Nutrition For All Series- Blog Number- 2 INFANCY

-

Nutrition For All

-Infancy-



Childhood or babyhood is a period of rapid growth. As the baby is fully dependent upon the parents, they are the ones who can make their child a healthier one. As we all know that in the mother's womb baby gets his proper nutrition from mother. Through the placenta, all the essential nutrients are given to the baby.After birth, all the responsibility to nourish a child well comes on the parents. Parents should pay attention to what a child is eating. It should be understood that to become a healthy adult the nourishment through the nutrition starts from babyhood.Childhood or a babyhood period is divided into different age groups. Let's see which are these phases.

Infancy- 0 to 12 months. First-year of life.

The most rapid growth and development occur in this phase. Many physical developmental improvements are observed.

Toddler- 1 to 3 years.

The period of development of many motor skills. Parents can find out many new emotions and intellectual improvement in their child.

Preschool/ Early Childhood- 3 to 5 years.

The period of several emotional changes and social skill development. As a child develops, his nutrition needs also change. To become a healthy grown-up, proper food and nourishment is the base of it. WHO says correct feeding in the first three years of life is particularly important due to its role in lowering morbidity and mortality, reducing the risk of chronic disease throughout their life span and promoting regular mental and physical development.Now let's understand how to nourish your kids with good nutrition. We will go stage wise.

Infancy-

Infancy phase we will again divide into 2 parts. First is 0 to 6 months and the Second is 6 to 12 months.In the first stage I.e. 0 to 6 months every baby should be exclusively breastfed. Proper timing and sequence of feeding should be maintained. Infant formula should be given to the baby only in special cases. If the mother's milk is not allowed in the specific medical conditions then one should start feeding the baby with formula feed.Every time breastfeeding should be on-demand. When a baby feels hungry then only a mother should feed her baby. Aggressive feeding may cause problems.Mother should develop a bond with her baby while breastfeeding. Proper latching and suckling effect promotes good mother-child bond.

 

What exactly breast milk contains?

  • Breast milk is consists of good quality protein. It contains four times more whey than cow's milk.
  • Breast milk contains essential fatty acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
  • Breast milk contains many immunoglobulins which supply passive immunity to the baby.
  • Breast milk contains lactoferrin which is bacteriostatic.
  • Many bioactive factors are there in the breast milk which makes it more nutritious.
  • These bioactive compounds promote healthy growth.

 

Proper positioning while breastfeeding is very much important. Also while breastfeeding baby tends to take a lot of air hence burping after every feed is necessary. 

Many mothers often get worried about how to know my baby is growing properly, is my milk is sufficient or not, how much exactly he needs?

So here's the answer!All new mommy out there do not worry about your child if all the following points are fine with your infant.1. Baby is frequently passing pale yellow colour urine.2. Baby is passing 1-6 liquid stools every day.3. Baby is gaining weight.If you can see this then it means your baby is getting enough milk!

 

Another question often comes in every mother's mind is whether my baby needs some water or any liquids along with the milk?

The answer is no!Till the infant is exclusively breastfed there is no need to give water separately.Human breast milk is consists of 88% of water. Hence baby's thirst and hunger both can be taken care of by exclusive breastfeeding.



In the next blog, you will get to know more about the second stage of infancy. Where complementary food that is weaning foods are introduced to a child.

 

Points to remember:

1. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months is recommended.


2. Do not give any other solid or liquid food to the infant during this first infancy stage.


3. Breastfeeding always should be on-demand.


4. Initiation of breastfeeding should be as early as possible. It could be within half an hour after normal delivery and within four hours after C section delivery.


5. Good attachment on the breast and nipples is essential for proper feeding.


6. Proper position and relaxed atmosphere while breastfeeding and burping after every feed is important.

 

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understand Food Groups Macro-nutrients : Blog- 2

-
Image
  :UNDERSTAND  FOOD GROUPS: Macro- Nutrients You have learnt about the types of food groups in last blog. now lets understand what are macro-nutrients and its importance! Nutrients are chemical compounds of food that are capable of performing specific functions in the body. nutrients provide nourishment essentials for the maintenance of life. There are six major nutrients which are essential for life. we categories these as macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients. Six major nutrients-  Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Vitamins Minerals Water These six nutrients are building blocks of our body. You are what you eat. Hence you must choose correct amount of food items which provides all these essential nutrients in correct amount. Diet containing a variety of food items from all different food groups as mentioned in the last blog is important to get all these nutrients. We need wide range of nutrients throughout our life to keep one  healthy.  Each nutrient has specific ro...
Read more

Understand Food Groups Blog-1

-
Image
  :UNDERSTAND  FOOD GROUPS: Vadani kaval ghetaa naam ghyaa shri-hariche | Sahaj havan hote naam ghetaa phukaache || Jivan kari jivitvaa anna he purna-brahma | Udar-bharan nohe jaanije yadnya-karma || Food sustains life hence it is Purna Brahma . So it's not just about filling your belly, but it's a worship of the god. This food must be eaten in the proper way, hence proper food items, arrangements, meal timings and most importantly a peaceful atmosphere while eating food is needed. Balanced diet , it is always recommended to have a balanced diet on a daily basis for a healthy life. One must choose a variety of food items in his daily diet. Healthy diet helps you to maintain and improve overall health. Once you start choosing food correctly all your food related digestive issues any metabolic disorders start to resolve more easily.   Eating a variety of food is important to get all essential nutrients which are required for optimum health. We have always seen in ...
Read more