The baby’s skin color is determined by the genetic factors of both parents. Therefore, if the parents have naturally fair skin, it’s natural for the baby to be born with fair, pinkish skin. However, even if parents have darker skin, they can still help their baby have fair skin by following these nutritional guidelines for pregnant women.
Chicken Eggs Enhance Nutrition for Mother and Baby
Free-range chicken eggs are excellent for pregnant women and newborns as they help replenish blood for both mother and baby, contributing to smoother and fairer skin for the baby. Chicken eggs are very healthy and safe for pregnant women. 100 grams of chicken eggs contain: 14.8 grams of protein; 11.5 grams of lipids; 0.7 mg of vitamin A. Pregnant women should consume 3-4 free-range chicken eggs per week to supplement nutrition for both themselves and their babies.
Fruits Rich in Vitamin C Improve Baby’s Skin Tone
If parents have naturally darker skin, pregnant women should consume plenty of vitamin C-rich foods. These foods help boost the immune system and improve dark skin pigmentation. A diet rich in vitamin C can contribute to fairer and smoother skin for the baby.
Foods high in vitamin C are mainly found in fruits that are beneficial for the health and nutrition of pregnant women, such as apples, oranges, lemons, tomatoes, grapes, and pomelos. Apples, in particular, are effective in increasing red blood cell count and promoting fairer skin in babies.
Pregnant women can eat fresh fruit directly or juice them. However, it’s crucial to choose fruits from clean sources, free of pesticides, insecticides, and preservatives, as these can harm both the mother and the baby.
Coconut Water Promotes Fairer and Smoother Baby Skin
Coconut water contains vitamins A, E, and C, which are beneficial for improving the skin of both mother and baby, contributing to smoother and fairer skin for the newborn. Coconut water is also a refreshing beverage, readily available and easy to drink, so pregnant women can consume it regularly.
Furthermore, coconut water contains minerals like potassium, calcium, and chloride, which boost the immune system, strengthen bones, and replenish water and salt deficiencies in pregnant women. Drinking coconut water also helps maintain amniotic fluid levels and contributes to smoother baby skin.
Note: The folk belief that bathing a newborn in coconut water will make their skin fairer is not advisable. A newborn’s skin is very thin and delicate, and their immune system is weak. Contact with coconut water can easily lead to infections and is not good for the baby’s skin or overall health.
**See the top best maternity milk:**
Black Bean Water Effectively Whitens Baby Skin
Although black bean water is dark in color, it effectively helps brighten baby skin. You can buy black beans, wash them, dry them, roast them until fragrant, then simmer them until soft, let them cool, and drink the resulting liquid.
Pregnant women should drink 1-2 liters of black bean water daily to cool down the body, promote smoother skin, and treat acne and prickly heat. Black bean water is particularly effective in relieving constipation, a common problem during pregnancy. A healthy mother gives birth to a healthy and beautiful baby.
Healthy Foods for Mother and Baby
Pregnant women can eat seafood like sea crabs and sea fish, which are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, beneficial for the baby’s brain development. However, they should limit seafood consumption due to the potential risk of mercury poisoning.
Instead, pregnant women can consume freshwater fish and crabs to supplement their intake of fatty acids that protect skin cells and increase skin elasticity. With adequate nutrition, the baby will be born not only intelligent but also with healthy, smooth, and fair skin.
Avocados are Very Good for Pregnant Women
Avocados not only contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which help boost the baby’s brain development, but also a large amount of vitamins C and E, which are beneficial for collagen production, contributing to firmer and smoother baby skin.
Note: Pregnant women should avoid eating avocados during the last three months of pregnancy because they contain high levels of fat that only benefit the mother’s body. During this period, the baby’s skin begins to stretch in preparation for birth, and consuming avocados is not beneficial for either the mother or the baby.
See more:
1. Guide to newborn skincare with a specialist doctor
2. Is neonatal jaundice dangerous?
3. 10 BEST skincare products for babies
