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 maternal 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. Milk for pregnancy or maternal milk is specially formulated to help mothers address these nutritional gaps. It fulfills both mother's and babies' needs efficiently as it is easily digested.
Some of the essential ingredients packed in maternal milk are:
Calcium - The additional weight of the fetus 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. It 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 fetus.
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 specialized 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.
Probiotics - Probiotics help with efficient delivery of nutrients to the baby and support mothers’ gut health.
Milk for Pregnancy in Singapore: How to Choose the Best Maternal Milk for You
The market presents a variety of options for maternal milk, but keep in mind that the best maternal milk 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 fetus.
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 5 Maternal 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.
Anmum™ Materna - Best Low-Fat Maternal Milk
Frisomum Gold ® - Best Maternal Milk for Sustained All-Day Energy
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.
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 optimize gut health.
Two glasses of Anmum™ Materna fulfills 100% of folic acid requirement, minimizing 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 minimizing inflammation and maximising nutrient absorption.
Highlights
- 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
- 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, 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, lactation
- Most budget friendly
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
- 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, maltodextrin
- Non-GMO ingredients
- BPA-free container
Price Comparison
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.
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 post-partum journey.
