A Healthy Future For Your Baby Begins In The Womb

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A healthy future for your baby begins in the womb.
Living and eating healthy for the future of your child.

Your own body, shaped by nutrition and lifestyle, is important as it affects the health of your offspring. The pre-natal and early developmental phases of life can influence the onset of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and obesity in your child’s later years. It is hence important that all mothers-to-be incorporate healthy eating and lifestyle practices prior to, during and after pregnancy to ensure the best outcomes for the baby and child after birth and throughout the lifespan. Learn more how you can have a healthier pregnancy.

Eat well for you and your baby

You are the only source of nutrition for your baby. Eat well and nourish yourself for a healthy baby.

• Maintain a healthy weight before conception. During pregnancy, achieve a healthy weight gain to support the baby’s growth and development. Use the Healthy Diet Pyramid as a guide to a balanced and nutritious diet. Consult your doctor on your food intake.

• Include nutrient-dense food to meet the increased need for all nutrients, especially protein, essential fats, B-vitamins, calcium and iron. This will help to ensure that you and your baby will have all the necessary nutrients needed for your baby’s growth and development.

• Before pregnancy and during the first trimester, ensure adequate intake of folate – Rich sources of folate such as green leafy vegetables and lentils aid the cells in your body as they divide rapidly to help form a baby and build your tissues to support new life.

• Eat only clean and safe food. Avoid alcohol, raw food, fish high in mercury content and excessive vitamin A. Limit the intake of caffeine too.

• Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely no need to eat for two persons.

What’s harmful to you is harmful to your baby

Smoking and drinking when you are pregnant puts your offspring at risk. If you do smoke or drink, there is no better time to quit than now.

• Consuming alcohol during your pregnancy can affect the development of your baby’s brain and cause physical and mental abnormalities which are irreversible. Keep off the booze so your child stays healthy.

• A smoke-free lifestyle is important for you and your baby. Stay away from cigarettes to reduce pregnancy complications like miscarriage, complications, premature birth and stillbirth.

• Stay positive as extreme stress can potentially trigger a miscarriage or premature birth.

Start off on the right ‘food’ because a healthy future for your baby begins with you today.

Click here to find out more – http://www.hpb.gov.sg/pregnancyparenting/

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