Research published in October 2026 links healthier maternal diets to a lower risk of infant colic and eczema.
A mother’s diet during pregnancy could influence her baby’s health after birth, with new research suggesting that women who eat healthier diets may have a lower likelihood of having infants who experience colic and eczema.
The study, published on October 12 in JAMA Network Open, found that infants born to women who followed a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy had a lower risk of developing both conditions. The research was conducted by scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
The findings highlight the importance of maternal nutrition, adding to evidence that a balanced diet during pregnancy supports the health of both mother and child.
The researchers analysed data from more than 1,300 mother-child pairs participating in the Project Viva study in eastern Massachusetts in the United States. The women completed food questionnaires during pregnancy, allowing researchers to assess their dietary patterns and compare them with the health outcomes reported in their infants.
The study found that 26 per cent of the infants experienced colic, while five per cent had both colic and eczema.
Colic is characterised by prolonged or frequent crying in an otherwise healthy infant. Although its precise causes remain unclear, the condition can be distressing for parents and may interfere with feeding routines and sleep.
Eczema, meanwhile, is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause dryness, itching and irritation.
Researchers found that higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was associated with a lower risk of infants developing both conditions. Each additional point on the study’s Mediterranean Diet Score was associated with a 15 per cent reduction in the risk of the combined outcome.
Conversely, each additional point on the Dietary Inflammatory Index, which reflects a dietary pattern associated with greater inflammation, was linked to a 34 per cent higher risk.
The researchers also found that each additional weekly serving of seafood consumed during pregnancy was associated with a 25 per cent lower likelihood of infants experiencing both colic and eczema.
However, the findings demonstrate associations rather than proof that a particular diet prevents these conditions. Further research, including intervention studies, is needed to determine whether changing maternal diets can directly influence infant outcomes.
A Mediterranean-style diet typically emphasises vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, healthy fats and moderate amounts of dairy and lean protein. While the study examined this dietary pattern, expectant mothers do not need to follow an expensive or imported diet to benefit from healthy eating.
In Kenya, many of the essential food groups can be found in locally available foods, including beans, green grams, maize, millet, whole-grain cereals, sukuma wiki, spinach, avocado, groundnuts, eggs, milk and fish.
Including a variety of these foods can help pregnant women obtain the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals needed to support their health and their baby’s development.
The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women receive counselling on healthy eating, including guidance on consuming a varied diet and gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy. A balanced diet should provide adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals from foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, fish and other appropriate sources of protein.
Iron and folate are particularly important during pregnancy. Iron helps support the increased blood supply required during pregnancy, while folate plays a crucial role in early fetal development. Pregnant women should follow advice from their healthcare providers on recommended supplements and antenatal nutrition.
Food safety is equally important. Expectant mothers should eat thoroughly cooked meat, fish and eggs, avoid unpasteurised dairy products, wash fruits and vegetables carefully, and follow medical advice on fish choices and other foods that may carry risks during pregnancy.
Nutrition needs also vary from one woman to another. Women experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting, poor appetite or difficulties accessing nutritious food should discuss these challenges with a qualified healthcare professional.
The latest findings add to the growing body of research examining how maternal health and nutrition may influence outcomes beyond birth.
For expectant mothers, the central message is that a balanced, varied diet is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Although no single food can guarantee a healthy baby or prevent colic and eczema, making nutritious food choices and attending regular antenatal appointments can help women receive the support they need throughout pregnancy.
The study: Maternal Prenatal Diet and Colic and Eczema Among Infants — JAMA Network Open
