Babies never fail to amaze us. Their every day development, from sleeping most of the time, to rolling, to smiling and walking - we are awed by how they learn to do these things. These babies develop into toddlers and eventually grow to be the next generation's leaders and citizens.
If you notice, more and more advertisements on milk formula focus on achievers, noting that these people have grown to be who they are now because their mothers have nurtured them inside and out.
It is important for mothers to know that nurturing does not only start when the baby is born, but even before pregnancy, the mother should be watching her health and make sure that her body and environment is healthy before conceiving.
Once the baby is conceived, the expectant mother is given supplements to make sure that both baby and mother are getting the right nutrients at the right amount. One supplement for expectant mothers is Expecta, a softgel capsule that contains an omega-3 essential fatty acid, called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), that is found to be beneficial for the development of the baby's brain and eyes. DHA is also important while growing up and for adults, since it is found that this fatty acid forms part of the brain and eye tissues. Since intake of DHA from foods is limited, supplementation helps in making sure that the recommended amount is absorbed by the body for its proper function.
It was found in studies that attention, visual acuity and cognitive development in babies improved with the intake of DHA supplements of their mothers. It was also found to be beneficial for premature infants to gain weight.
Expecta contains 200mg of DHA. This is beneficial especially if these women have limited intake of fish, which is the main source of omega-3. Eggs also contain about 19 mg of DHA. According to the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL), the recommended amount of DHA that pregnant and lactating women should take is 300 mg per day. However, the average consumption is only between 45 mg to 115 mg per day.
Aside from fish, manufactured DHA can also be sourced from algae, to cater to vegetarians. With DHA derived from algae, there is no danger of mercury and heavy metal contamination, which is found in some fishes that are harvested from contaminated areas of the ocean.
Expecta is also recommended for nursing women, regardless of the age of the baby. There are women who breastfeed their children up to two years of age, and supplementation is highly advised.
Aside from taking supplements, babies can also get DHA from baby formula that are DHA fortified, if the babies are no longer breastfed. Young children that are already eating solid foods should be encouraged to eat fish, sea foods and eggs to get a balanced amount of DHA, proteins and minerals.
Aside from nurturing the body, these children's exposure to the right learning environment will help them develop into creative and responsible adults. Nurturing should be both done inside and out.
