Summer is the peak season for diarrhea, but it can be dangerous for some special groups, such as expectant mothers. Diarrhea in expectant mothers can have various causes, including diarrhea from consuming pregnancy milk powder. Some expectant mothers experience diarrhea without food poisoning or intestinal infection, but it may be related to drinking pregnancy milk powder. What should expectant mothers do if they have diarrhea? What should they do if they have diarrhea from pregnancy milk powder? What should they eat if they have diarrhea from pregnancy milk powder? Today, I will discuss how to solve these problems with all expectant mothers!
Causes of Diarrhea from Pregnancy Milk Powder
1. Pregnancy milk powder is rich in nutrients such as folic acid, SA, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12, which are also useful for women planning to conceive and breastfeeding. Folic acid helps the healthy development of the fetus and is crucial for the production of red blood cells. Linoleic acid and linolenic acid are converted into DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) in the body, which are essential growth factors for the development of the baby's brain and eyes. Calcium helps pregnant women and the fetus develop strong bones. Various vitamins and minerals provide the necessary nutrients for pregnant women and the fetus.
2. During pregnancy, even if the pregnant mother's diet is relatively reasonable and balanced, it may not meet all the body's needs. Pregnancy milk powder is specially formulated to meet the special physiological needs of pregnant women and almost strengthens the various vitamins and minerals they need. So, what is the reason for diarrhea after drinking pregnancy milk powder? It is possible that your gastrointestinal tract is not compatible with this brand of milk powder, so you can try another brand. If you still have diarrhea, it is recommended to stop drinking it because prolonged diarrhea in pregnant women can increase intestinal motility, stimulate uterine contractions, and easily lead to premature birth or miscarriage. You can choose other brands of milk powder, have regular check-ups, and closely monitor the development of the fetus.
3. Pregnant women's nutrition needs to be balanced, and they should not be picky eaters, especially when it comes to the absorption of certain nutrients such as carbohydrates, sugars, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and trace elements. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it has to be truly nutritious, like soy milk, which is rich in protein. Drinking pure soy milk every morning is nutritious and healthy. It is said that it can also give the baby born later fair and healthy skin.
What to Do for Diarrhea from Pregnancy Milk Powder
It is common for pregnant women to drink milk during pregnancy, but some pregnant women may experience abnormal situations, such as diarrhea after drinking pregnancy milk powder, which can make pregnant women worried about the possible impact on the fetus. So, what should pregnant women do if they have diarrhea after drinking milk powder? The following information will help you solve this confusion.
If you have diarrhea after drinking pregnancy milk powder, you should stop drinking it and observe if the following conditions exist:
1. Milk powder should not be consumed on an empty stomach as it can cause diarrhea. It is recommended to consume it with solid foods such as bread or eggs and drink it slowly instead of gulping it down.
2. Milk powder should not be mixed with boiled water or consumed when it appears too bright. This is usually due to poor gastrointestinal health.
3. It should not be consumed together with oily foods, especially in the morning.
In addition, diarrhea after drinking pregnancy milk powder may also be due to gastrointestinal reasons or the brand of milk powder. You can try another brand of milk powder if it doesn't work. If it is still ineffective, it is recommended to avoid consuming milk powder. A balanced and nutritious diet should be sufficient. You can consume fish, eggs, chicken, and milk, as well as vegetables and fruits. After 5 months, you can supplement with calcium, and within the first 3 months, you can supplement with folic acid.
Pregnant women who experience diarrhea after drinking pregnancy milk powder should first understand the cause of diarrhea and then find a solution. If there is no solution, dietary adjustments may be necessary.
Which Milk Powder is Good for Pregnant Women?
I believe this question has caused a lot of concern for every expectant mother. Should you choose cow's milk powder or goat's milk powder? Should you choose milk for mothers or milk for goats? Let me analyze it for all expectant mothers.
1. Core nutrients needed by the fetus:
The formula milk powder on the market, whether it is cow's milk powder or goat's milk powder, is formulated with added nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the fetus within the national standard range. From this perspective, there will not be a big difference between cow's milk powder and goat's milk powder of different brands.
2. Reasonable intake of fats for mothers:
After fat is consumed by the body, it is metabolized and converted into thermal energy, and it also provides essential fatty acids for the growth and development of the fetus. The components of fat are involved in the formation of cell membranes and the myelin sheath of the central nervous system, which is particularly important for the development of the fetal central nervous system. If the fat intake of pregnant women is insufficient, it will not be conducive to the development of the immune system and nervous system.
Goat milk has smaller fat globules, usually about 2 micrometers, only half or even one-tenth the size of cow's milk, and is evenly distributed in the milk. In the digestive tract, it has a large contact surface area with digestive juices and consists mainly of medium-chain fatty acids, which are easy to absorb. Therefore, the fat in goat milk generally does not convert into body fat storage and accumulation, leading to obesity. Mothers who are concerned about obesity can consider choosing goat milk powder.
3. Enhancing immunity:
Only by improving immunity can mothers have fewer colds and provide a healthy growth environment for the fetus. Choosing a formula with immunoglobulin IgG/IgA is recommended, which is commonly found in both cow's milk powder and goat's milk powder. Goat milk powder contains special epithelial growth factors (EGF) that can effectively improve the mother's immune ability and ensure the normal development of the fetus, making the mother healthier. Therefore, in terms of enhancing immunity, goat milk powder has an advantage.
Is it Necessary to Drink Pregnancy Milk Powder?
There are various "pregnancy milk powders" available on the market, specially prepared for expectant mothers. They are based on milk and specially added nutrients such as folic acid, calcium, iron, and DHA that are needed during pregnancy. So, is it necessary to drink pregnancy milk powder?
1. Dietary nutrition conditioning does not start from the formation of fertilized eggs. Especially for nutrients such as folic acid and DHA (unsaturated fatty acids) that promote the development of the baby's brain, they should be supplemented before pregnancy to ensure that the reserves of folic acid and DHA in the body reach an ideal level in the early stages of pregnancy.
2. Under normal circumstances, as long as the diet is balanced and comprehensive, people can obtain these nutrients from their daily diet. For example, deep-sea fish is rich in DHA, and animal liver, lean meat, and vegetables contain folic acid. However, many working women eat out regularly, making it difficult to meet their nutritional needs through regular diet. In this case, it is suitable to use pregnancy milk powder fortified with DHA, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients for pre-pregnancy nutritional reserves. Starting from 3 months before planning to conceive, it is recommended to drink a cup of pregnancy milk powder, about 250 milliliters, every day.
3. The nutritional needs of pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy are not necessarily different from those before pregnancy because the embryo is small and grows slowly during the early stages of pregnancy.
4. In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, pregnancy milk powder ensures sufficient nutrition. As morning sickness and vomiting gradually subside or disappear and the appetite of pregnant women improves, the fetus's nutritional needs also increase. In addition to a balanced and comprehensive diet, pregnant women in the middle and late stages of pregnancy should increase the intake of fish, poultry, eggs, lean meat, seafood, and milk. Among them, increasing the intake of 50-100 grams of lean meat, fish, and eggs, and 400-500 milliliters of milk per day is recommended. Fish, poultry, eggs, lean meat, and milk are good sources of high-quality protein, and milk is also a good source of calcium. Therefore, starting from the middle stage of pregnancy, it is necessary to drink milk powder to supplement inadequate nutrition.
When Should Pregnant Women Start Drinking Milk Powder?
1. During the pregnancy period, the body's nutritional needs cannot be fully met through a balanced diet alone. Therefore, additional nutrients should be added, and pregnancy milk powder is one option. Pregnancy milk powder is specially formulated to meet the special physiological needs of pregnant women and can satisfy their needs for nutrients, minerals, etc. Since it is so important, when is the best time for pregnant women to start drinking milk powder?
2. According to research and surveys conducted abroad, it is best to start drinking pregnancy milk powder one year before pregnancy. By drinking pregnancy milk powder one year before pregnancy, women of childbearing age can ensure that their bodies are adequately nourished during pregnancy, especially in terms of folic acid intake, which meets the needs of the baby and the mother during pregnancy, eliminating the need for additional folic acid supplements. This can achieve a balanced and comprehensive nutrition.
3. If women of childbearing age can start drinking pregnancy milk powder one year before pregnancy and continue drinking it after becoming pregnant, the high-quality nutrition in the milk powder can replenish the nutritional deficiencies caused by early pregnancy reactions and ensure the balanced nutrition requirements for the first 3 months after the baby is born. The development of the baby in the first 3 months is crucial, and if there is a lack of nutrition during this period, it can easily lead to insufficient fetal development. Therefore, for the sake of the baby, it is necessary to drink milk powder one year before pregnancy and continue drinking it after becoming pregnant.
4. If women of childbearing age did not drink milk powder one year before pregnancy, the burden on the body during pregnancy will be heavy. If there is a severe lack of folic acid, it may even affect the mother's health and the baby's health, leading to infant deformities or delayed development. Therefore, women planning to conceive should start drinking pregnancy milk powder before pregnancy.
How to Choose Pregnancy Milk Powder?
Currently, there are various pregnancy milk powders specially formulated for expectant mothers on the market. They are based on milk and further added nutrients needed during pregnancy, which can meet the needs of expectant mothers during pregnancy. However, there are many types of pregnancy milk powder on the market, so how should expectant mothers choose pregnancy milk powder?
1. Understand your own nutritional status.
Major hospitals have nutrition clinics or health clinics where pregnant women can undergo comprehensive checks of their nutritional status to determine if they are lacking certain micronutrients or minerals. They can also seek advice from doctors and choose pregnancy milk powder based on their own situation.
2. Consider your own pregnancy reactions.
Some pregnant women are sensitive to taste and may love or dislike certain flavors. Therefore, pregnancy milk powder should be chosen based on personal preferences.
3. Carefully read the nutrition labels.
Check if it is suitable and meets your needs. Pay attention to the fat content. Pregnant women who enjoy rich foods should choose low-fat formula milk powder to prevent excessive fat intake and excessive weight gain.
For pregnant women with strong morning sickness or poor appetite, it is recommended to choose high-fat milk powder to ensure sufficient calories and essential nutrients for the development of the fetus.
4. Examine the packaging carefully.
The packaging of legitimate manufacturers should be intact, smooth, with clear patterns and high-quality printing. It should clearly display the trademark, manufacturer's name, production date, batch number, net weight, nutritional composition table, applicable standards, target audience, and instructions for use.
5. Judge the quality based on sound.
Although the milk powder cannot be seen inside the packaging, you can shake it by holding the packaging and listen if it makes a "rustling" sound and if the sound is clear.
Precautions for Diarrhea in Pregnant Women
1. Some expectant mothers may have lactose intolerance due to a lack of lactase in the intestines and should not drink milk powder again.
2. Pregnant women with repeated episodes of diarrhea should be checked for other chronic diseases, such as thyroid disease, tuberculosis, or colitis.
3. Drinking "chicken soup" or "bone broth" with excessive oil content can also cause diarrhea.
4. If diarrhea is suspected to be caused by food allergies, pregnant women should quickly identify the allergic food and avoid consuming it again.
5. Maintain a happy mood, as excessive stress can also cause diarrhea.
Pregnant women may not have known that there is so much knowledge about diarrhea from pregnancy milk powder. What do you already know, expectant mothers and fathers?
