Your baby’s brain undergoes rapid development very early in life. What you do to promote your little one’s cognitive growth in this period can have a big impact on health, learning, and future success. Specifically, the first thousand days of your baby’s life – which is the period spanning conception to age two – is when much of your baby’s brain development takes place.¹ You can support brain development by engaging your little one in activities that enhance cognitive development.

What happens to a mother’s body during pregnancy?

Hormonal changes mark the start of a pregnancy. Once a fertilized egg implants in the uterus lining, the body will produce hormones that jumpstart a variety of processes, preparing the body for pregnancy.¹

First and foremost, the body has to ensure that nutrients can be delivered to the womb. Estrogen, one of the primary pregnancy hormones, stimulates the uterus to thicken its lining, growing more blood vessels that allow for nutrient transfer.² Once the fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall, this egg (called a zygote) is able to grow into an embryo and, eventually, develop into a fetus, thanks to the absorption of key nutrients and building blocks for growth.³

Nutrient absorption, through the mother’s body, is what supports the pregnancy to term. The mother’s nutrition during pregnancy is integral not just to the development of the fetus in the womb, but also in the delivery of the baby, and for the mum and baby’s health after birth.

Pregnancy Nutrition: Important Nutrients For Mother And Baby

Pregnant mums have increased nutritional requirements. These vitamins and minerals in the right amounts, are vital to staying healthy during pregnancy:⁴

Pregnancy food: Types of food for pregnancy

Food is the primary source of mum’s and baby’s nutrition during pregnancy. It is of utmost importance that expecting mums maintain a healthy, balanced diet, consisting of these major food groups:¹²

Benefits of Maternal Milk for Mothers

Busy, working women may struggle to find fully balanced nutrient dense meals every single day. Using maternal milk as supplements can fill the nutrition gaps across a range of nutrients.

Where a typical daily diet can fall short, supplements like maternal milk can ensure that pregnant mums get the appropriate amount of nutrition during pregnancy. Maternal milk is enriched with the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

When choosing a maternal milk, opt for one that contains DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that improves cardiovascular health, regulates blood pressure, and boosts brain development.

Also, choose low fat maternal milk for it to be an ideal supplement not just during the pregnancy, but during postnatal care and the breastfeeding stages. It helps new mums, manage their weight, and improve their overall wellbeing, whilst making sure their body can provide for their baby’s nutritional needs.

REFERENCES:
¹ How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs – University of Michigan Health. Accessed December 22, 2021.
² The 6 Pregnancy Hormones Expectant Mothers Need to Know About – NTD Genetics. Accessed December 22, 2021.
³ 0 to 8 weeks pregnant – Our Health Service. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁴ Nutrition During Pregnancy – American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁵ Calcium Supplementation for Preventing Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy – AAFP.org. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁶ Vitamins and other nutrients during pregnancy – March of Dimes. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁷ Higher Maternal Choline Levels in Pregnancy Had Protective Role in Infant Brain Development – Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁸ Vitamin A – NHS. Accessed December 22, 2021.
⁹ How Much Vitamin C Do You Need During Pregnancy? – What To Expect. Accessed December 22, 2021.
¹⁰ Vitamins, supplements, and nutrition in pregnancy – NHS. Accessed December 22, 2021.
¹¹ Natural Sources of Vitamin B During Pregnancy – American Pregnancy. Accessed December 22, 2021.
¹² Roles of Vitamin B in Pregnancy – American Pregnancy. Accessed December 22, 2021.
¹³ Have a healthy diet in pregnancy – NHS. Accessed December 22, 2021.
¹⁹ Plan your meals with My Healthy Plate. Accessed January 26, 2022.

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