During pregnancy, it's important to make sure you're getting the right kind of nutrients so your baby will have all the building blocks she needs to develop. It may be news to you that fat and the components that make up fat, called fatty acids—are very important for babies' healthy development. In fact, fatty acids compose 60% of the human brain. And two fatty acids in particular play a critical part in supporting Baby's brain and eye development. Called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) & ARA (arachidonic acid), these nutrients are important building blocks of your baby's brain and eye development.Sources of DHA & ARA
These essential fatty acids can be found in the foods you eat. For example, DHA (an omega-3 type of fatty acid) is concentrated in the oils of cold-water ocean fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines. ARA (an omega-6 fatty acid) is found in dairy products, meat, and eggs.
Throughout your third trimester of pregnancy, you pass DHA & ARA to your baby through the placenta. Some experts believe that these fatty acids are associated with the development of an infant's brain and her eventual ability to learn, judge and concentrate. And since Baby's tissues continue to develop after birth, it's just as important to maintain the level of these nutrients throughout infancy. Naturally, these nutrients are also passed on to Baby through breastmilk. (Levels of DHA & ARA in a woman's breastmilk vary depending on how much she eats of the foods containing the fatty acids, which is why a healthy diet is so important.)
Babies who are formula-fed can make DHA & ARA from the fatty acids (linolenic acid and linoleic acid) found in standard iron-fortified formulas. Some studies have shown that infant formulas enriched with DHA & ARA can provide additional benefits for infants' brain and eye development.
Do levels of DHA & ARA matter?
Studies that have shown support for the positive effect of an enriched DHA & ARA formula on babies' brain and eye development were conducted with formulas enriched at levels in line with those specified by the World Health Organization (WHO).1 Although there are currently several DHA & ARA enriched formulas, only a few, including NESTLÉ® GOOD START® formulas, offer these nutrients at levels similar to those specified by the WHO.
If you choose to use formula, consult with your baby's doctor about the best choice for her.
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