When mothers are pregnant, it is important to be as healthy as possible. 

For pregnant women, it is important to be as healthy as possible before and during pregnancy with eating healthy foods, being active and getting prenatal care.  Prenatal care will help to make sure mothers are gaining the right amount of weight..not too much or too little.   Prenatal care is also vital to make sure mothers are as healthy as they can be during their pregnancy.  In prenatal care, the mom and baby are checked, this includes weight, blood pressure, growth of the baby and how active the baby is.  Providers may draw blood to check for health status as well. 

Prenatal care and monitoring weight gain according to Lowdermilk & Perry (2006). Progressive weight gain is critical for optimal health of both mom and baby.  If a women is underweight, she needs to gain about 12.5-18 kg. For women who are of normal BMI, she should gain 11.5-16 kg and for women who are overweight: 7-11.5kg.  If a woman is obese, weight gain needs to occur, but will be closer to 7 kg of gain.  This covers the weight of the baby, extra fluid, changes in her body, and finally the weight of the placenta.  The pattern of weight gain during pregnancy is important for the health of mom and baby….during the first trimester, most women do not gain any weight and may lose because of morning sickness and nausea.  In 2nd trimester (week 13-26) and third trimester (week 27-40), women should gain 0.3 kg per week for women who are overweight or obese.

When babies are breastfed, there is less chance of being overweight as a child.  In a study done by Sloan, Gildea, Stewart, Sneddan and Iwaniec (2007) studied babies that are weaned before 4 months and babies weaned after 4 months.  Babies that were weaned early, before 4 months and formula fed were more likely to be overweight as children.  Overweight children are more likely to be overweight adults.  Results of the study indicated that mothers need to strongly consider breastfeeding their babies for at least 4 months.  However, longer is better.  If moms can breastfeed for at least 6 months, that will help even more.  The best scenario is for moms to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, then start to supplement with other juices, water and solids.  Babies can be breastfed until both mom and baby are ready to wean.  Some babies and moms will breastfeed for a short time, and some moms/babies will breastfeed for several years.  Each mom and baby are unique in what works best for them. 

The World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed their babies for at least 6 months to help keep babies as healthy as possible.  Breastfeeding helps to reduce risk of childhood obesity and reduces infant infections and death. 

According to WHO: Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.

Once again, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding means no other source of nutrition expect breastmilk.  Please keep in mind, if babies are not growing well, are dehydrated or not gaining weight may need to have other sources of nutrition in the first 6 months, such as formula.  The  key is to make sure babies and moms are as healthy as they can be, but babies and moms should not gain extra weight that their bodies do not need.  This is a fine line and as nurses we need to make sure that both moms and babies are at a healthy weight (Lowdermilk & Perry, 2006).

References:

Lowdermilk, D. & Perry, S. (2006) Maternity Nursing. (7th ed). St. Louis: Mosby 

Sloan, S., Gildea, A., Stewart, M., Sneddon, H. & Iwaniec, D. (2007). Early weaning is related to weight and rate of weight gain in infancy. Child: care, health and development, 34:59-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00771.x

Exercise: How many women in your family and community breastfeed their infants? Is breastfeeding important in your community?  Why or why not?