Nutrition Recommendations in Choosing Pregnant Mother's Milk

Pregnant women need a number of nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, and iodine. These nutrients can be obtained from the milk of pregnant women sold on the market. In addition to paying attention to what the milk content is, also pay attention to whether the milk has passed the pasteurization process. Usually the information is printed on the package. Milk is a good source of calcium for pregnant women. In addition to calcium, milk nutrition for pregnant women is usually added to vitamin D, folic acid, and iodine. Let us examine the content that is usually present in the milk of pregnant women and why milk that has not been pasteurized is considered dangerous.

Nutrient Content in Pregnant Mother's Milk

• Calcium

The need for calcium for women over 19 years is 1,000 mg per day, both before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after giving birth. While women aged 18 years and under need more calcium, which is 1,300 mg per day. In general, calcium is needed to prevent bone loss or osteoporosis, and help strengthen bones for pregnant women. In addition to pregnant women, calcium is also beneficial for the fetus, namely to:
• Helps heart development.
• Maintain normal heart rhythm.
• Helps blood clotting ability.
• Form strong teeth and bones.
• Helps develop nerves and muscles.
Milk of pregnant women generally contain calcium. A cup of skim milk can give you 300 mg of calcium. Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese can also be an option for getting calcium intake. Apart from milk, you can get calcium from other sources, such as sardines.

• Folic acid

Folic acid in charge of helping the formation of blood and protein, as well as maximizing the work of enzymes for pregnant women. Folic acid is also useful to protect the fetus from nervous system defects. Folic acid is needed especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, because that's when the brain and fetal nervous system are formed and developing rapidly. Pregnant women are advised to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. Folic acid intake can be obtained by eating nuts, green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, and green or yellow fruits such as oranges and papaya. Apart from food, folic acid can also be obtained from milk from pregnant women and prenatal vitamins.

• Protein

This intake is one of the main nutrients needed for pregnant women. Protein is the basic ingredient of fetal cell and tissue formation, and the production of red blood cells for both mother and fetus. The recommended amount of protein intake during pregnancy is 40-70 grams per day. Protein can be obtained from animal sources, such as milk and processed products including cheese, butter, and yogurt, also from meat, fish and eggs. Protein sources from plants, such as beans, tofu, and nut milk, are also good for meeting the protein needs of pregnant women.

• Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency can also cause the body to lack both of these nutrients. In addition, vitamin D can also help fight infections, help prevent diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Vitamin D can be produced naturally by the body with the help of sun exposure. You can sunbathe in the morning for 10-20 minutes, but it is recommended that the maximum is until 10:00 a.m. Vitamin D is also commonly added to the milk of pregnant women. Pregnant women need about 15 micrograms or 600 IU of vitamin D every day. From a cup of vitamin D-fortified pregnant women, you can get at least 100 IU of vitamin D.

• Iodine

The daily need for iodine for adults is 150 micrograms, while for pregnant women more, which is 220 micrograms. If pregnant women lack iodine, it is feared that it can interfere with fetal brain development. As a result, it can reduce children's intelligence later. Iodine can be obtained from iodized salt, and is usually also present in the milk of pregnant women.

Recommended Pregnant Mother's Milk

In addition to ensuring the milk content to help meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, it is recommended to consume milk that has passed the pasteurization process. You can see the 'pasteurized' label on the package. Unpasteurized milk, such as raw milk directly from cows, can contain harmful bacteria. The pasteurization process is carried out to kill the bad bacteria using high temperatures, but still does not damage the beneficial nutritional content in milk. Pregnant women can face serious conditions if they consume milk contaminated with bacteria, such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E.coli. These bacteria can cause fetal death, death of newborns, and miscarriages. Always take the time to read the description of the nutritional content on the milk packaging of pregnant women before buying it. Don't forget to make sure the milk has gone through the pasteurization process.