Why pregnant and lactating mothers must drink milk

 

 Mothers give their babies milk, but mothers also need to drink milk. Milk is as good for mothers as it is for babies. Every woman should drink milk, when planning to get pregnant, as preparation; during pregnancy; and while breastfeeding.....



Medical experts actually say one of the ways a mother can optimize her baby's health is to drink milk before and during pregnancy. According to Dr. Katherine Dettwyler, a breastfeeding researcher and anthropologist, women make ample amounts of quality milk while drinking lots of milk themselves in addition to eating diets composed almost entirely of rice (or millet or sorghum) with a tiny amount of vegetables and occasional meat.
"Healthy eating habits are recommended for mothers. Such women will be healthier and feel better if they eat well and also be enabled to provide quality milk or for maintaining milk supply so that her milk would meet her baby's needs," she argued.
Experts usually recommend diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics.  Prebiotics are food for good bacteria that help them grow. Such diet includes a strong fibre base that increases the solubility of calcium to help its absorption. Probiotics, on the other hand, are good bacteria that grow in the gut and help fight against harmful bacteria.
Renowned Clinical Chemist, Professor Frits Muskiet, said fetal growth and development are influenced by the nutritional and health status of the mother in the period before she conceives and her state of health at the of conception. Muskiet, who practices laboratory medicine at the University Medical Centre Griningen in the Netherlands, and has authored about 240 PubMed registered publications, was key speaker at the 8th Olu Akinkugbe WAMCO Nutrition Seminar with the theme: "Optimising Baby's Development through Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy".
At the event, FrisoMum Gold, the milk drink specially formulated for pregnant and lactating mothers was officially launched. Muskiet urged Nigerian women and mothers to ensure they are properly nourished.
The product which is the first maternal milk supplement that provides vital nutrients while promoting healthy digestion through its PrePro System, is an an advanced formula of prebiotics and probiotics.
Associate Professor/Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist, LASUTH/LASUCOM, Professor Adetokunbo Fabanwo explained that a woman's pre-pregnancy nutrition affects intrauterine growth and birth weight.  "A well-balanced diet would ordinarily provide the dietary requirements of pregnant and lactating women minus iron and folate. Lack of knowledge of pre-pregnancy nutrition status of women makes a strong case for micro-nutrient supplementation in pregnancy and during lactation."
FrieslandCampina WAMCO Managing Director Peter Eshikena said it had become increasingly difficult to meet daily nutritional requirements during pregnancy. "This gap informed introduction of Frisomum Gold, a nutritional supplement with essential nutrients, specially formulated for pregnant and breastfeeding women."
The product contains DHA and AA for a child's early brain development.and supports improved constipation from breast milk. Just two glasses a day covers 90 percent folic acid recommendations. There is no need to take pre-natal vitamins since FrisoMum is packed with important nutrients which the body needs. It is the first step to a  woman's new beginning, she noted.