Maternal & Infant Nutrition

• A well-balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of all the nutrients needed by a mother and her growing foetus (including sufficient iron, calcium and folate) is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
• All women of child-bearing age who may become pregnant are advised to take daily supplements of folic acid, as this can help to reduce the risk of the baby suffering from a neural tube defect (women with a history of this condition may be advised to take a higher dose supplement).  Pregnant women should avoid supplements containing vitamin A.
• Pregnant women should ensure that their intake of alcohol and caffeine does not exceed current recommendations and minimise their risk of suffering from food poisoning (e.g. by strict use of good food hygiene practices and avoidance of ‘high risk’ foods).  Avoidance of shark, swordfish and marlin and the consumption of no more than 2 portions of oily fish per week is advised because of the levels of potential contaminants in these fish.
• Staying physically active during pregnancy is important to promote general health and well-being.
• Breast-feeding is the best method of feeding for babies. A varied diet is important whilst breast-feeding to ensure a sufficient intake of all nutrients needed by both the mother and the baby.  Breast-feeding mums are also advised to take supplements containing 10µg of vitamin D each day.
• By 6 months of age breast or formula milk will be insufficient to meet a baby’s nutrient needs and the process of weaning onto a solid diet should begin.  
• Non-wheat cereals, fruit, vegetables and potatoes are suitable first weaning foods. Salt should not be added to any foods for babies.  Between 6 and 9 months the amount and variety of foods should be increased to include meat, fish, eggs, all cereals and pulses.
• From the age of 6 months, infants receiving breast milk as their main drink should be given supplements of vitamins A, C and D.

A varied diet containing adequate amounts of energy and nutrients is essential both before a woman becomes pregnant (conceives), during pregnancy and if she breast-feeds (lactation). The mother’s diet influences the health of the baby in the short-term and perhaps even in the long-term.