Breast milk is best for your baby

Breast milk is best for babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. At around six months of age (but not before 4 months), infants should receive nutritionally adequate and age-appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.

Abbott Singapore fully recognises breast milk’s primacy, value and superiority and supports exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the WHO.

The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. The HPB recommends that infants start on age-appropriate complementary foods at around 6 months, whilst continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond to meet their evolving nutritional requirements. If no longer breastfeeding, toddlers can switch to full cream milk after 12 months. This should be complemented by a good variety of solid foods from the four main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and alternatives). For more information on the nutritional requirements of infants and young children, please visit www.healthhub.sg/earlynutrition.

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Maternal Nutrition

SUPERFOODS

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Superfoods

There are good foods to eat, and then there are superfoods. Learn which superfoods you should eat throughout your pregnancy to benefit both you and your unborn baby.

13 Pregnancy Superfoods

Nutrition plays a key role in the development of your unborn baby’s organs, bones, and brain, and in your personal health as a mum-to-be. So it’s important to make every bite count. While almost any natural or unprocessed food is a healthy addition to your diet, some foods are virtual powerhouses or ‘superfoods’, packing amazing amounts of nutrients into just a few bites.

Superfoods for Pregnancy

Healthcare Professionals and nutritionists both have their own list of superfoods. Here are 13 power-packed favourites to put on your shopping list:
  1. Broccoli — One of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the planet, broccoli is high in folate, calcium, vitamins, beta-carotene, potassium, iron, magnesium, and fibre. Broccoli also contains lutein, an important nutrient for eye health.
  2. Berries — From blueberries to strawberries, berries provide antioxidants, carbohydrates, and vitamin C to help the absorption of iron, potassium, folate, fibre and fluids.
  3. Beans or legumes — Chickpeas, kidney beans, soybeans and other legumes provide a good strong source of soluble fibre. One cup of kidney beans can boost your dietary iron, protein, potassium, and thiamin.
  4. Spinach and other leafy greens — Spinach, turnips and other greens provide folate, vitamins C and A, iron, and lutein. One cup of cooked spinach also boosts your zinc intake by almost 2 mg.
  5. Whole grains and oatmeal — The whole grains in brown or wild rice, steel cut or rolled oats, and other grain choices are fortified with iron and packed with fibre and complex carbohydrates. They are also fortified with folic acid. Oatmeal helps lower LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol and helps moderate blood sugar levels.
  6. Skim milk — This is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus providing several vitamins you and your unborn baby need, as well as protein and vitamins A and B.
  7. Low-fat yoghurt — With calcium levels comparable to milk, yoghurt not only provides protein, calcium, and vitamin D but also has active cultures that can help your digestive system stay healthy.
  8. Salmon and other fish — Salmon is one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help with the development of vision and brain function in your unborn baby. Other fish choices that are low in mercury are trout and cod.
  9. Lean meat — Lean cuts of red meat are the best source of readily available iron. The protein in meat helps your body repair and replace muscle tissue. Red meat also contains vitamins B6, B12 and zinc.
  10. DHA-enriched eggs — Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein. In addition, eggs that are also high in Omega-3 fatty acids are available. Farmers can feed hens a high Omega-3 diet, and the nutrients are passed on to the eggs. DHA Omega-3 fatty acids are good for foetal brain and visual development.
  11. Almonds and other nuts — Almonds are loaded with important minerals, vitamin E, and fibre. Walnuts offer brain-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids — the good fats. Because nuts are high in fat and calories they should be eaten in moderation.
  12. Papaya, mango, and other tropical fruits — These fruits are good sources of vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, and potassium.
  13. Water — Your blood volume doubles during pregnancy, so drinking enough water during this time is even more important. You should be drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day during pregnancy.

The pregnancy superfood list doesn't necessarily end here: Tofu, tomatoes, kiwi, cranberries, avocados, sweet potatoes, and even dark chocolate (in moderation) are superfoods. No matter what your food choices, be sure to include those rich in folate, Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, protein, vitamin C, and iron to support your unborn baby's development and for your health.

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Healthy confinement recipe 2:
Pan seared coral trout with papaya milk broth

Credit: Gleneagles Singapore and Chef Catan Tan, Gleneagles Hospital Singapore

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