Unsure of what types of food to take to improve your baby's complexion when pregnant? Ms Kellie Kong, Dietitian from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, shares foods that can help achieve healthy skin.
Is there any food that I can take to improve my baby's complexion?
Research on the best foods that a pregnant woman can take for her baby’s skin is limited. However, in general, some foods have drawn particular attention for helping to enhance the skin. These include:
Cherries and berries
Cherries and berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are amongst the highest antioxidant - containing fruits. Antioxidants help to prevent premature ageing by reducing the damaging effects caused by free radicals.
Deep sea fatty fish
"Deep sea fatty fishes such as tuna, salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids," says Ms Kellie Kong, Dietitian from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group. These essential fatty acids help to repair cell membranes, which in turn help to ensure your baby's skin elasticity.
Avocado
Avocado is a fruit that is known to be rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Both these vitamins are known for their antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also helps in reducing inflammation and is essential for collagen production in the body. The production of collagen in turn improves your baby's skin tone.
Tomato
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, especially in the skin of tomatoes, gives this fruit its bright red colour. Studies have found that lycopene is able to help protect the skin against harmful UV rays from sun exposure.
In general, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health.
Nothing plays a more important role than having a well-balanced diet that includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as adequate fluid to achieve healthy and radiant skin.
Ref: O17
FAQs
It is recommended to the pregnant women that they should take soaked or dried almonds to deliver a fair-complexioned baby, as almonds are known to improve the color of the baby. You can also grind few almonds and add it in your milk and consume it.
Can we improve baby skin color during pregnancy? ›
Certain nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid tablets, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, are particularly beneficial for promoting healthy skin development and fair complexion for the baby during pregnancy.
What foods lighten baby skin? ›
Avocado is a fruit that is known to be rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Both these vitamins are known for their antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also helps in reducing inflammation and is essential for collagen production in the body. The production of collagen in turn improves your baby's skin tone.
What determines the complexion of an unborn baby? ›
Beginning at 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy, the cells that will later produce melanin – the substance that accounts for skin color – first appear in your baby's skin. The more melanin that's produced (a process that's regulated by genes), the darker your baby's skin, eyes, and hair will usually be.
How can I make my skin brighter during pregnancy? ›
Use plenty of lukewarm water when you cleanse. Within five minutes of washing your face, apply a layer of oil-free moisturiser to your skin. Whatever you do, refrain from touching or picking at spots! This bad habit can lead to the spread of bacteria and more unwelcome pimples.
Does pregnancy affect skin color? ›
A natural increase in melanin during pregnancy is responsible for areas of darkened skin, especially on the face.
Do babies get skin color from mom or dad? ›
This means that the skin color a baby has depends on more than one gene . When a baby inherits skin color genes from both biological parents, a mixture of different genes will determine their skin color. Since a baby inherits half its genes from each biological parent, its physical appearance will be a mix of both.
When is a baby's skin fully developed? ›
The development of the skin barrier increases with gestational age, and the epidermal maturation is complete at 34 weeks of age. The skin of preterm newborns in the first 2–3 weeks of life is characterized by less functionality.
Can you tell baby skin color in ultrasound? ›
However, it is worth pointing out that the colour you see isn't actually taken from your baby's skin tone. It is simply added by the software when it creates the image. Ultrasound probes can't collect any information about colour from inside your body.
What to eat for a baby to have good skin? ›
Consuming fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, two to three times a week can significantly impact your baby's skin health. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, promoting smoother skin and potentially lessening skin irritation and eczema flare-ups.
Does almond oil lighten a baby's skin? Yes. Almond Oil promises your baby's skin with Vitamin E and vital antioxidants that help lighten the baby's skin.
How can I increase melanin in my baby's skin? ›
Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.
What to eat for a fair skin baby during pregnancy? ›
drink coconut water daily eat more of simple proteins like toned milk and curds think positive as it reflects upon the complexions of both mother and baby no negative feelings for anyone also helps remember that more than fair complexion, it's the clarity of skin and thin texture which makes person look bright fair ...
How can I predict my baby's skin color? ›
Baby's skin color mainly depends on you and your partner's skin color, the skin color of both of your ancestors and exposure to sunlight, which can trigger genes that darken baby's skin. You may want to spend some time looking at pictures of your grandparents and their parents, says Stevens.
How to have a light skin baby? ›
A baby will end up being light skinned if they inherit the dominant gene from their light skinned mother and the less dominant one from their dark skinned father.
What foods help baby hair grow in the womb? ›
Consuming eggs during pregnancy is a must. This promotes good health and hair growth in the unborn baby. You can eat eggs as your daily breakfast meal or at night. Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 and fatty acids that are known to improve hair growth.
What foods are good for baby brain development during pregnancy? ›
Fatty Acids. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are mainly found in oily fish, nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. PUFAs support the development of the fetal brain, nervous system, and retina and are particularly important during the third trimester of pregnancy [10,15].
What to eat during pregnancy to have a healthy baby? ›
Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu. Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt. Oils — like vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils in foods like seafood, avocado, and nuts.
Which fruits increase baby weight during pregnancy? ›
Avocados: A source of Vitamin C, Folate and Vitamin B6, this fruit is a great healthy fat to add to your diet. Poultry: Eggs and chicken are great sources of protein. They help increase fetus weight along with the benefits of low cholesterol and Omega fatty acids.