Early nutrition, growth, and cognitive development of infants from birth to 2 years of age is a critical period because of rapid growth and brain development. During this period, nutrition and environmental factors play important roles in the growth and cognitive development of a child. It has a substantial influence on long-term health and development. Proper nutrition is significant in lowering morbidity and mortality, reducing the rate of chronic disease throughout their life span, and promoting regular mental and physical development.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk has always been, and will continue to be, the perfect way to feed babies. Breastfeeding is associated with healthier body composition. Milk feeding in the first 4 to 6 months of life and complementary feeding period up to the age of 2 years provide proper nutrition. In the initial stage, each milk feed is a full meal by itself since it already provides all the calcium, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals a baby requires daily. Breast milk contains all the nutrients, fatty acids, antibodies, and immune properties. Children who had been breastfed for at least 12 months were more likely to have lower fat mass at the age of 4 years than non-breastfed children. Breast-fed infants were also reported to have a lower risk of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressures, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. It is the major source of a baby’s nutrition throughout the first year. Continue offering milk before the introduction of solid food until around the baby's eight months of age.
Fruits and Vegetables
As babies drink less milk their need for solid food like fruits and vegetables increases. All kinds of fruits and vegetables can be offered from the age of six months. Vegetables can be boiled, steamed, or microwaved until they are soft and then served. In the case of fruits also, try ripe bananas, sweet potatoes, and peeled apples which are soft and can be fed to the infant. Fruits and vegetables are the ideal way to provide babies with important nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals. Offering one new type of food at a time can be helpful to examine taste preferences as well as watch out for potential allergies. As the baby grows, it's necessary to expand the variety of the fruit that is offered.
Cereals and grains
Wholegrain cereals contain more fiber and possess adequate nutritional value. Foods containing Iron-fortified rice cereal can be offered from the baby's six months onwards. Gradually increase your baby’s dietary intake to include whole wheat and other cereals.
Eggs, fish, and meat
Once the baby reaches eight to 10 months, he/she is ready for more complex foods. Boiled egg yolk, fish without bones, or cooked and pureed tender meat will provide her muscle-building nutrients such as protein and essential iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Meat needs to be well cooked until it is very tender and can only be given in small amounts.
An infant's nutrition
and growth is more than just making the right food choices or efficiently
organizing feeding schedules. To make foods interesting, always try to offer
varied tastes, flavors, and colored food to avoid meal times from becoming
boring. Also in
small amounts and more frequently aid digestion, and avoid stomach distension. Proper food habit is also about infusing values that will help them stay fit and strong – physically, mentally and emotionally – and equipping them with good vibes they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.
Famous health transformational coach Vidhi Beri has a wide
range of experience in lactation and nutritional counseling of infants and
toddlers and has shared many valuable tips with the new mother. For more
details kindly have a visit the official website.
