A fetus’ food source stems from the placenta lining the uterus. Essentially, a portion of the mother’s ingested food is being delivered to nourish the unborn baby. Hence, it is key to meet the mothers’ nutritional needs to ensure the health of both babies and mothers are kept in tip-top condition. This is where drinking pregnancy milk can be of help to expecting mothers.
Carrying another life in your body is no easy feat. Pregnancy could involve symptoms like morning sickness, acid reflux, and cravings which would make achieving adequate nutrition difficult.
Pregnancy milk is specially formulated to help mothers address these nutritional gaps. It fulfils both mothers’ and babies’ needs efficiently as it is easily digested.
Should Pregnant Women Drink Milk
Milk can be a valuable addition to a pregnant woman’s diet! Milk, whether cow’s milk or fortified plant-based alternatives like soy milk, provides essential nutrients such as calcium and protein that are crucial for both the mother’s health and the development of the baby’s bones and teeth.
Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy helps in preventing conditions like osteoporosis and ensures the growing baby receives proper nourishment.
Benefits of Drinking Milk During Pregnancy
Drinking milk during pregnancy offers several benefits that contribute to the health and well-being of both the mother and the growing baby. While your appetite might change during this time, focusing on the quality of the foods you consume is key. Here are some reasons why including milk in your pregnancy diet can be beneficial:
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Calcium Boost: Milk is a fantastic source of calcium, a mineral crucial for the development of your baby’s bones and teeth. It also supports your own bone health during pregnancy and helps prevent the depletion of your calcium stores.
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Protein Power: Milk is rich in high-quality protein, which is essential for your baby’s tissue growth and repair. Protein also helps you maintain your energy levels and supports the development of your placenta.
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Vitamin D: Many types of milk are fortified with vitamin D, which aids in the absorption of calcium and promotes bone health for both you and your baby.
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Hydration: Staying hydrated is essential during pregnancy, and milk contributes to your daily fluid intake. Proper hydration helps maintain amniotic fluid levels and supports your body’s various functions.
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Prenatal Nutrients: Some types of milk, like fortified soy milk, contain essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, and other vitamins and minerals that are vital for your baby’s growth and development.
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Gestational Diabetes Prevention: Choosing milk with a low glycemic index, like unsweetened cow’s milk or fortified almond milk, can help stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: If you opt for fortified pregnancy milk varieties, you can benefit from added omega-3 fatty acids, which support fetal brain and eye development.
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Snacking Alternative: A glass of milk can be a satisfying and nutritious snack option that helps curb pregnancy cravings and keeps you feeling full between meals.
When it comes to timing, it’s a good idea to start incorporating milk into your diet even before you conceive. Calcium plays a fundamental role in the early stages of fetal development, including the formation of the baby’s bones and organs.
However, the significance of milk and its nutrients becomes even more pronounced as the pregnancy progresses. Maintaining a consistent intake of calcium-rich foods throughout pregnancy is crucial to support the baby’s growth.
Essential Ingredients Packed In Pregnancy Milk You Need to Know
Some of the essential ingredients packed in maternal milk are:
Calcium
The additional weight of the foetus puts extra stress on the pelvic and lower limb bones.
Women are more susceptible to osteoporosis; hence, calcium is an important mineral to include daily to maintain bone health, which is imperative to the quality of life.
This pregnant milk also helps babies in the development of their skeletal structures.
Iron
Iron is particularly important for women and it is even more so for expecting mothers. You need Iron during pregnancy to produce more haemoglobin and deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the developing foetus.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid which supports cognitive development in babies. Fetal development is an important phase in which DHA builds up in the brain as one of the specialised tissues.
Having higher DHA levels during pregnancy is akin to being given a head start when it comes to visual and cognitive development.
Choline
Choline is helpful so the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) develop properly. It also helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Folic Acid
Folic acid plays a similar role as choline in fetal development, particularly during early pregnancy. You can get this from drinking milk for pregnant.
Probiotics
Probiotics help with efficient delivery of nutrients to the baby and support mothers’ gut health.
Which Milk is Good for Pregnancy
When it comes to choosing the right milk for pregnancy, there are a few options to consider. Cow’s milk and fortified plant-based alternatives like soy milk are both good choices. These milk options provide essential nutrients such as calcium and protein, which are vital for both the mother’s health and the development of the baby’s bones and teeth.
Calcium, in particular, plays a crucial role in supporting the growing baby’s needs. When selecting milk, it’s important to opt for varieties that are fortified with nutrients like vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption.
Remember that individual preferences and dietary restrictions may also influence your choice of milk. Consulting with your healthcare provider can provide personalised guidance on the best milk option for your pregnancy journey.
The market presents a variety of options for pregnancy milk, but keep in mind that the best milk for pregnant should satisfy the following criteria:
- High nutritional value (specifically DHA and choline). Since these nutrients may not be found in ordinary cow’s milk.
- Derived from safe, non-GMO ingredients. Because it is important to consume food and drinks that are safe for moms and the growing foetus.
- Low-fat content. Since pregnant moms must still maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
- Low sugar content. Because it is important to maintain a healthy pregnancy weight and avoid gestational diabetes.
Top 7 Pregnancy Milk Brands in Singapore
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we are here to help! We have collated a list of milk for pregnancy in Singapore that meet our criteria, for your consideration when you make your purchase.
Best Milk for Pregnancy
 | Anmum Materna Best Low-Fat Maternal Milk |  | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Frisomum Gold Best Maternal Milk for Sustained All-Day Energy | | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Nestle Mom Best Maternal Milk for Lactating Mothers | | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Nature One Dairy Pregnancy Formula Best Budget-Friendly Maternal Milk | | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Bellamy’s Organic Pregnancy Formula Best Organic Maternal Milk | | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Abbott Similac Mum Most Complete Maternal Milk | | View Details | Buy Now |
 | Enfamama A+ Best Taste Maternal Milk | | View Details | Buy Now |
Best Low-Fat Maternal Milk
Why Anmum™ Materna is Our Choice?
Anmum™ Materna is enriched with Nutri-Q plus™, a unique blend of folate, inulin, nuelipids and Probio DR10™. Nuelipid is a type of complex milk lipid containing DHA and Gangliosides (GA®).
Gangliosides promotes brain development and function in both babies and mothers. Meanwhile, DR10™ is a variance of probiotic strain which helps to optimise gut health.
Two glasses of Anmum milk for pregnancy fulfills 100% of folic acid requirement, minimising the risks of defects during neural tube formation around the end of week 4.
This milk for pregnancy can provide the necessary nutrients without added sugars and low fat formation, therefore minimising inflammation and maximising nutrient absorption.
Highlights of Anmum milk for pregnancy:
- Fortified with DHA, Folic Acid, Prebiotics, Iron, Vitamin D.
- Vital nutrients include inulin, Probio DR10™, DHA, GA®, Folate, Calcium, Iron.
- High level of Calcium (1388 mg Calcium/100g powder).
- Only 1g of fat per serving.
- Comes in chocolate or plain flavour.
Best Maternal Milk for Sustained All-Day Energy
Why Frisomum Gold ® is Our Choice?
Specially created for pregnant and lactating mothers, Frisomum Gold ® features DualCare+™, a concoction of essential nutrients which benefits both babies’ and mothers’ health. It is naturally derived from fresh pure milk, so it is certified safe without any genetic alterations.
Additionally, it is further fortified with nutrients so that mothers can achieve their nutritional targets easily without fuss.
This honey-vanilla flavoured formula has a low Glycaemic index (GI), so that mothers have an easier time maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
Highlights of this pregnant milk:
- Includes Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Iodine, Vitamin D, Calcium for healthy baby development.
- Includes Magnesium, Prebiotic & Probiotic, Choline and B-Vitamins to support mom’s health.
- Contains Iodine for synthesis of thyroid hormones by thyroid glands in mothers which manages metabolism.
- Higher levels of Iron to reduce fatigue (21 mg iron per 100g powder).
- Easy to dissolve, and every scoop is more precise with the cleaner protection lid.
- Formula has low Glycaemic Index (GI).
Best Maternal Milk for Lactating Mothers
Why Nestlé® Mom Nutritional Supplement is Our Choice?
The A2 milk protein in Nestlé® Mom Nutritional Supplement is sourced from only the best of the best. Rigorous DNA tests are conducted to select the most suitable cows in order to produce this healthier and easily digestible milk protein.
Because it is high in Folic Acid and DHA, Nestlé® Mom Nutritional Supplement does the job of fulfilling nutritional requirements with prebiotics to prevent stomach discomfort.
Compared to whole milk, Nestlé® Mom Nutritional Supplement delivers a whopping 100% increase in folic acid among many other nutrients.
As a result, this helps with growth of babies’ cognitive function and good blood flow in mothers. It is not just suitable milk for pregnancy, it is also good for prenatal and postnatal consumption as well.
Highlights:
- High in Folic Acid.
- Reduced fat.
- Sucrose free = no added sugars.
- Enriched with iron, calcium, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.
- Suitable for preconception, pregnancy, lactation.
Best Budget-Friendly Maternal Milk
Why Nature One Dairy Pregnancy Formula is Our Choice?
Pregnant and lactating mothers can look at this option made with 100% grass-fed cow’s milk.
This formula milk from Australia consists of high quality ingredients enriched with key nutrients for the development of babies. The formula also uses skim milk powder with low fat content.
The milk has a natural flavour, so there are no added flavours, colours and preservatives. To aid in bowel movement and prevent constipation, dietary fibre and prebiotic fructo-oligosacchaarides (FOS) are also included in the formula.
Highlights:
- Halal-certified.
- High levels of DHA and Folic Acid for babies’ brain development.
- Prebiotic fructo-oligosacchaarides (FOS) and dietary fibre for gut health.
- Good source of protein with 10.3 g per 51g serving of powder.
- Suitable for preconception, pregnancy, and lactation.
- Most budget-friendly pregnant milk.
Best Organic Maternal Milk
Why Nature Bellamy’s Organic Pregnancy Formula a is Our Choice?
Packed with 16 minerals and vitamins, Bellamy’s Organic Pregnancy Formula is sure to give your baby a good immunity foundation. This calcium-rich formula prides itself on its organic farming practices, from the soil to the pastures to the cows.
Also, making this product involves no man-made methods to enhance yield. Even the container is made of BPA-free material, to eliminate contamination by harmful chemicals.
Because of these, you can be sure that this milk for pregnancy available in Singapore is safe for you and your little one.
Highlights of this pregnant milk:
- Zero artificial colours and flavours.
- Contains Iron, Folic acid, Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, Magnesium.
- High in DHA, FOS and GOS prebiotics.
- Free of sucrose, glucose, and maltodextrin.
- Non-GMO ingredients.
- BPA-free container.
Most Complete Maternal Milk
Why Abbott Similac Mum?
This pregnant milk has 27 essential vitamins and minerals that all pregnant moms need. It contains the most abundant and biologically active form of Vitamin E that can only be found in breast milk. Moreover, Abbott Similac Mum is low in fat and rich in fibre and natural RRR- Vitamin E.
Highlights of this pregnant milk:
- High in Folic Acid, Calcium, and Iron.
- Suitable for weight management during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Low in fat while providing a host of essential nutrients.
- Iron is needed to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues.
Best Taste Maternal Milk
Why Enfamama Chocolate A+?
Enfamama Chocolate A+ is produced by Mead Johnson Nutrition that has 100 years of experience in paediatric nutrition. This products has 80% less fat than full cream milk and contains essential nutrients to support healthy pregnancy, such as Folic Acid, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, and Vitamin B6.
Highlights of this milk for pregnant:
- Has DHA and Choline that are found in breast milk and essential nutrients.
- Good to consume by pregnant and lactating moms.
Price Comparison: Pregnant Milk Powder
Here’s a price comparison of the best milk for pregnancy in Singapore for your quick reference:
Editor’s Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
A quick glance at this table shows you why these products are the chosen top milk for pregnancy in Singapore. We hope this will help bring you one step closer to choosing what’s best for you and your little one.
We hope this, along with other criteria we’ve laid out for you in this article, will help you decide on what to drink during your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
