Milk is an important part of pregnancy diet. Maternity milk contains many nutrients required for pregnant women. Recent studies show that regular milk consumption during pregnancy can reduce the risk of low birth weight in babies.

Although nutrients in milk can be found in another food source, but milk is an easy food that you can find anywhere and very easy to prepare. Some nutrition that can be found in milk are protein, calcium and vitamin D.

Unlike ordinary milk, maternity milk contains many nutrients like folic acid, iron, multiple vitamins, and many mineral. These micronutrients are very important to support the development of baby during pregnancy.

The fat contained in maternity milk is lower than that in ordinary milk. This is also another reason why it is very important to drink maternity milk. Here are some benefits of maternity milk for mother and the baby:

• Protein

Milk is a good source of protein. Protein requirement of pregnant women is 72 grams. With a glass of milk, you can get 10.4 gram of protein. During pregnancy, protein is needed for baby development, and other purposes like increase the womb size, blood supply, placenta and umbilical cord. Lack of protein during pregnancy can lead to many medical problems, one of which is low birth weight.

• Calcium

Beside protein, calcium is an important nutrient for pregnant women. Calcium is needed in the formation of baby’s bone. If you don’t have enough calcium intake during pregnancy, your body will take the calcium from your bone to fulfill the need. This will lead to reduced bone density and pregnant women will suffer from osteoporosis. Daily calcium requirement for pregnant woman is 1000 milligrams and one glass of milk contains about 400 milligrams of calcium.

• Vitamin D

Milk is an important source of vitamin D. Vitamin D can prevent rickets (bone disturbance due to vitamin D deficiency) and low birth weight. Vitamin D is strongly linked with bone health. The daily requirement of vitamin D for pregnant women is 600 IU and one glass of milk contains 117 IU vitamin D

• Folic acid

Folic acid is very important for cell division. During pregnancy, folic acid is needed to prevent many disorders, especially brain and spine disorder (neural tube defect).

During pregnancy, pregnant women needs 400 milligrams of folic acid every day. Each glass of milk contains 400 milligrams of folic acid, so drinking one glass of milk can fulfill 100 percent folic acid requirement.

• Iron

Iron is an important mineral to prevent anemia in pregnant women and baby. Anemia during pregnancy can cause low birth weight and increase the risk of reducing children intelligence. Pregnant women need 30 milligrams of iron every day. This can be achieved by drinking three glass of milk that contains 10 milligrams of iron in each glass.

Now, you know many nutrients contained in maternity milk and the benefit of maternity milk for pregnant woman and the baby. That’s why pregnant women should have 1-2 glass of milk every day during pregnancy to fulfill many essentials nutrients during pregnancy.

[NP/ RH]