NUTRITION FOR BABIES

AND CHILDREN
CHAPTER 8
HEALTH SCIENCE

OUTLINE
Objective
Nutrition for infant (First 6th month)
Formula feeding
Introduction to solid food
Allergies
Nutrition for pre-school children
Feeding Skills

NUTRITION FOR INFANT

(First 6th month)
Water, juice, and other foods are usually

unnecessary during a baby's first 6 months.

Breast milk or formula provides everything
babies need nutritionally until they start eating
solid foods.
WHO use the term Exclusive breastfeeding for
babys first 6th month.
"Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as giving no
other food or drink not even water except
breast milk.

cont
However the infant are allowed to receive oral

rehydration salts (ORS), drops and syrups (vitamins,

minerals and medicines).
If possible, you may want to try nursing, at least for
the first month, so your natural immunities can be
passed to your child.
Or, consider a combination of breastfeeding and
formula feeding.

FORMULA FEEDING
If you're nursing, it's okay to give your baby formula

once a day as long breast milk supply is well

established.
Some women supplement this way because:
Formula feeding gives them a break (especially in the
middle of the night)
Formula even has some vitamins and other nutrients that
breastfed babies have to get from supplements, like
vitamin D.
Having a baby with a poor sucking reflex (common in
premature babies)

CONT
Prolonged mother-infant separation
Painful nursing
The need to return to work,
Health problem that requires medication that's not safe
for a nursing infant
Desire to let other family members help feed the baby.
Formula contains the right blend of vitamins,

including vitamin D.
Iron-fortified formula is recommended for a baby's
first year and should contain up to 12 milligrams of
iron per liter.

CLEANING AND STERILIZING

It is very important that all the equipment used to

feed and to preparefeeds for infants (for example,

bottles, teats, lids) has been thoroughly
Cleaned and sterilized before use. Cleaning and

sterilizing equipment removes harmful bacteria that

could grow in the feed and make infants ill.

FORMULA FEEDING GUIDELINE

Here are a few key guidelines for formula feeding:
It is safest to prepare a fresh feed each time one is
needed, and to consume immediately
prepared feeds provide ideal conditions for bacteria
to grow - especially when kept at room temperature
Be sure to carefully follow directions on the label
when preparing formula.
Bottles left out of the refrigerator longer than 2 hour
and any formula left in the bottle that a baby doesn't
finish should be discarded.

Cont
Feeds prepared with water cooler than 70C should

not be stored for use later.

Prepared bottles of formula should be stored in the
refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours and should
be carefully warmed just before feeding.
A bottle of formula (or breast milk) should not be
warmed in a microwave. The bottle can heat
unevenly and leave "hot spots" that can burn a baby's
mouth.

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID FOOD

WHO recommends that infants start receiving

complementary foods at six months (180 days) of age

in addition to breast milk.
Before this time, breast milk or iron-fortified infant
formula meets all of their nutritional needs.
Foods should be adequate, meaning that they
provide sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients
minimize the risk of contamination.
requires active care and stimulation to encourage the
child to eat.

Cont..
Starting solids too early can cause your baby to

develop food allergies. Your baby's intestinal tract is

not as fully developed during the first few months.
Cereal -first solid you should give your baby. Mix it
with breast milk, formula or water and feed it to your
baby with a spoon (not in a bottle).
Next, start adding other new foods, one at a time.
These first foods should be single ingredient foods.

Cont
That way you can look for signs of a food allergy.

Wait two to seven days between new foods to be sure

your baby is not having a reaction.
If allergies run in your family, wait the full seven
days between new foods.
Eight foods are responsible for 90 percent of food
allergies: milk, wheat, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts,
seafood, and fish. Berries, seeds, corn, and other
foods can also be problematic.

Allergies
Food allergies often run in families. They can be
annoying or life threatening, depending on how
sensitive a person is to the food. Signs of allergies can
include.

Stomachache
Diarrhea
Skin rash
Wheezing
Vomiting

If your baby shows any one of these symptoms after

you start a new food, stop feeding that food and call
your health care provider.

HOW TO KNOW?
Head control-upright
Losing the "extrusion reflex."
Sitting well when supported.
Chewing motions.
Significant weight gain.
Growing appetite.
Curiosity about what you're eating.

SOLID FOOD
A typical day's diet at 8 months might include a

combination of:
Breast milk or iron-fortified formula, Iron-fortified
cereal, Yellow, orange, and green vegetables, Fruit,
Small amounts of protein such as poultry, lentils,
tofu, and meat
There are certain foods that you shouldn't give your
baby yet. Honey, can cause botulism in babies under
a year old.
Babies should stick with breast milk or formula and
avoid cow's milk or soy milk until after their first
birthday.

2.0. PRE- SCHOOL CHILDREN

-

Objective : encourage nutritious foods

Feeding problems:
-Not eating as much as he use to.
-Always snacking and never finishing meals.
-Never eats vegetables.
-Is he/she eating healthfully.

CONT
Problems
Iron deficiency anemia
Constipation
Dental caries
Arthrosclerosis
Hypertension

cont
Types of food:
Starchy foods
Fruits and vegetables
Dairy foods
Protein foods
Water

GOOD NUTRITIONAL HABIT

Always serve breakfast, even if it has to be "on the

run." Some ideas for a quick, healthy breakfast

include the following:
fruit
milk
bagel
cheese toast
cereal
peanut butter sandwich

CONT
Take advantage of big appetites after school by

serving healthy snacks such as the following:

fruit
vegetables and dip
yogurt
sandwich
cheese and crackers
milk and cereal

CONT
Set good examples for eating habits.
Allow children to help with meal planning and

preparation.
Serve meals at the table, instead of in front of the
television, to avoid distractions.