WHY IS PROPER NUTRITION IMPORTANT FOR MOTHERS?

The bond between a mother and child is unbreakable, and one of the most crucial ways we nurture that bond is through nutrition. From the moment of conception to childhood and beyond, the food we eat has a profound impact on our health, happiness, and well-being. As a mother, you want the best for your child, and that starts with the nutrients you provide. But in a world of conflicting dietary advice and ever-changing nutrition trends, it's hard to know the impact of nutrition as a mother and adequately feeding your infant. 

In this article, we will explore the essential nutrients and healthy habits that support the unique needs of mothers and children. 

Read closely to understand every single piece of information in this post to plan, begin and support a healthful practice with your children.

WHAT'S NUTRITION FOR WOMEN?

          A woman’s nutrition is critical to herself and to her children. When a woman is undernourished, she is more prone to illness, is less able to work or care for herself and her family, and is less likely to have a healthy pregnancy or survive childbirth. However, a healthy generation to another generation (cycle of reproduction) begins from mindful nutrition to escape different forms of deficiency that pass on to another.

Poor maternal nutrition, maternal infections, pregnancy at a young age, and short intervals between subsequent births are all risk factors for small gestational age (newborns that weigh less than 90% newborns of the same gestational age at birth). Additionally, shorter, thinner women are more likely to give birth to small gestational age infants.

          A healthy pregnancy requires a diet that includes an adequate and balanced intake of energy, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals to meet maternal and fetal needs. However, for many pregnant women, dietary intake of vegetables, meat, dairy products, and fruit is often insufficient to meet these needs. In much of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, undernourished women is a key determinant of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, obesity and overweight, as well as excessive weight gain during pregnancy, are also associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, hence, it is recommended to seek medical support, especially a Nutritionist/Dietitian during reproductive and antenatal care about healthy eating and physical activity to promote healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

GOOD NUTRITION AND CONCEPT

          Good nutrition requires more than just food; care, health, and hygiene also influence nutrition outcomes. 

The process of providing foods in addition to milk when breast milk or milk formula alone are no longer adequate to meet nutritional requirements, generally starts at age 6 months and continues until 23 months of age, although breastfeeding may continue beyond this period.

BREAST MILK AND BREASTFEEDING RELATIONSHIP

Breast milk is a liquid gold that provides all the energy and nutrients that an infant needs for the first months of life. It is a primary source of nutrition for infants before they can digest solid foods. Breast milk provides all the vitamins; minerals; enzymes; macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats); water; and antibodies that children need to thrive in their first six months. Any need for other nutrition apart from breast milk requires a health practitioner's awareness and guidance.

Breastfeeding is the act of feeding a baby or young child milk from a woman's breast. It is natural and provides numerous health benefits for both the mother and baby. While breast milk and breastfeeding share a bond, it is important to ensure ethical cleanliness during feeding.

It is as well recommended that mothers with Human immunodeficiency virus exclusively breastfeed for six months followed by complementary feeding and continue breastfeeding (CBF) for up to one year, under the cover of antiretroviral treatment (ART) to either the mother or the infant.

Breast milk protects the child from illness and diarrhea, while breastfeeding promotes intellectual and motor development, bonding, and psychosocial stimulation.

Conditions needed to ensure safe formula feeding are rare in low- and middle-income countries. Consequently, studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus-free survival is higher among breastfeeding infants born to mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus, compared to those who are formula-fed.

Exclusive breastfeeding an infants for the first six months of life is one of the most effective of all child health nutrition interventions. Children under six months that are partially breastfed are five times greater risk of dying from diarrhea and three times most likely to die from other cause, compared to exclusively breastfed children. Early initiation of breastfeeding improves mother's health, reducing postpartum bleeding, help expel placenta, protecting against breast and ovarian cancer, and as well diabetes.

Wondering about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle before, during and after pregnancy or have further questions, send a message to our email.

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