Infant Nutrition

Created by: Katie FosterLocust Grove High School

Nutrition and Food ScienceMarch 2015

HUM-FL-6 Develop a nutritionally balanced diet for infants from birth

through the first year of life.6.1 Identify the roles and changing sources of key nutrients of concern during this age period.

6.2 Determine the effects of a diet lacking required key nutrients on growth and development.

6.3 Discuss the impact of environmental factors on the infant’s diet

6.4 Outline and justify the recommendations for the introduction of solid foods, taking into account the most updated recommendations on early food allergens and the development of the digestive system and oral structure.

6.5 Compare commercially available infant foods to home prepared infant foods (color, texture, flavor, convenience, nutritional value, cost etc.)

6.6 Describe save techniques for the preparation of home prepared infant foods and the storage of both home-prepared and commercially-prepared infant foods.

Infant Growth

• Infant – a child in the first year of life• Growth is more rapid during infancy than

any other time of life.• The muscles, bones, and other tissues grow

and develop at dramatic rates.• An infants healthy weight triples during the

first year.

Nutrient Needs

• Infants need the same variety of nutrients as adults

• Infants who are active have greater nutritional needs than adults.• Infants require more nutrients per pound

of body weight.

Nutrient Needs cont.

• Iron• Infants who are born to healthy woman

who consumer adequate amounts of Iron should have iron stored in their body until they are 4-6 months.• It should be enough last them until they

begin to consumer Iron from fortified cereals.

Nutrient Needs cont.

Protein• Infants need high quality protein • Supports the growth of muscles and other body tissues. • Excess Protein:• Can harm the growth of the brain.

• Inadequate Protein: • Stresses the Kidneys & Liver• Both metabolize and excrete the excess nitrogen• Not common but when nonfat milk or concentrated formula is used. • Some Signs: Dehydration, Diarrhea, elevated blood ammonia, fever.

Nutrient Needs cont.

Calcium & Phosphorous• Infants need an ample of amount of both• Essential for the development of bones and teeth• Breast milk and formula are designed to

meet these and other nutritional needs.

Nutrient Needs cont.Vitamin D• Recommendation is 600IU each day• This includes infants who are breastfed or on

formula. • Discuss vitamin D supplements with your

pediatrician.

Feeding Schedules• Proper feeding is essential to normal growth for

infants. • First few weeks baby’s need to feed every 2-3

hours• Just learning to eat• Digestive Tracts are immature

• After the first few weeks baby need to be fed at regular times. • 6 feedings a day• Four hour intervals

Feeding Schedules cont.

• Around 7 to 8 months you can feed four times a day• By the infants first birthday they can join the family

for three meals a day with nutritious snacks.

Tips for Caregivers• Be flexible• Baby might be hungry at irregular times• Look for sighs the infant is hungry • Avoid force feeding when they are not hungry• Spitting out food or turning head away.

Environmental Factors• Regular Feeding Times

• Inappropriate expectations from caregiver

• Rejecting foods – don’t be upset this is one way baby’s show independence. • Wait a few days and try to feed that food again.

• Pleasant happy eating conditions help children form positive feelings towards food and eating.

• Infants don’t have food likes and dislikes• They learn them when caregivers express their like and

dislike for foods.

Foods for InfantsBreastfeeding

• Ideal food for an infant• Nutrient composition that is designed to nourish

humans.• The fist few months breast milk changes to meet

the infants changing needs. • The composition of breast milk is very different

from that of cow’s milk or formula.

Foods for InfantsStages of Breast Milk

Stage Time Frame Characteristics 1st- Colostrum First 3-5 days

following birth.- Creamy, yellow,

thick milk- High in protein,

vitamins, minerals and antibodies.

2nd – Transitional Milk Lasts about 2 weeks - Thinner, whiter milk- High in fat, Lactose

and vitamins.

3rd – Mature Milk Until baby is weaned - 90% water for hydration

- Carbohydrate, protein and fat needed for growth and energy.

Foods for InfantsFormula

• Formula has more of some nutrients than breast milk.

• The only FDA approved formula is Iron fortified. • More of these nutrients are not necessary • Smaller amount of protein in breast milk is easier for

infants to digest. • Infants absorb the smaller amount of iron in breast• Milk more fully than the increased about in formula. • Breast milk contains antibodies (protect against

disease) that formula doesn’t.

Digesting Solid Foods

• Infants shouldn’t have solids before they are 4-6 months old.

• Infants younger than 4-6 months have trouble swallowing solid foods.

• Infant’s kidney’s are immature and can’t handle the increased load of excreting wastes generated by solid foods. • Waste includes: Sodium and other minerals• Infants excrete these wastes through their urine and

eating solids before 4-6 months due to this can cause dehydration.

• Infants have an immature GI tract and will digest the protein but not the amino acids. • This can increase their risk of developing allergies.

Introducing Solid Foods

• Signs an Infant is ready for solid foods• Should be able to sit up with support (provides

a straight passage for solids to travel)• Infant should no longer drool (control of mouth

& tongue)• Double Birth Weight• Show interest in eating solids (practice

chewing when they see others chewing)

Introducing Solid Foods cont.

1. Infant Iron Fortified Cereals are usually the first solid food added to the infant’s diet.• Iron is in a form infant’s can absorb.

2. Strained Vegetables3. Fruit• Many parents introduce fortified apple juice at this time as a

source of Vitamin C.

4. Meat – this is the last solid food introduced (digestion)

Introducing Solid Foods cont.

• Only introduce one solid food at a time• Wait 4-5 days before introducing another solid food.• Food Allergies• Food Intolerances

• Rice cereal is usually first because it is the least allergenic. • Wheat cereal is introduced later on because it is more

allergenic.• Eggs & Orange Juice can cause allergens if introduced too

early. (wait till after 1st birthday to introduce)• Repeatedly introduce new foods to help grow flavors and

texture

Baby Food OptionsCommercially-

Prepared• Convenient

• Long Shelf Life

Homemade• Just as nutritious

• Less Expensive

Preparing Food at Home

• Prepared and stored using safe food practices

• An Appropriate texture for the child• Nutritious• Prepared without added sugar, salt

or spices

Preparing Food at Home cont.

Preparation1. Select good quality, fresh food. Avoid using leftover foods. 2. Wash, peel, seed or trim foods as needed. Remove fat from meat. 3. Cook food until tender. Cook protein foods until well done4.Use a food mill or blender to process foods to appropriate textures. Foods can also be pushed through a fine mesh strainer with a spoon. 5. Add cooking liquid, water or fruit juice to thin pureed food if needed.

Preparing Food at Home cont.Storage

• Foods that are not eaten immediately after cooking should be stored in refrigerator or freezer. Do not let the food sit at room temperature.

Refrigerating Homemade Baby Food

• 1. Place food in clean container with lid.

• 2. Label and date food• 3. Refrigerate immediately • 4. Discard food after 24 hours

Freezing Homemade Baby Food

1. Place baby food into clean container. (Clean ice cube trays can be used to freeze food into baby-size portions) Cover tightly with lid, plastic wrap or foil.

2. Label and date food3. Place in freezer immediately 4. Discard food after one month.

Feeding Tips

• Avoid overfeeding to prevent the development of excess fat tissue

• Amounts of food Infants are willing to accept varies• Quantity consumed is based on age, sex, size, state

of health & food characteristics. • 6-7 months they can begin to pick up foods with their

fingers. • Holding food with fingers prepares them to hold a spoon.