Researchers in China followed 201 pregnant women and their babies to see how the mother’s diet during pregnancy affected how much the babies weighed and grew. They found that mothers who ate more fruits, milk, dairy, poultry, and seafood had babies with higher birth weights and better growth in the first year of life. On the other hand, mothers who ate more tubers and eggs had babies with lower birth weights. This study shows that eating a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy is really important for helping babies grow strong and healthy from birth through their first year.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the types of foods pregnant women eat affect how big their babies are at birth and how well they grow during the first year of life.
  • Who participated: 201 pregnant women and their babies in Baotou, China. The study tracked them from January 2020 to January 2022, measuring what mothers ate during pregnancy and then measuring their babies’ weight and length at birth and again at 12 months old.
  • Key finding: Babies born to mothers who ate more fruits, dairy products, poultry, and seafood were heavier at birth and grew better in their first year. Babies whose mothers ate more tubers and eggs tended to weigh less at birth.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, eating a diet rich in fruits, dairy, poultry, and seafood may help your baby grow better. However, this study was done in one region of China, so results may differ in other populations. Talk to your doctor about the best diet for your pregnancy.

The Research Details

This was a prospective cohort study, which means researchers followed the same group of people over time and collected information as events happened. Researchers enrolled 201 pregnant women and tracked them from pregnancy through their baby’s first year of life. They asked mothers detailed questions about what they ate during pregnancy and used a statistical method called principal component analysis to identify four main eating patterns that the mothers followed. The babies’ weights and lengths were measured at birth and again at 12 months of age. Researchers then compared how babies grew based on which eating pattern their mother followed during pregnancy.

This type of study design is valuable because it follows real people over time in their natural environment, rather than randomly assigning them to different diets in a controlled setting. This makes the findings more realistic and applicable to everyday life. By identifying specific eating patterns rather than just individual foods, researchers can better understand how overall diet quality affects baby growth.

This study has several strengths: it followed mothers and babies over time, it measured actual growth outcomes in real babies, and it identified multiple dietary patterns. However, the study only included 201 families from one hospital in China, so the results may not apply to all populations. The study was observational, meaning researchers couldn’t prove that diet caused the growth differences—other factors could be involved. Mothers’ education level was found to influence their eating patterns, which suggests that socioeconomic factors may also play a role.

What the Results Show

The researchers identified four main eating patterns among the pregnant women. The first pattern, called FMDP, included high amounts of fruits, milk, dairy products, and poultry. The second pattern, VBAP, focused on vegetables, beans, algae, and pork. The third pattern, MP, emphasized marine products like fish and seafood. The fourth pattern, TE, consisted mainly of tubers (like potatoes) and eggs.

Babies whose mothers followed the FMDP pattern (fruits, milk, dairy, poultry) had higher birth weights and better growth measurements at birth and at 12 months. Babies whose mothers followed the MP pattern (seafood) also had higher birth weights. Interestingly, babies whose mothers followed the VBAP pattern (vegetables, beans, algae, pork) had better weight measurements at 12 months. However, babies whose mothers followed the TE pattern (tubers and eggs) had lower birth weights.

The study also found that a mother’s education level influenced which eating pattern she followed, suggesting that knowledge about nutrition may play a role in dietary choices during pregnancy.

The research showed that different eating patterns affected different growth measurements. For example, the FMDP pattern was linked to better height-for-age measurements at birth, while the VBAP pattern was associated with better body mass index (BMI) measurements at 12 months. This suggests that different nutrients from different food groups may affect different aspects of baby growth at different times.

Previous research has shown that maternal nutrition during pregnancy is important for fetal development, but this study adds to that knowledge by identifying specific eating patterns that work well together. The finding that fruits, dairy, and seafood support better baby growth aligns with general nutritional science, which emphasizes these foods as nutrient-dense. The finding that tubers and eggs alone may not support optimal growth is interesting and suggests that these foods may need to be combined with other nutrient-rich foods.

This study has several important limitations. It only included 201 families from one hospital in China, so the results may not apply to other countries or cultures with different food availability and eating traditions. The study couldn’t prove that diet caused the growth differences because mothers weren’t randomly assigned to different diets—other factors like genetics, healthcare access, or overall lifestyle could have influenced the results. The study also didn’t measure all possible factors that affect baby growth, such as maternal stress, exercise, or sleep. Additionally, the study relied on mothers’ memory of what they ate, which may not be completely accurate.

The Bottom Line

Pregnant women should aim to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, dairy products, poultry, and seafood when available. These foods appear to support better baby growth based on this research. While tubers and eggs can be part of a healthy diet, they should be combined with other nutrient-rich foods rather than eaten as the main dietary focus. Women should consult with their healthcare provider or a nutritionist for personalized dietary advice during pregnancy. Confidence level: Moderate—this study provides good evidence but was conducted in one region, so individual results may vary.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant, as well as healthcare providers who advise pregnant women about nutrition. It may be especially relevant in regions where dietary patterns are similar to those studied in China. Women with limited access to fruits, dairy, or seafood should focus on getting adequate nutrition from available foods and should discuss their diet with their healthcare provider.

The effects of maternal diet on baby growth begin at birth and continue through at least the first year of life. Mothers may not see dramatic changes, but consistent healthy eating throughout pregnancy appears to support steady, healthy growth in babies from birth through 12 months.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake during pregnancy, specifically monitoring servings of fruits, dairy products, poultry, and seafood. Set a goal of including at least one item from each food group daily and log weekly averages to see patterns over time.
  • Use the app to create a simple meal plan for pregnancy that includes fruits, dairy, poultry, and seafood options. Set reminders to eat these foods regularly and track which meals include these nutrient-rich foods. Share the plan with a healthcare provider for feedback.
  • Track dietary patterns weekly rather than daily to reduce overwhelm. Monitor baby’s growth measurements at birth and at 12-month checkups, and correlate these with the dietary pattern followed during pregnancy. Use the app to identify which food combinations were most consistent and associated with healthy growth.

This research suggests associations between maternal eating patterns and infant growth but does not prove cause and effect. Individual results may vary based on genetics, overall health, and other factors. Pregnant women should not make major dietary changes without consulting their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. This study was conducted in China and may not apply to all populations. Always seek personalized medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional regarding nutrition during pregnancy.