Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Nutrients are essential for fetal growth and development. Malinda’s diet may lack folic acid and iron essential to fetal development. Folic acid is vital for the brain and neural development of the fetus. It plays a crucial part in closing up the precursor to the fetal brain. A pregnant woman requires an average of 600mcg of folic acid daily (Henry et al., 2018; p. 1374). This helps reduces the chances of defects in the fetus. Iron is also essential as it provides sufficient oxygen to the fetus. Iron also helps in nourishing the fetus and supply food. An average of 1000mg of iron is required during pregnancy as 350mg is directed to the fetus (Basu et al., 2018; p. 236). Insufficient supply of the two nutrients will result in the poor brain development of the fetal, poor development of respiratory organs, and low childbirth weight. It may also lead to a genetic disorder. Malinda needs to take enough nutrients during pregnancy which includes iron capsules and folic acid supplements (Whitney & Rolfes 2018; chap 15, p.460). Malinda needs to reduce her alcohol intake and increase her intake of orange juice and whole oranges as they are rich in folic acid.
Breast milk contains nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins. It is therefore important for Brooke to consider breastfeeding as compared to the formula since it is more nutritious, clean, and readily available. The nutrients composition of breast milk varies across and within lactation. The mean estimation for protein is 0.9-1.2g/dL, 3.2-3.6g/dL, fats, 6.7-7.8g/dL lactose and 65-78kcal/dL (Andreas, Kampmann, & Le-Doare 2015; p.639) Disaccharide lactose is the main carbohydrate in breast milk since it is easily digestible. Lactose is essential in the absorption of calcium. The protein content in breast milk is beneficial as it lowers stress on the immature kidney of an infant in excreting urea (Whitney & Rolfes 2018; chap 15, p 483). Breast milk provides diverse bioactive components and immunological factors. For the overall development of the infant, breast milk is important as it contains the essential nutrients required by the infant within the first six months before weaning.
References
Andreas, N. J., Kampmann, B., & Le-Doare, K. M. (2015). Human breast milk: A review on its composition and bioactivity. Early human development, 91(11), 629-635.
Basu, S., Kumar, D., Anupurba, S., Verma, A., & Kumar, A. (2018). Effect of maternal iron deficiency anemia on fetal neural development. Journal of Perinatology, 38(3), 233-239.
Henry, L. A., Cassidy, T., McLaughlin, M., Pentieva, K., McNulty, H., Walsh, C. P., & Lees‐Murdock, D. (2018). Folic acid supplementation throughout pregnancy: psychological developmental benefits for children. Acta Paediatrica, 107(8), 1370-1378.
Whitney, E., & Rolfes, S. R. (2018). Understanding nutrition. Cengage Learning.