Pregnancy Nutrition

Eating Well For Your Baby

Congratulations, you are pregnant!  The next nine months are going to be an exciting time, not just for you but for your growing baby!  Think of all the things a baby has to accomplish in only nine (ten) short months.  They start as a single cell and then divide at an enormous rate.  Their organs develop, the heart forms and starts beating and all five senses form.

Basically your baby goes from a little blob that can't be seen with the human eye into a seven, eight, nine or even ten pound adorable newborn baby.  In order for your baby to develop as healthy as possible, your diet should play a big part.  This is because your diet is how your baby is going to receive all the vitamins, minerals, protein and fluids that he or she needs to grow and develop.  The best thing you and any other pregnant mother can do for your growing baby is to eat as healthy as you possibly can.  Let us look at all the benefits eating well can do for your baby.

First, eating right is going to help your baby's organ development.  Your baby only has a short time to develop vital organs such as their heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys.  Eating a diet that lacks vitamin D or calcium can interfere with your baby's bone and tooth growth. 

Next eating too lightly through out pregnancy might stop your baby from growing as it should in your uterus.   You might find yourself measuring behind for where you should be in your pregnancy.  Small babies are at a greater risk for healthy problems once they are born.  On the other hand, eating to much can cause your baby to grow too big to fast.  Babies who are measuring ahead are at a greater risk for delivery complications.  Babies who are too big usually can not be delivered vaginally without the assistance of instruments such as forceps or a vacuum.  Some women are forced to have a cesarean section because they can not deliver their baby vaginally. 

Some research has been done that shows what you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby's eating habits down the line.  Babies can taste and get use to the flavors from food that makes its way into the amniotic fluid.    It is quiet possible that your baby will have a preference for certain foods before they even take that first spoonful of solids.  By making sure your diet contains a lot of vegetables and fruit can help ensure that your baby will enjoy eating that went he time comes. 

Also, as hard to believe as it is, some studies have shown that what you are eating can contribute to your baby's personality.  Research has shown that babies born to mothers who were under-nourished tend to smile less and are drowsier compared to those who at healthy.  Also, studies have shown that moms who consumed enough omega-3 acids during their final trimester have babies who showed healthier sleep patterns than other babies.  

Lastly, your baby's brain needs you to eat healthy especially during the last trimester.  Unlike the rest of your baby's organs, the brain has its greatest growth spurt during the third trimester.  This is the best time to eat protein, calories and omega-3 fatty acids.  These ensure optimum brain development. 

There has never been a more important time to eat healthy than pregnancy.  Eating healthy while pregnant is the best gift you can give your child to be.

Back to Pregnancy Nutrition