Dairy Consumption During Pregnancy is Safe, but Only When Pasteurized
Pasteurized dairy products are safe and beneficial during pregnancy, but raw or unpasteurized dairy products should be completely avoided due to serious infection risks for both mother and fetus. 1
Safety of Dairy During Pregnancy
Pasteurized Dairy: Safe and Beneficial
- Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe for consumption during pregnancy
- Pasteurization effectively eliminates harmful pathogens while maintaining nutritional value 1
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly endorses consumption of only pasteurized milk and milk products for pregnant women 1
Raw/Unpasteurized Dairy: Significant Risks
Raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products pose serious health risks during pregnancy 1
Potential pathogens include:
- Listeria monocytogenes (13-17 fold increased risk in pregnant women)
- Escherichia coli O157
- Campylobacter species
- Salmonella species
- Brucella species
- Various parasites and viruses
Complications from raw milk consumption during pregnancy can include:
- 20% risk of spontaneous abortion or stillbirth
- Fetal infections
- Maternal illness requiring hospitalization 1
Benefits of Dairy Consumption During Pregnancy
Research suggests several potential benefits of dairy consumption during pregnancy:
- Positive association with fetal growth and infant birthweight 2
- Beneficial effects most pronounced when increasing from low/no intake to moderate consumption 2
- May contribute essential nutrients and bioactive substances important for fetal development 2, 3
Identifying Safe Dairy Products
Safe Dairy Options:
- All pasteurized milk (whole, reduced-fat, skim)
- Pasteurized yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products
- Hard cheeses made from pasteurized milk
Dairy Products to Avoid:
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk from any animal source
- Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk
- Fresh cheeses, soft cheeses, and soft-ripened cheeses made from raw milk 1
- Any dairy product labeled as "raw" or "unpasteurized"
Common Misconceptions About Raw Milk
Despite claims by proponents of raw milk, scientific evidence shows:
- Pasteurization does not destroy or neutralize important nutrients in milk 1
- Pasteurized milk contains equivalent levels of proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins, and enzymes compared to raw milk 1
- Claims linking pasteurized milk to conditions like autism, allergies, or asthma are based on anecdotes rather than scientific evidence 1
Dairy and Allergy Considerations
For women concerned about allergies:
- Restricting maternal diet during pregnancy is not recommended as a strategy for preventing food allergies in children 1
- Some evidence suggests that maternal dairy consumption during lactation may actually be associated with lower prevalence of food allergies in offspring 4
- Higher maternal intake of dairy products during pregnancy has been associated with reduced risk of infantile eczema in some studies 5
Key Takeaway
The evidence strongly supports consuming pasteurized dairy products during pregnancy while completely avoiding raw or unpasteurized dairy products. The nutritional benefits of dairy can be fully obtained from pasteurized products without the significant risks posed by unpasteurized options.