The nutrition of a nursing mother affects the baby's health. Mom should receive all the vitamins and minerals in order to pass on the baby with milk, but at the same time adhere to a diet. Omega-3 is an important component necessary for the development of crumbs, but is mom allowed to drink omega-3 while breastfeeding?
What to choose?
Fish oil can be bought at the pharmacy, just like omega-3. The price for them is different. Until the 80s of the twentieth century, 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 the 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 most often produced from the liver of cod fish. The liquid form has a characteristic odor that cannot be confused with any other. Capsules are available in yellow and have no smell. The product is considered a dietary supplement and is dispensed without a prescription.
To strengthen immunity, fish oil is taken. In Soviet times, they drank it to prevent rickets in children. The composition of fish oil contains not only omega-3, but also various vitamins.
Vitamin A affects eyesight, improves the condition of hair, nails, improves immunity. Vitamin A deficiency affects the skin, causing excessive dryness.
Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium, 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 is beneficial for the functioning of the nervous system and for the activation of brain activity. Omega-3 when breastfeeding enters the diet of the baby. The benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids are obvious, the main groups that are affected by the use of omega-3 can be distinguished.
What contributes to the intake of fish oil:
- proper metabolism;
- normalization of weight with regular use of acids;
- restoration of emotional state, the fight against postpartum depression;
- increase immunity;
- improving digestion and intestinal motility;
- increased brain activity;
- improving the performance of the cardiovascular system;
- lower blood cholesterol;
- reduce the risk of blood clots;
- improving joint function;
- reduce the risk of stroke.
Due to the large number of positive effects, the baby needs omega-3 for breastfeeding. Komarovsky (a well-known pediatric pediatrician) believes that PUFAs are necessary for the full development of the children's body.
Omega 3 for the baby
After the baby is born, some of its organs are not fully formed. The nervous system continues to ripen. The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by bacteria. Eyes and visual system are actively developing. Immunity continues to strengthen and depends on what the mother eats.
Inside the mother, the baby took all the necessary vitamins from her body, and after birth, he eats 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 omega-3 with 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 oil and are not found in vegetable fats. Therefore, it is important for a child to receive polyunsaturated fatty acids from birth.
If PUFAs are contained in sufficient quantities in mother's milk, the child will receive them. Properly selected vitamins help make up for malnutrition. And if fish does not appear often in your diet, fish oil capsules are necessary.
Side effects
Fish oil has some contraindications, in which it is not recommended to drink it:
- the presence of chronic liver diseases;
- problems with kidney function;
- an ulcer of the stomach or intestines;
- pancreas inflammation;
- violation of the gallbladder;
- excess vitamin D;
- overdose of calcium;
- endocrine diseases;
- allergic reactions;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If there are contraindications, taking omega-3 is not recommended. Omega-3 vitamins during breastfeeding can change the taste of milk and it is likely that the baby will not like it. In this case, you can try to reduce the dose and give time for the baby to get used to new sensations.
The effect of PUFA on intelligence?
Scientists have proven that the lack of omega-3 in the child’s diet adversely affects his mental development.
In England, a diagnosis was made of children who received omega-3 while breastfeeding or a mixture containing omega-3, and children who were fed a mixture without additives. It turned out that in the first group, the development of children was more consistent with age than in the second group. Children receiving vitamins are calmer, their attention and motor skills are better than other babies. Manufacturers add omega-3s to infant formulas and cereals.
In preschool age, with a deficiency of PNT, a decrease in learning ability is noted, the risk of a child's hyperactivity syndrome increases, and sleep quality decreases.
The development of the intelligence of the baby begins with birth. For a harmonious development, it is necessary not only to help the child learn the world, but also to monitor good nutrition. Omega-3-6-9 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for breastfeeding. And, if omega-6s and 9s are present on our table daily, then omega-3s have to be taken additionally.
Selection rules
When buying fish oil, you must choose a quality product. The fact is that the liver of fish is able to accumulate harmful substances, which will lead to the development of an allergic reaction or intolerance to these vitamins. The choice of omega-3 for breastfeeding should be taken seriously.
High-quality fish oil undergoes a long multi-stage purification and can not be cheap. Therefore, when buying, you should ask for a certificate, which indicates from which raw materials it was produced.
You should choose fish oil, in which the content of omega-3 is more than 15%.
By production gelatin from fish or animals is used, the price for them may vary. Fish gelatin costs a little more.
If you stopped at the purchase in liquid form, then you should buy a bottle of dark glass or opaque plastic. An open bottle should be stored in the refrigerator. Under the influence of light and air, the liquid product may oxidize.
It is more pleasant to drink omega in capsules, it does not cause discomfort due to the lack of a specific smell. Flavors are added to liquid forms, which can also cause intolerance to the product.
How to drink omega-3?
Before ingestion of any vitamins, a specialist consultation is required. Despite the benefits of omega-3 PUFAs for breastfeeding, you can drink it only on the recommendation of a pediatrician. He will appreciate the need for additional supplements.
The dose of omega-3 is 2-3 grams per day for a man and 1-2 grams for a woman. It is optimal to drink vitamins while eating, better in the morning.
A larger amount can lead to memory impairment, distraction, decreased activity, irritability, allergic reactions, and decreased visual acuity.