A baby’s brain develops rapidly in the first 12 months. DHA, natural vitamin E helps in infant cognition through breastfeeding. Learn more about #FeedIQ and why you should breastfeed.
Pregnancy and motherhood is a special time in a woman’s life. A healthy pregnancy is largely dependent on good nutrition, moderate exercise and good rest. With the birth of your baby a new mother is born. As a mother all you want is the best for your baby. The single most important job of a new mom is facilitating nutrition to the baby through BREASTFEEDING. Breast milk has the super vitamin that your baby’s brain needs – DHA & Natural Vitamin E. It is through breastfeeding that you facilitate #FeedIQ.
Nutrition for first six months for Baby’s Brain Development
Breastfeeding is an incomparable way to provide nutrition for an infant. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months in an infant’s life for baby’s brain development and overall growth. An infant doesn’t even require water in the first six months because breast milk has enough water and all the necessary nutrients. In another words breastmilk is the gold standard of food and nutrition for your baby.
What are the key nutrients in breast milk?
Breast milk is the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins and carbohydrates that is enough for an infant.
- Proteins – Breast milk contains two kinds of protein – whey and casein – which have great infection protection properties.
- Good Fats – Long chained fatty acids present in breast milk helps in the development of eyes, brain and the nervous system.
- Vitamins – Breast milk contains fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins A, D, E and K.
- Carbohydrates – Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in breast milk. It not only provides energy but reduces the unhealthy bacteria in stomach.
Super Vitamin DHA & Natural Vitamin E in Breastmilk
Breastmilk is also rich in DHA and Natural Vitamin E that are essential nutrients for a infant’s brain development.
Some key factors that contribute towards baby’s brain development are DHA, AA, choline, taurine and lutein. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is one of the most important brain nutrients. It is also directly influenced by the amount of DHA in a mother’s diet. However, baby’s DHA is prone to oxidation and needs protection against damage.
Natural Vitamin E, on the hand, is a powerful anti-oxidant that prevents DHA from any oxidative damage. DHA and Natural Vitamin E in combination together are superfoods for a baby’s brain development and infant cognition. Natural Vitamin E is found in brain regions that support visual, memory and language development.
How to #FeedIQ for Baby’s Brain Development
A mother who is also the primary caregiver feeds IQ in her child through – good nutrition, emotional bonding, interaction since infancy. When I was a new mom, I was staying with my mom for a few months and she kept no stones unturned to make me eat nutritious food. Good nutritious food is as important for a pregnant mom as is for a lactating mother. I would be eating almonds, spinach, broccoli, fish every day.
Alpha-tocopherol, or Natural Vitamin E is found highest in lactating mothers in the first few months. It’s levels decreases with the progress of lactation. Thus it is important for the mother to have a nutritious balanced diet that helps to supply all the important nutrients that a baby needs – specially DHA and Natural Vitamin E.
Foods that are Rich in Natural Vitamin E
Taking vitamin E supplements doesn’t quite help in getting Natural Vitamin E in your system. Mothers should include foods rich in Natural Vitamin E in their diet.
- Vegetable oils: Sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil
- Leafy greens: Spinach, kailan, kangkung, broccoli.
- Seafood: Salmon, trout, shrimps.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Lactating mothers need nutrient rich diets for better breastfeeding experience. Dietary supplements like SimMomIQ+ by Abbot helps in meeting all the requirements of key nutrients during pregnancy & Lactation. SimMomIQ+ is enriched with brain nutrients like DHA, Choline, Zinc, Iodine, Folic Acids.
How to read the labels for Natural Vitamin E?
When you are buying packaged food as dietary supplement read the labels for the components. I like to be an informed consumer and always read the labels. NATURAL Vitamin E is listed as ‘RRR-alpha-tocopherol’ or ‘d-alpha-tocopherol’ on food packaging and labels while synthetic vitamin E are mentioned as ‘all-rac-a-tocopheral’.
Is breastfeeding easy? Breastfeeding is natural but ask me, it is not very easy for everyone. It requires, will power, practise and patience. You can get lower supply, cracked nipples, sore breasts. It is good to follow some self care tips for breastfeeding moms to make the journey easier.
As a mother, we want our babies to grow and develop as best as possible. It is important to note; breastmilk is finally derived from the food that the mother intakes. Any shortfall in nutrition of the mother will result in lack of nutrients for the baby. A good nutrient rich diet with DHA, Natural Vitamin E will help in proper growth of baby’s brain. Happy breastfeeding moms.
Tina Basu is the founder and editor at TinaBasu - The Lifestyle blog and Twinkling Tina Cooks - The Food Blog She is a published author and a food enthusiast. This ex-corporate girl is now being a supermom to a little dude.
Follow her on Twitter @twinklingtina and Facebook Tina Basu 34 Comments on The Super Vitamin for your Baby’s Brain – DHA & Natural Vitamin E – #FeedIQ
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Deepa
August 23, 2018 at 4:22 pm (6 months ago)Rightly said that any shortfall in a mom’s nutrition can affect breastfeeding. Good nutrition and breastfeeding are related. A very detailed artucle on the benefits of breastfeeding.
Dipika Singh
August 23, 2018 at 6:35 pm (6 months ago)Mom’s nutritional needs are so vital during lactation, DHA & Natural vitamin E has major role to play when it comes to baby brain development.
Shilpa Garg
August 23, 2018 at 7:43 pm (6 months ago)Rightly said. Breast milk is an elixir for the baby and it’s health benefits cannot be highlighted enough. It is so important for a child’s brain development. A comprehensive post!
Shilpa Garg
August 23, 2018 at 7:44 pm (6 months ago)Rightly said. Breast milk is an elixir for the baby and its health benefits cannot be highlighted enough. It is so important for a child’s brain development. A comprehensive post!
Akshata
August 24, 2018 at 10:38 am (6 months ago)A very comprehensive one Tina on the need for a nutritious diet for a mom who is breastfeeding
Geethica Mehra
August 24, 2018 at 11:15 am (6 months ago)Mother’s nutrition is the most important thing. When a mother has good health and nutrition in her diet then the child is going to benefit more.
Neha Tambe
August 24, 2018 at 12:06 pm (6 months ago)I can understand that as a mom my nutrition will be important for a healthy baby. This is a useful post for maintaining mom’s diet
Sayeri
August 24, 2018 at 3:57 pm (6 months ago)I did EVF, I became underweight. I didnt have sufficient milk and I took medicines as well.So for me the journey was not so easy. I strongly recommend EVF to all moms
U K
August 24, 2018 at 8:25 pm (6 months ago)This seems to be interesting..😊
Charu
August 27, 2018 at 12:08 am (6 months ago)A very detailed and insightful post. There are so many facts which I didn’t know as a new mom but should have known. Sharing this with my friends who are expecting.
Shubhada Bhide
August 27, 2018 at 4:27 pm (6 months ago)This is a very informative post and the best guide for new parents. Vitamins that have DHA is really important for kids to develop their brains.
Shalini
August 27, 2018 at 7:18 pm (6 months ago)What a well-researched post! It is going to help non-parents like me as well. Thanks, Tina.
Pooja Kawatra
August 27, 2018 at 8:18 pm (6 months ago)I really liked the way you have highlighted the points here and we often neglect these important vitamins our body required.
Noorain
August 27, 2018 at 8:59 pm (6 months ago)This is a really informative post and has most of the pointers that we often overlook. Great useful article!
Gurjeet Chhabra
August 27, 2018 at 9:24 pm (6 months ago)I breastfeed my both kids for 2 years. DHA & Natural vitamin E play a major role in baby brain development.
Jinal
August 27, 2018 at 10:41 pm (6 months ago)Quite an informative post. I wish I knew this when I I delivered my baby.
Mahak
August 27, 2018 at 11:00 pm (6 months ago)DHA and natural vitamin E are key nutrients for cognitive development in babies and very important for pregnant and breastfeeding moms to include these in their diet. This is a very informative post. Thanks for sharing
Ruchi Verma
August 28, 2018 at 6:53 am (6 months ago)Vitamins with DHA is very important for kids and this post covered actually all pointers …very well penned
KAPILA RATTAN BHOWMIK
August 28, 2018 at 11:55 am (6 months ago)A balanced diet with all essential nutrients is what a breastfeeding mother should have. It is vital for baby’s growth
Arpita
August 28, 2018 at 4:20 pm (6 months ago)This is a very useful article I found on my friends facebook timeline.Thank you for this
Sayeri
August 28, 2018 at 4:23 pm (6 months ago)Self-care is really imp for breastfeeding moms. Thanks for sharing the good sources of Vit E. Your post is going to help all the new moms for sure.
Neha Sharma
August 28, 2018 at 9:57 pm (6 months ago)I am sure that many new mothers have no idea about the benefits of DHA & Natural VitE for a baby’s brain development. And how by exclusive breastfeeding they can provide all these essential nutrients to their baby. It’s a must read post for all pregnant & lactating mothers.
Sinduja
August 28, 2018 at 10:46 pm (6 months ago)I actually felt the sudden drops in energy when I didn’t watch what I had during the first month of nursing my child. Once I consciously ate healthy, things were easier to handle
Siddhi Palande
August 29, 2018 at 12:09 am (6 months ago)My daughter is 2 months short of two years and I still breastfeed my child because it is essential for her health. Tho I compensate for the initial milk loss but in my heart I Kno that it’s for the best of my child.
Akanksha
August 29, 2018 at 4:22 am (6 months ago)Well articulated Tina. Mom’s nutrition should not be neglected if she breastfeed her child. DHA and vit E promotes baby’s brain development and I’m sure there are many mum’s out there who are unaware. Thanks for sharing. I hope your article reaches to many mums.
Bushra
August 29, 2018 at 11:45 am (6 months ago)Indeed exclusive breastfeeding have so many benefits both for baby and mother. Get to learn more about breastfeeding via this post
Humaira
August 29, 2018 at 11:48 am (6 months ago)Amazing and informative post. Vitamin E and DHA is very necessary for the kid’s brain development. Great thoughts.
safaritravelplus
August 29, 2018 at 11:27 pm (6 months ago)Most people don’t realize that there is no substitute for breast milk for a baby especially within the first 6 months.
Aritro Chattopadhyay
August 29, 2018 at 11:52 pm (6 months ago)Vitamin is very much required for a baby’s brain. Loved your post.
prisha
September 4, 2018 at 5:00 pm (6 months ago)these nutrients when go defficient are so much of a nusiance!
Surbhi
September 9, 2018 at 5:33 pm (5 months ago)Great post and extremely informative.
Surbhi Mahobia
September 9, 2018 at 5:34 pm (5 months ago)Great post and extremely informative. #surreads #myfriendalexa #blogchatter
Andy Bishop
September 10, 2018 at 7:36 am (5 months ago)Great guide Tina! I’m going to share this with my wife. We have a newborn baby.
Andy Bishop recently posted…Zesty Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
Jane - Cloth Diaper Mamma
September 10, 2018 at 11:55 pm (5 months ago)Reading labels takes a lot of time, but well worth it! We grow some ourselves, purchase from local farm markets and when shopping in the store we usually stick to the outer ring.. which is the produce, meats, cheese, dairy, eggs, fruits, etc. We no longer own a microwave and rarely eat anything from a prepackaged box. Well on our way to a healthier household. Thanks for the great post
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