PREGNANCY AND

BREAST FEEDING
(LACTATION)
BY THEA SIMMONS
 IN THIS POWER POINT YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO:
▪ Discuss the importance of the nutrients necessary for optimum health of a pregnant mother.
▪ Discuss the importance of the nutrients necessary for optimum health of a growing foetus.
▪ List at least 8 vital nutrients needed by a pregnant mother.
▪ . State 3 sources of each vital nutrient
▪ Briefly explain how a foetus gains nutrition for growth and development in the womb.
▪ Plan a basic meal for a pregnant woman.
▪ Differentiate between breast milk and colostrum.
▪ Briefly discuss the nutrition needed by a breast feeding mother
▪ Define breast feeding related terms.
▪ Discuss the benefits of breast feeding.
 WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

▪ There are many stages in life. By now we should all

understand how life begins. After sexual intercourse (in
most cases), a man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. As
time goes by, an embryo forms into a foetus and a baby
forms. The baby grows and develops in the woman’s
uterus until the time is right to come out. During this
process while in the uterus it is important that the
woman carrying the baby is mindful of what she eats,
providing sufficient nutrients for her and her baby.
 WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

▪ Breastmilk is the BEST baby food available. It has many

nutrients and anti bodies to keep the baby healthy,
protected and satisfied. Unfortunately some new
mothers may experience challenges with breast milk
and may not be able to produce or feed their baby.
Mothers who produce milk must have a proper diet to
ensure the best quality of milk for her growing baby.
PREGNANCY
 HOW DOES THE BABY DEVELOP?
▪ A pregnant woman must eat a balanced meal particularly rich in
certain nutrients. (to be discussed later)
▪ Nutrients are carried through the mother’s bloodstream,
absorbed by the PLACENTA and transported to the baby’s
bloodstream through the UMBILICAL CORD.
▪ A baby does not eat through the mouth but nutrients are
absorbed through their bloodstream for growth and
development.
PLACENTA AND UMBILICAL CORD

Placenta is attached to mother,

absorbing her nutrients to transfer
to baby

Umbilical cord transports nutrients

from placenta to baby’s blood stream
 Remember the
baby is separated
by cutting the
umbilical cord.
Usually, the
placenta is passed
out after the baby
is out.

This picture shows the

umbilical cord and
placenta.
 NUTRITION OF A PREGNANT MOTHER
(PRE-NATAL)
▪ Generally a pregnant woman must eat a balanced meal with all the food groups and
nutrients. She should also stay away from alcohol, smoking and elicit drugs. She
should not take any medication that is not prescribed by a medical doctor.
▪ Most pregnant women drink a daily supplement commonly known as PRE NATAL
vitamins. These supplements contain all the micro- nutrients that a pregnant mother
needs.
▪ There are a few nutrients that are of more importance than others since they are
vital for the baby’s development and maintenance of the mother.
▪ PS. When a woman is pregnant she does not have to eat larger
amounts of food but her nutrient intake must be richer and more
precise to cater to the baby’s needs.
 WHAT NUTRIENTS SHOULD MOMMY
EAT MORE AND WHY?
Nutrient Function to mother and baby Rich food
Sources
Protein Growth of the foetus/ baby, development of organs. Meats, fish, poultry, eggs,
Replacement and maintenance of mother’s cells and legumes and whole grains
provision of energy
Iron Helps with production of blood cells for foetus/ baby and a Dark green leafy
reserved supply for mother to replace blood loss during vegetables, beets, liver
delivery
Calcium and For the development of the skeleton of the foetus/baby and Dairy, oily soft boned fish,
to keep the mother’s bones and skeletal structure strong to almonds, dark green leafy
Vitamin D carry the weight of the baby. vegetables
Folate/Folic For the development of the brain and nervous system of the Legumes, eggs, citrus,
foetus/ baby. leafy greens, fortified
acid breads and pastas
Vitamin B12/ Contributes to the maintenance of the foetus’/ baby’s Eggs, milk, salmon, beef,
nervous system and decreases the risk of birth defects and pork, chicken, liver, some
Cobalamin
 WHAT NUTRIENTS SHOULD MOMMY EAT
MORE AND WHY?
Nutrient Function to mother and baby Rich food sources
Vitamin K Vitamin K is responsible for clotting blood to prevent Kale, collard greens, grapes,
heavy bleeding without clotting (haemorrhaging) asparagus, Brussel sprouts
Most babies are given Vitamin K after birth either
orally or by injection
Vitamin C For the absorption of iron by the mother as well as to Kiwi, cherries, citrus fruit,
help immune system to decrease the risk of catching broccoli, guava
infections and viruses that could worsen and cause a
strain on mother’s body.
Essential fatty For the growth of the brain and retina (eye sight) Fish oils (oily fish). Olive oil,
walnuts, flaxseed, kidney
acids beans
(Omega 3)
Fibre Fiber helps in regulating blood sugar as well as Whole grains, fruit with skins
regular bowel movement. It is important that
constipation does not occur so that there is no extra
strain on the mother.
MEALS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
 NUTRITION AFTER BIRTH
(POST- NATAL)
▪ After giving birth, a mother must eat a protein and iron rich diet
to replace the cells and blood lost during delivery. High protein
diet also helps in repairing any bruises sustained during the
birthing process.
▪ Generally it is important to eat
balanced meals and drink
PLENTY WATER to help with
the production of breast milk
 BREAST
FEEDING OR
LACTATION
 CHARACTERISTICS OF BREASTMILK
WHY IS BREAST MILK BEST FOR BABY?
▪ Consistency and temperature is perfectly suitable for baby’s
sensitive body and digestive system.
▪ Breast milk consists of many anti bodies that provide immunity
to certain diseases and infections.
▪ Milk straight from the breast is sterile and does not contain any
bacteria since it hasn’t come into contact with air. Hence,
decreasing the chance of the baby picking up gastric infections.
▪ It is easily absorbed and satisfies the baby giving a feeling of
fullness.
 BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

▪ It provides adequate amounts of nutrients for baby to grow normally.

▪ A strong bond is formed between mother and baby because of constant
closeness.
▪ Very convenient- no preparation is needed, it is readily available and
milk is naturally produced with correct nutrients and suitable temperature.
▪ The action of sucking by the baby benefits both baby and mother. The
baby’s body releases hormones that aid in the development of the
intestinal tract. The mother’s body also releases hormones that help
the reproductive organs of the mother return to it’s pre- pregnant state.
Colostrum is the Breast milk
first secretion contains a lot of
from the water and is rich in
mammary glands fat, carbohydrates,
after giving birth. protein, vitamins
It is very rich in and minerals. It also
protein and contains
antibodies which antibodies.
promotes enzymes and
development, substances that
immunity, fights help the baby’s
infection and immune system.
improve baby’s Breast milk
health. This is the becomes available
first liquid (food) when colostrum
which enters a has finished.
baby’s mouth The action of the
after birth. It is baby sucking
usually off white encourages the free
to yellow in flow of milk
colour. production.
 BREASTFEEDING AND FOOD

▪ Breast milk absorbs nutrients and other compounds from

anything a mother ingests or consumes. Therefore a
breastfeeding mother MUST NOT drink ALCOHOL and should
not smoke or do drugs.

▪ There are also some foods which can cause the baby to have
stomach pains, a lot of flatulence (a.k.a.gas or colic) ,acid reflux
and digestive issues. These foods include: cabbage, garlic, red
beans, broccoli, highly acidic foods and spicy foods
 TERMS RELATED TO BABY FEEDING
Exclusive breast feeding

Colostrum
Bottle feeding
Replacement feeding
Complementary feeding
Weaning
 Exclusive breast feeding as the name implies in the feeding of
infants ONLY breast milk. It is recommended that mothers practice exclusive breast
feeding for the first six months of their baby’s life.

Please note that breast milk can be expressed using a breast pump, stored and
warmed in a bottle to be bottle fed. It does not only apply to actual sucking of the
breast.
Replacement feeding
is the process of feeding a child
who is not receiving breast milk
with a SUBSTITUTE that provides
the same nutrients of breast milk
The baby is
usually given
some type of
baby formula .
Some formulas
are dairy based
(cow’s milk) but
there are also
other plant
based options
such as soy,
which can be
used as a
vegetarian
option or for
babies with
allergies
Bottle feeding is feeding a baby
using a bottle. The bottle could
contain expressed breast milk or
baby formula and as the baby ages,
fruit juices and water. Bottle
feeding is sometimes necessary
especially when the mother is not
available or sometimes babies
prefer the feel of the artificial
nipple (teat). It is important to keep
baby bottles very clean and sterilize
after every use.
 Complementary feeding or
Weaning
This refers to the gradual introduction of solid
food into a baby’s diet. Breast milk is still part
of the baby’s diet but light cereals (oats,
wheat, rice) and pureed foods ( mainly fruit,
vegetables and legumes) are introduced.
 Some examples of
complementary foods:
Foods should Loose porridge, soft crackers
be as natural or cookies, pureed starches
as possible. fruit vegetables or peas and
Not too beans
sweet or
salty and no
preservatives
and artificial
colouring
 As babies grow
older and their
digestive systems
are stronger, they
can eat from
family meals-
foodcut into small
pieces, easy too
eat, not too
sweet, salty, spicy
or crunchy.
Eventually, they will
be old enough
where breast milk is
no longer necessary.
 Questions and Thoughts
I must study this
Why should a breast I think I should try and read the
feeding mother not to plan a meal for chapter in my
eat spicy food and a pregnant green text book
drink alcohol? mother.

Why can’t a
baby be fed
spaghetti
and meat
How Does a balls at 2
What is the
does the pregnant difference months?
baby mother have between
get food to eat double colostrum and
in the portions breast milk?
mothers What nutrients does a
since she’s
belly? pregnant woman need more
eating for of? Why?
two?