The nutrition of a nursing mother affects the he alth of the baby. Mom should receive all the vitamins and minerals to pass with milk to the child, but at the same time adhere to a diet. Omega-3s are essential for baby development, but is mom allowed to drink omega-3s while breastfeeding?
What to choose?
Fish oil can be bought at the pharmacy, just like omega-3s. Their prices are different. Until the 1980s, fish oil was given to children in kindergartens. Now it has become popular to drink omega-3 and give it to children. What is the difference between these products?
It seems to many that there is no difference and you can buy what is cheaper.
Omega-3 is a component of fish oil, a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is not produced in the body and must be obtained from outside.
Omega-3 is found in fish, flax oil, milk thistle and walnut. Fish oil is found only in fish and is taken from meat and liver.
What is fish oil?
Fish oil is produced most often from the liver of cod fish. The liquid form has a characteristic smell that cannot be confused with any other. The capsules are yellow in color and have no odor. The product is considered a dietary supplement and is available without a prescription.
To strengthen the immune system take fish oil. In Soviet times, it was drunk to prevent rickets in children. Fish oil contains not only omega-3, but also various vitamins.
Vitamin A affects vision, improves the condition of hair, nails, improves immunity. Vitamin A deficiency affects the skin, causing excessive dryness.
Vitamin D improves calcium absorption, is responsible for the functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin E has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, the function of the reproductive system.
Useful properties of omega-3
Omega-3 benefits the nervous system and activates the brain. Omega-3 during breastfeeding enters the diet of the baby. The benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids are obvious, it is possible to identify the main groups that are affected by the use of omega-3.
What does taking fish oil do:
- proper metabolism;
- normalization of weight with regular use of acids;
- restoring the emotional state, the fight against postpartum depression;
- immunity boost;
- improving digestion and intestinal motility;
- increase brain activity;
- Improve cardiovascular he althsystem;
- lower blood cholesterol levels;
- reducing the risk of blood clots;
- improve joint function;
- reduce the risk of stroke.
Due to the many positive effects, the baby needs omega-3s when breastfeeding. Komarovsky (a well-known pediatrician) believes that PUFAs are necessary for the full development of the child's body.
Omega-3 for baby
After the birth of a baby, some of his organs are not fully formed. The nervous system continues to mature. The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by bacteria. The eyes and visual system are actively developing. Immunity continues to strengthen and depends on what mom eats.
Inside the mother, the baby took all the necessary vitamins from her body, and after birth, he feeds on breast milk.
Omega-3 plays an important role in the development of the child's immunity, brain development and vision. Is it possible for a nursing mother to take omega-3 while breastfeeding?
Omega-3 is involved in the cellular construction of the brain and eyeball. Cells require fats and eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids for proper formation. They are found in fish oils and absent in vegetable fats. Therefore, it is important for a child to receive polyunsaturated fatty acids from birth.
If the mother's milk contains enough PUFAs, the baby will get them. Properly selected vitamins help to make up for malnutrition. And if fish does not appear in your dietoften, fish oil capsules are needed.
Side effects
Fish oil has some contraindications in which it is not recommended to drink it:
- presence of chronic liver disease;
- kidney problems;
- gastric or intestinal ulcer;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- violation of the gallbladder;
- too much vitamin D;
- calcium overdose;
- endocrine diseases;
- allergic reactions;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If there are contraindications, taking omega-3s is not recommended. Omega-3 vitamins while breastfeeding can change the taste of milk and there is a chance that the baby will not like it. In this case, you can try to reduce the dose and give the baby time to get used to the new sensations.
Effect of PUFAs on intelligence?
Scientists have proven that the lack of omega-3 in the diet of a child adversely affects his mental development.
Children who were breastfed with omega-3 or formula containing omega-3 and those who were fed formula without supplements were tested in England. It turned out that in the first group, the development of children was more age-appropriate than in the second group. Children receiving vitamins are calmer, their attention and motor skills are better than those of other babies. Manufacturers add omega-3s to infant formula and cereals.
At preschool age whendeficiency of PSVT, there is a decrease in the ability to learn, an increase in the risk of child hyperactivity syndrome, and a decrease in the quality of sleep.
The development of a baby's intelligence begins at birth. For harmonious development, it is necessary not only to help the child explore the world, but also to monitor good nutrition. Polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3-6-9 during breastfeeding are indispensable components. And, if omega-6 and 9 are present on our table daily, then omega-3 has to be taken additionally.
Selection rules
When buying fish oil, you need to choose a quality product. The fact is that the fish liver is able to accumulate harmful substances, which will lead to the development of an allergic reaction or intolerance to these vitamins. Your choice of omega-3s while breastfeeding needs to be taken seriously.
Quality fish oil goes through a long multi-stage purification and cannot be cheap. Therefore, when buying, you should ask for a certificate that indicates what raw materials it was made from.
Choose fish oil with more than 15% omega-3 content.
Produced with fish or animal gelatin, prices may vary. Fish gelatin costs a little more.
If you stopped at the liquid form when buying, then you should buy a bottle made of dark glass or opaque plastic. An open bottle must be stored in the refrigerator. Liquid product may oxidize when exposed to light and air.
Omega in capsules to drinkmore pleasant, it does not cause discomfort due to the absence of a specific smell. Flavorings are added to liquid forms, which can also cause intolerance to the product.
How to drink omega-3 correctly?
Before ingestion of any vitamins, a specialist consultation is required. Despite the benefits of omega-3 PUFAs when breastfeeding, you can drink only on the recommendation of a pediatrician. He will assess the need for additional supplements.
The dose of omega-3 is 2-3 grams per day for men and 1-2 grams for women. It is optimal to drink vitamins with meals, preferably in the morning.
A larger amount can lead to memory impairment, absent-mindedness, decreased activity, irritability, allergic reactions, decreased visual acuity.
