Abstract

Both pregnancy and lactation require additional energy and nutrients for foetal growth and milk production.It is assumed that adequate intake of fibre of the pregnant and lactating women should be respectively 28 and 29g fibreper day compared to 25g for other women. As a matter of fact, there are very few data which provide precise andrelevant quantitative and qualitative recommendations to the mother. However, the prevention of constipation,gestational diabetes mellitus or hypertension (preeclampsia) seems to benefit from a high intake of dietary fibre providedby foods such as whole meal cereals and fruits but more evidence have to be obtained. Breast fed infants are alsoexposed to non digestible carbohydrates which are sialylated and fucosylated oligosaccharides. These oligosaccharidesare not yet present in infant formula however some formulae contain simpler oligosaccharides with prebiotic properties.