2023-08-09 09:13:54
The new episode of the podcast “Sustainable Food” explains how infant feeding should be before, during and after pregnancy, with special emphasis on the first thousand days.
How does the nutrition of the pregnant woman influence the health of the baby? What is the best option to feed a newborn? What do experts advise to improve infant feeding during lactation?
Laura González, Head of Nutrition, Health and Well-being at Nestlé Spain and Marisa Vidal, Scientific Director of Infant Nutrition at Nestlé Spain, respond to these and other questions about infant nutrition.
Concern about infant feeding
“Everything involved in welcoming a baby is a challenge for families, and precisely for this reason, the arrival of a new member of the family is accompanied by a briefcase full of doubts and the desire to know more,” says the nutritionist Laura González.
For her part, the expert Marisa Vidal affirms that food is one of the issues that most worries parents.
“It is very common that feeding the smallest of the house is one of the priorities, if not the most,” he considers.
According to specialists, during the first thousand days, from pregnancy to the baby’s two years of life, can affect and influence future health of the kids. This is possible, according to Marisa Vidal, through a correct and balanced diet, since it contributes to prevent the appearance of diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular diseases.
Diet during pregnancy
“It is important to follow the recommendations of a trusted gynecologist before and during pregnancy,” says Laura González.
cover the basic nutrient needs such as calcium, phosphorus or iron is very important, but the nutritionist points out that it is also fundamental avoid eating foods that are dangerous or unsafe for the development of the baby due to the danger of contracting diseases such as listeriaa serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with a bacterium.
Raw meat or fish such as sushi or unwashed fruits and vegetables are some examples of foods that should be avoid during pregnancy.
“I would also add the importance of taking care of the hygiene with which we handle food or that of the kitchen itself,” explains Marisa Vidal.
“Pregnant women and their partners should be reminded that when they are preparing food, they pay special attention to hand washing and hygiene practices,” says Vidal.
According to the experts, the ideal is to bet on quality food that cover the most important nutrients for the development of the baby, such as folic acida vitamin that helps prevent malformations and abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord.
Some foods rich in this nutrient would be green leafy vegetables like lettuce or spinach, legumes or oranges.
Marisa Vidal adds to the ideal diet during pregnancy a quality prosthetic supply. Proteins are important for the creation of the baby’s organs and tissues. Highlight foods such as soy, meat or fish.
Other nutrients that specialists consider important are zinc, important for the baby’s immune system, or DHA, an omega 3 that is involved in brain and visual development.
A woman breastfeeds her baby. EFE
The best nutrition for the newborn
“Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is the best food for a newborn, since it provides the necessary nutrients for its correct development and protects it from diseases,” says Marisa Vidal.
Breast milk gradually adapts to the age of the baby.
“The milk of a boy’s mother is different from the milk of a girl’s mother, because it has more energy content,” explains the specialist in Nestlé.
The taste of breast milk it also varies in each mother and in each moment. The professional explains that the foods that are part of mother’s feedinginfluence the flavor and nutritional richness of milk.
“The lactating mother who eats more fish will offer her child a greater contribution of fatty acids and omega 3 beneficial for brain development. Also, she is educating in flavors. On the other hand, the spices that are used when cooking or some drinks influence the flavor changes of the milk”, explains Vidal.
“The richer the mother’s diet, the easier it will be for the baby to accept a greater amount of food and maintain a preference for quality products in his life,” adds Laura González.
For those mothers who cannot provide breast milk to their babies, experts advise the starter milkfrom birth to 6 months; of continuation from 6 months; of growth when they are small children or those special for intolerant to lactose or for premature babies.
mother’s emotional health
A worldwide study promoted by Nestlé revealed that the 25% of women have suffered at some point the call baby blues or postnatal blues, a brief depression after the birth of your baby.
The percentage in Spain is higher, even reaching 37%.
44% of those surveyed in Spain for this study affirmed not having received help to overcome ita figure that is even 20 points above of the percentage obtained globally.
“In Spain the baby blues It is an important fact and we must do more to make it visible”, concludes Marisa Vidal.
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