Two separate studies have found that pregnant women benefit from consuming 3 or more weekly servings of fish, breastfeeding for longer periods of time and consuming more calcium to help improve a baby’s physical and cognitive development.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and in breast milk are beneficial to infant development.

The findings were taken from a study which monitored pregnant women during 1997 and 2002 and then followed the development of their children. To examine the growth of the newborn babies’, mothers, during research interviews, were asked whether their children at six months could hold their head up, imitate sounds and sit unsupported with a straight back. At 18 months new mums were asked whether if their children could climb up stairs, remove their socks and drink from a cup.

The results proved that children developed better when their mothers ate 3 or more servings of fish when pregnant.

Previously pregnant women have been encouraged to avoid fish because some types contain high traces of mercury, which can lead to toxic effects. However the women surveyed ate fish low in mercury- including salmon, plaice, herring and mackerel with researchers claiming the nutritional benefits of eating fish during pregnancy appeared to outweigh toxicant harm.

The same study claimed women who breastfed their children for long periods of time also improved infant development- especially at 18 months. Those who breastfed for longer periods saw similar results to the children whose mothers ate lots of fish during pregnancy.

In another study by the University of Michigan calcium was also proven to reduce the transfer of lead from the bone to the baby. The research highlights that this can sometimes occur during pregnancy leading to fatal consequences for the unborn baby.
According to the research women who took regular calcium supplements, of up to 1,200 mg a day, reduced lead levels by 31%.

“We and others have previously shown that during pregnancy, mothers can transfer lead from their bones to their unborn with significant adverse consequences,” comments Howard Hu, from the School of Public Health.

“This study demonstrates that dietary calcium supplementation during pregnancy may constitute a low-cost and low-risk approach for reducing this threat,” he says.

For more information on the foods to eat and avoid during pregnancy go to:
Pregnancy Information: Foods To Eat and Avoid During Pregnancy