your risk of getting osteoporosis and to prevent bone loss later in life.
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- Vitamins B and D: milk is rich in vitamins B and D, which your baby needs to grow healthy and strong. Milk contains a good amount of B vitamins, riboflavin, folates, and Vitamin B12, which reduces the risk of birth defects and helps in producing red blood cells. On the other hand, Vitamin D works hand in hand with calcium, since it helps you absorb the mineral better. Plus, it helps keep you and your baby’s immune system healthy and contributes to a healthy birth weight. Since you can’t get Vitamin D in a lot of food, you’re better off getting that from milk that is fortified with enough Vitamin D for your needs.
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- Proteins: an essential nutrient for every person, proteins are especially important in a baby’s growth and development—particularly in building healthy new cells. This is important in the second and third trimester since that’s when most of the development happens. Since the kind of protein that you take in is especially important, it’s good to note that the protein found in milk is considered as a complete protein. This means that it has all the amino acids you need to function. This helps in the baby’s brain development. Plus, it’s easily absorbable and digestible, which means that you and your baby get to use all the protein that’s being taken in.
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- Lower Heartburn: during your pregnancy, you may experience heartburn. Instead of taking antacids or other medication without your doctor’s advice, you can help relieve the symptoms with milk or yogurt. They’re alkaline food that can neutralize the stomach acids in your body and help lower acidity. Plus, yogurt is a good source of probiotics, which is very good for your digestive health.
What Kind of Milk Should You Drink?
There are many different kinds of milk available in the market, like plant-based or milk from animals. Each one has its own set of benefits and corresponding flavor profile, which is why we’ve listed some of the common variants you can choose from:
- Cow’s Milk: abundantly available and consumed by kids and adults alike. It’s rich in calcium and vitamins A, D, and E. The proteins and amino acids in cow’s milk help build cells for both you and your baby. Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system, while Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that protect you both from diseases. On the other hand, Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium better.
- Goat’s Milk: a highly nutritious milk, though not a popular choice among people because of its distinct, fatty taste. It’s rich in protein and Vitamin B2. The healthy dietary fats in goat’s milk help lower cholesterol levels and aid in digestion, along with speeding up the metabolic process.
- Soy Milk: a non-dairy alternative for vegans and lactose-intolerant people. It’s made from soybeans, making it rich in calcium and contains heart-healthy fat. It’s cholesterol-free and rich in antioxidants that help fight cancer and boost immunity.
- Almond Milk: a non-dairy milk for vegans and lactose-intolerant people. It has a distinct nutty taste and a thin consistency. Almond milk is rich in folic acid, Vitamin B, and E, as well as calcium and iron. It also has fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. Plus, it’s low in calories and saturated fat.
- Milk Powder: instant formula made from natural pasteurized milk. It has the same nutritional content as cow’s milk, such as calcium and vitamins. But Enfamama A+, in particular, contains the following:
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- Folic Acid: prevents fetal neural tube defect
- Iron: enhanced levels support the formation of red blood cells in pregnant women
- Calcium: helps strengthen bones and teeth.
- Zinc: helps the central nervous system develop and function
- Choline: supports cognitive function, with 560mg/ 100g of Choline
- Iodine: helps thyroid hormones function normally
Do You Need Milk?
The answer? Yes! Milk gives you and your baby your much-needed nutritional benefits. That way, you both grow healthy and strong.
Enfamama A+ is available in leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide. You can also have Enfamama A+ delivered through Shopee or Lazada. For more details, visit their social media pages on Facebook or on their website.
References:
- www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant#1
- www.tinystep.in/blog/6-benefits-of-drinking-milk-during-pregnancy-xyz
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128098684000157
- www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/b-vitamins#:~:text=Your%20folic%20acid%20needs%20will,to%20produce%20red%20blood%20cells.
- www.hellomotherhood.com/article/528069-the-advantages-of-drinking-milk-during-pregnancy/
- Ibid.
- parenting.firstcry.com/articles/drinking-milk-during-pregnancy-is-it-good-for-you/
- www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-milk
- parenting.firstcry.com/articles/drinking-milk-during-pregnancy-is-it-good-for-you/
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