A mother’s diet whilst pregnant and breastfeeding is very important for the long term health of her child. We always say “you are what you eat”. In fact, it may also be true that you are what your mother ate....CONTINUE READING
Research shows that diet can affect the health of the baby and can also influence a baby’s health into adulthood. Mothers who eat an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may be putting their children at risk of developing long term, irreversible health issues including obesity, raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.
Where Does The Baby Get Food From?
When you’re pregnant, what you eat and drink is the main source of nourishment for your baby. In fact, the link between what you consume and the health of your baby is much stronger than you can imagine.
Babies start absorbing nutrients from their mothers about three to five days after conception. That’s when the fertilized egg meets its energy needs with nutrients secreted from the mother’s endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus).
That means that from the very beginning, your baby is getting all his nutrition from you. His own digestive system won’t take over until he’s born and starts consuming (and pooping) breast milk or formula.
How Does The Food Reach The Baby?
You may already know that the placenta plays an important role in this matter. Yet, how is food transferred from the mother to the baby?
Well, the baby is attached to the mom by its umbilical cord and the placenta growing in mom’s uterus. So, whatever you eat, including protein molecules, glucose, fat, vitamins and other various nutrients, will be absorbed into your bloodstream from the small intestine.
This nutrient-rich blood will then travel to the placenta. Blood vessels in the umbilical cord pass the nutrients from the placenta to vessels that flow from the umbilical cord to the baby.
At this point, your baby will begin to gain weight more quickly. The umbilical cord also returns waste products from your baby to the placenta and into your circulation for elimination.
How Fast Does Food Reach Your Baby?
It depends on how quickly the food is digested and enters your bloodstream. Some foods may take several hours, while substances like caffeine can enter your bloodstream and cross the placenta in a very short time.
Does Everything You Eat Go Into Your Baby?
Along with all the good things that are transferred to your baby, some harmful ones can cross the placenta too. These include alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs as well as some medications. Use caution when taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications during pregnancy because most cross the placenta.
In conclusion, during pregnancy, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and give your baby all the nutrients he or she needs to grow and develop.
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