Infant nutrition
Infant Nutrition
Infant nutrition refers to the dietary needs of infants, a period that spans from birth to one year of age. It is a critical phase of growth and development, and thus, requires optimal nutrition to support these processes.
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Infants have unique nutritional needs that differ significantly from those of older children and adults. Their rapid growth, coupled with their developing organ systems, necessitates a diet that is rich in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Breastfeeding[edit | edit source]
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients for the first six months of life, and it also offers health benefits for both the mother and the infant.
Formula Feeding[edit | edit source]
When breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula is a suitable alternative. Infant formulas are designed to mimic breast milk and provide a balanced nutrition for infants. They are fortified with necessary nutrients including Vitamin D and iron.
Introduction of Solid Foods[edit | edit source]
The introduction of solid foods is a significant milestone in infant nutrition. The WHO recommends introducing solid foods at six months of age. This should be done gradually, starting with pureed foods and progressing to more textured foods as the infant's feeding skills develop.
Nutritional Requirements[edit | edit source]
The nutritional requirements of infants are high, due to their rapid growth and development. These requirements include high energy needs, adequate protein for growth, and essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, and zinc.
Common Nutritional Problems[edit | edit source]
Common nutritional problems in infants include malnutrition, iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin D deficiency. These conditions can have serious consequences on an infant's growth and development, and thus, early detection and treatment are crucial.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Proper infant nutrition is essential for optimal growth and development. It involves a balance of breastfeeding or formula feeding, the timely introduction of solid foods, and meeting the high nutritional requirements of this age group.
.svg){kind=icon} | This pediatrics article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
 | This nutrition-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
