PLAYING: 8-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
8-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
BABY DEVELOPMENT
Your baby is getting to be quite the human being! Their fingers and toes are fully formed and they are starting to move their limbs on purpose now. Their small intestine is still growing - it will reach 2.85 metres at birth, which is pretty impressive in someone so small, and their genitourinary tract is on its way as well. As for the sex of your baby, although it is already genetically defined, it isn’t visible yet. At the end of the eighth week, baby’s heart and vascular systems will be in place. By the time you get your next ultrasound, the pounding of their heart may now be audible, beating at an impressive rate of 130 - 160 bpm (beats per minute)!
YOUR BODY
It’s around week 8 that you may start to notice your figure changing. Some women may lose a little weight while others are already starting to gain some. Pregnancy often shows surprisingly early.
You stand on the scales and see that you have not gained any weight, even though there is a child on the way? Weight gain recommendations assume that during the first trimester women gain only about 0.5 – 2.0 kg. And, if you begin your pregnancy at a healthy weight, there is no need to add any extra calories to your diet during the first trimester. Weight gain recommendations are based on your body height and weight before you became pregnant.
NUTRITION
Time to get hydrated! You should be maintaining good hydration while pregnant.
It is an essential component of your blood, of which the volume has increased significantly since the beginning of your pregnancy to ensure you pass on the necessary nutrition for your baby. It is therefore essential to avoid dehydration while maintaining this increased blood volume. Experts recommend limiting the amount of caffeine you drink during pregnancy to no more than 300 mg (2 cups of coffee) per day. Instead, stock your cupboards with a range of tempting caffeine-free options. And, if you’re not yet in the habit of drinking water with meals and throughout the day, now is a good time to start.
TIPS
It’s good to know that weight gain varies among women in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the recommended optimal range of weight gain e for you.
Reference
Sick Kids. About Kids Health. The first trimester: Month three. 2009. The first trimester: Month three (aboutkidshealth.ca) Accessed August 2021.
Join
Your parenting instincts, our support
SIGN UP & GET A CHANCE TO WIN
Sign up for Nestlé Baby & me and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100* gift card!
For full details, please visit the Terms & Conditions.
PERSONALIZED EMAILS & SUPPORT
Receive customized email updates with useful info, special offers, and product suggestions to help guide you through each parenting phase and celebrate your milestones along the way.
HELPFUL TOOLS & RESOURCES
Need a hand with something? We’ve got you covered! Access our helpful and interactive parenting tools and resources like calendars, calculators, checklists, and healthy recipes in one convenient hub.
EXPERT GUIDANCE
We offer science-based advice and specialized nutritional guidance for every stage of the parenting journey—from preconception to toddlerhood.
*When registration is during pregnancy. If your baby’s already been born, expect to see your kit within a month
Still haven't found what you are looking for?
Try our new smart question engine.