University of Southampton scientists have discovered that eating salmon while pregnant can affect a mother’s breast milk.

Research found that mums-to-be who eat more salmon before giving birth boost levels of a vital nutrient in their breast milk. However, they have found that it could also lower the levels of antibodies mothers pass on while feeding their baby.

Philip Calder, Professor of Nutritional Immunology at the University of Southampton, led the study. He said: “The results of the study are encouraging as they show for the first time that pregnant women who eat more oily fish pass on useful nutrients to their babies while breastfeeding.”