Infant Nutrition; Essential to Ensure the Growth, Health, and Development of Children
Infant Nutrition |
Infant nutrition is the description of the
dietary needs of infants. A diet lacking essential fluids, vitamins, minerals,
or calories is considered inadequate. As compared to infant formula, breast
milk provides the best nutrition to infants. Infant nutrition provide the best
nutrition during the crucial early months of growth. Infant nutrition is
fundamental to a child’s continued health, from birth through adulthood.
Correct feeding in the first three years of life help reduce the risk of
chronic disease and promote regular mental and physical development throughout
their life. Infant formulas have enough protein, calories, fat, vitamins, and
minerals for growth.
A wide variety of infant formulas are
available for various stages of infancy, from preterm to full-term neonates,
and special situations. Infant
Nutrition is essential for the survival of a new born. A team
approach is necessary to ensure the optimal health of the neonate.
Pediatricians and gastroenterologists should collaborate to understand the
child's growth, feeding schedule, and other concerns. Nurses should measure an infant's
growth parameters and compare them with previous measurements to ensure
adequate feeding. Milk has numerous compositions, ranging from a high
proportion of fat and protein to less than one percent fat.
Milk is also an important source of
essential amino acids and immunizing factors for the new born. It contains all
the nutrients that an infant needs to grow and thrive. Lactose, which is the
major ingredient in human milk, is the primary enteral source of glucose.
Glucose makes up 75% of the nitrogen content in human milk, while remaining 25%
is composed of non-protein substances, such as nucleases and free amino acids. During
the first six months of life, infants should be introduced to a variety of
foods. Eggs are a good choice, along with shellfish, fish, and peanut butter.
However, citrus juices and home-prepared vegetables should not be given to the
infant, as they can contain harmful nitrates in the soil.
Jarred varieties are ok. Stringy meat
should not be given to the child because it can be choking hazard. Choking is
one of the major causes of death among infants. A newborn's body needs a
variety of food types to grow appropriately and develop healthy organs. Milk is
the preferred source of nutrition, but there are infant formulas available for
those mothers who are unable to breastfeed. Solid food is introduced to infants
around six months of age. It is important to introduce new foods one at a time,
as introducing them one by one helps identify allergies. And while these foods
can be tasty, infants may have allergic reactions.
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