7 Mistakes To Avoid If Your Child's Health Is Important To You

Oct 16, 2018

With a little one on the way, you're probably doing everything you can to ensure you have a healthy baby. Most expectant mothers know that smoking is bad for their baby, but did you know there are foods and drinks that should also be avoided?

Unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses could potentially be contaminated with listeria bacteria. Listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, an infection that results in miscarriages, stillbirths, uterine infections and preterm labor in pregnant women.

Opt for hard cheeses, like cheddar or swiss, instead of soft cheeses. Types of soft cheeses include brie, queso fresco, Gorgonzola, Camembert, Roquefort and panela.

Deli meats are another source of listeria bacteria. Lunch meats, sliced meats, cold cuts, sandwich meats, and even hotdogs can carry listeria bacteria. Be sure the juice from hot dogs and deli meats doesn't come into contact with foods you plan to eat or the surfaces where you prepare food.

Listeria infections are serious, especially to pregnant women, but they are also easily preventable. If you have a craving for lunch meat that you can't seem to satisfy, heat any ready-to-eat meats to 165 degrees before eating.

Fish contains nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids that are crucial to your baby's brain development. Many types of fish are safe for pregnant mothers to eat, but some contain high levels of mercury. Nervous system damage, brain damage, learning disabilities and hearing loss are common in children who were exposed to mercury in the womb.

Avoiding king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish and bigeye tuna will protect your sweet baby from mercury exposure.

To ensure you're eating enough omega-3 fatty acids, eat cod, crawfish, catfish, tilapia, freshwater trout, skate, perch, lobster, salmon, whitefish or shrimp two to three times a week.

Another thing to keep in mind when eating fish while you're pregnant is environmental pollutants. Normally, fish you buy from the market or grocery store is safe. Be cautious about eating fish you or your family caught on a fishing trip. Many lakes and rivers contain polychlorinated biphenyls.

Smoked seafood that has not been heated to a proper temperature can contain listeria. Canned smoked seafood is typically safe but if you're uncertain heat it to at least 165 degrees before eating.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll also need to avoid eating sushi during your pregnancy. Sushi can be contaminated with listeria bacteria, and some types of sushi also contain mercury.

Don't panic, we're not about to tell you to cut caffeine out of your diet completely. Excessive amounts of caffeine can cause miscarriages, low birth weight, birth defects, and preterm labor.

To avoid serious pregnancy complications, the March of Dimes recommends that expecting mothers should limit themselves to less than 200 mg of caffeine a day. That is equal to a 12 oz cup of regular coffee.

Just because something is natural doesn't mean it is safe, especially during pregnancy. Herbal remedies are not required to undergo the same stringent evaluation by the FDA that prescription drugs go through. Taking unregulated supplements during pregnancy is a bad idea.

Many herbs are actually used to terminate pregnancies. A tea or supplement you took regularly before you were pregnant could be dangerous to your baby now. The use of herbal teas and supplements during pregnancy could result in miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirths and fetal brain damage.

If you're determined to take herbal supplements or teas during pregnancy, please consult a medical professional before doing so.

We're not telling you anything you don't already know. Alcohol during pregnancy is a bad idea. Any alcohol you drink passes through the placenta, meaning your developing baby could be affected.

There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. Alcohol affects developing cells and restricts oxygen from reaching your unborn baby.

Babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome may suffer from learning disabilities, heart defects, bone and joint deformities, delayed development, behavioral problems, vision and hearing disorders and poor coordination.

It can be so hard to figure out how to eat for two, especially if it's your first one. Do you have any tips for the expectant moms out there? Feel free to let us know, and invite your friends to the conversation.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!