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Nutrition and nurturing during the first three
years of birth are both crucial for lifelong health and
well-being for any new born baby. In infancy, no gift is more
precious than breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best source of
nutrition for newborn babies. It helps to establish the baby's
immune system. Making the right choices when it comes to feeding
your new baby will help to ensure he gets a good start in life.
There is no need to supplement with water, juice or cereal till
the baby is four to six months old. |
Breast milk contains substances that help the
development of a baby's brain, retinas, gut lining and protective sheath
for the central nervous system. Not only does breast milk contain all
the nutrients a baby needs, it also holds hormonal factors that help the
baby's growth and development. It carries digestive enzymes, too, which
help to digest the nutrients in the milk, helping the baby's immature
digestive tract.
A nine month infant nutrition needs differ than it was earlier and now
he/she may just need three to four feedings of breast milk. Protein
containing food like cereals, vegetables and fruits can be consumed by
the baby one or two times a day. It is advisable to give well-cooked and
strained food. One should start to offer soft table foods and finger
foods at this age. Soft, bite-size pieces of food, such as soft fruit
and vegetable pieces, pastas, graham or saltine crackers etc can be
given but one should take care to not give these foods if the child is
going to be unattended in case of choking.
Infant toddler nutrition slowly begins to resemble like other family
members. It usually consists of three meals and two snacks with rich
dairy products. At this age it is important that parents don't force a
child to eat. The child's appetite has to determine what the child eats.
Parents should just make sure that the child intakes food that has
nutritional value. Avoid giving large amounts of sweet desserts, soft
drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, sugarcoated cereals, chips or candy, as
they have little nutritional value. Also avoid giving foods that your
child can choke on, such as raw carrots, peanuts, whole grapes, popcorn,
chewing gum or a hard sweet.
It is necessary that parents gather all kind of infant nutrition
information. Some parents also learn about making baby food at home so
that they are ensured about the ingredients that are being used are
fresh and healthy. One can also keep a track of what the baby is eating
and in what quantities. Parents can also follow infant nutrition guide
to know what exactly is suitable and best for your child. There are a
lot of books too available in the market to help parents with the same.
Nutritionally inadequacy or contaminated foods are the major causes of
malnutrition in infants and young children. Hence Infant nutrition is
something that parents cannot afford to ignore.
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