Nursing Mothers

What you eat…your baby eats.  If you eat healthy your baby should be healthy. And if you’re pregnant and take 400 mg of fish oil as a supplement you could give birth to a healthier than normal baby an Emory University Study suggests. The study which appears in Pediatrics contends that Omega 3 fatty acids can help keep a baby from getting sick during infancy.  NursingMothers believes that a supplement that will help an infant avoid illness should be part of any healthy pregnancy diet.

Nordic Naturals DHA, 500mg, Soft Gels, Strawberry

About 1100 pregnant women took part in the test.  Some were given placebos and some given 400 mg of DHA or Docosahexaenoic Acid.  Women were given the supplements starting at about 18 weeks and ending at childbirth.

The babies of mothers who took fish oil supplements had fewer colds and shorter illnesses until they were about 6 months old. Infants one month old were 25% less likely to get sick than women who did not take DHA. Researches had earlier found that use of DHA during pregnancy helped make the babies a little taller and heavier at 18 months old.  The study shows that a good diet during pregnancy means the world to an infant’s development.  So when you’re eating during pregnancy it may be a good idea to include a fish oil capsule.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Tuna and salmon are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids, but due to possible heavy metal content are on the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy.

The study by Emory  is titled “Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial” and can be viewed at Pediatrics.com.