Question

1. Why is getting adequate folate or folic acid so important before and during pregnancy? What could happen to the developing baby if the mom doesn't consume adequate folate or folic acid?

2. Why is getting adequate iron so important during pregnancy? What could happen to the developing baby or to the mom if the mom doesn't consume adequate iron during her pregnancy?

3. Why is excessive weight gain (gaining more than the recommended amount) during pregnancy potentially dangerous to the mom? To the developing baby?

4. Ideally, what should an infant be fed for the first 6 months of life? Why?

5. What are the benefits of breastfeeding to a baby? To the mom?

6. What are reason(s) some moms choose not to breastfeed their babies?

7. What are some things we could all do to support moms who want to breastfeed their babies?

8. What should older infants and young children aged 6–23 months consume? Should breastfeeding continue during this time?

9. Why is consuming iron-rich foods so important for older infants starting at age 6 months?

10. Why are nutritional needs for infants and young children higher (on a per kg or lb basis) than at any other time in the life cycle? Which nutrients in particular?

Answer 1

1)Adequate folate or folic acid so important before and during pregnancy because during early development, folic acid helps form the neural tube. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida) as every woman of reproductive age needs to get folic acid every day, whether she is planning to get pregnant or not, to help make new cells.

2)Getting adequate iron so important during pregnant when you're pregnant, you need about twice the amount of iron as you did before you were expecting because your body uses iron to make extra blood for your baby and your body uses iron to make extra blood (hemoglobin) for you and your baby during pregnancy. Iron also helps move oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and to your baby's.The average pregnant woman needs about 30 mg of elemental iron per day to meet the demands of extra blood volume, the developing placenta, and growing fetus and iron deficiency cause In pregnancy, iron deficiency also increases the risk of having a low birth weight baby and a premature delivery.

After giving birth, iron deficiency anaemia can also affect you by causing tiredness and reducing your milk production. It is also associated with postnatal depression.

3)Women who gain excess weight before pregnancy have an increased risk of various complications like gestational diabetes; high blood pressure disorders, such as preeclampsia; sleep apnea; and the need for a C-section. They are also more likely to have children who become overweight or obese.

4)Breastfeeding means breast milk is the only nutrition the infant consumes a mother's milk is the ideal nutrition for her infant for the first six months of life. Helping mothers understand that the milk she produces contains the correct amount of macronutrients and micronutrients her child needs is essential foe about 0-6 months of age breastfeeding also helps protect infants from potentially life-threatening diarrheal illnesses.

5)Breastfed babies have benefits are

Stronger immune systems

Less diarrhea, constipation, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, and preterm necrotizing enterocolitis.

Fewer colds and respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough.

Fewer ear infections, especially those that damage hearing

Fewer case of bacterial meningitis.

#mom benefits of breastfeeding are-

• Promotes faster weight loss after birth, burning about 500 extra calories a day to build and maintain a milk supply.
• Stimulates the uterus to contract and return to normal size.
• Less postpartum bleeding
• Fewer urinary tract infections
• Less chance of anemia.