Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy

Overview of Infant Nutrition

Sahil Rawal^* The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
^*Correspondence: Sahil Rawal, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia, Email:

Received: 09-Oct-2021 Published: 30-Oct-2021, DOI: 10.35248/2161-0509.21.11.159

Commentary

The term "infant nutrition" refers to the dietary requirements of infants. A diet that is deficient in vital calories, minerals, vitamins, or water is deemed insufficient. When compared to infant formula, breast milk delivers the best nourishment for these crucial early months of growth. Breastfeeding, for example, helps to reduce anaemia, obesity, and SIDS, as well as promoting gut health, immunity, IQ, and dental development. For the first six months of life, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends solely feeding an infant breast milk or iron-fortified formula, and then continuing for one year or longer as preferred by the infant and mother. Solid foods are commonly introduced to infants between the ages of four and six months. Breast feeding infants was once the only source of nutrition for them; otherwise, they would expire. Breastfeeding is seldom contraindicated, but it is not suggested for cancer patients, tuberculosis patients, HIV patients, substance abusers, or leukaemia patients. Clinicians can help you figure out what type of newborn nourishment is best for your child. Infant nutrition necessitates the provision of vital nutrients that promote proper growth, development, and resistance to infections and illnesses. The expectant mother can attain optimal nutrition by deciding whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed the baby before birth and preparing for her decision.

For the first six months of life, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) suggest that infants only be fed breast milk. Iron-enriched infant formula is required if the baby is being fed it. When a baby is breastfed exclusively for the first six months, he or she rarely requires supplementary vitamins or minerals. Vitamins D and B12, on the other hand, may be required if the breastfeeding mother does not get enough of these vitamins. To prevent vitamin D deficiency or rickets, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns, whether breastfed or not, take a vitamin D supplement within the first few days of life. After four months, exclusively breastfed infants will require an iron supplement because the iron in breast milk is no longer sufficient. Because of lifestyle choices or the reality that some women are unable to nurse, this type of nourishment may be substituted for breast milk. Formula gives a newborn with all of the nutrients he or she requires to thrive and grow. Every child is unique, and they may require different nutrients to help them develop and thrive. Babies may also be allergic to breast milk, preterm, or otherwise unable to consume it.

For each sort of baby, there are specific formulas. If a child has a lactose sensitivity, soy-based or lactose-free formulas may be used. Some babies may suffer from severe colic and require a formula that is exceedingly mild while still providing all of the nutrition they require to thrive and grow. It's crucial to understand that some foods are off-limits to infants. For example, throughout the first four months of life, whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, newborns do not require additional fluids. Excessive consumption of additional fluids or supplements can be dangerous. Fluids other than human breast milk or iron-fortified baby formula should be avoided. These replacements, such as milk, juice, and water, lack the nutrients that a newborn requires to grow and develop, are difficult to digest, and pose a high risk of contamination. Only water can be used to prepare baby formula. Honey should also be avoided due to the significant risk of botulism. Unless the mother is instructed otherwise by a health care professional, breast milk is the safest option. Each mother-infant pair has a different nursing frequency. The infant's age, weight, maturity, stomach capacity, and gastric emptying, as well as the mother's breast milk storage capacity, all have a role. Breastfed newborns are fed eight to twelve times each day on average. Because newborns do not always communicate when they are hungry, parents are taught to feed their children every three hours during the day and every four hours at night, even if they must be awakened. In the beginning, feedings will last 30–40 minutes, or 15–20 minutes each breast if nursing.

Feeding periods get shorter as the baby gets older. It is critical to eat frequently in order to ensure appropriate growth and development, as well as to sustain milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Solid foods should not be introduced until the baby is between the ages of four and six months. This is postponed because the infant is unable to adequately digest solid foods. Infants do not have the power to push food away because they are born with a reflex to suck milk in. If solids are introduced, this is referred to as forced feeding. Premature introduction of solid meals can lead to weight gain and obesity, which is why breast milk or infant formula are recommended. For the first two days after birth, newborns normally take half an ounce, then steadily increase to 1 or 3 ounces until two weeks after birth. They will start with 2 to 3 ounces of water. In a 24-hour period, you should expect to feed the infant 8 to 12 times. Until their stomachs can hold in more liquid and nutrition, newborns will need to be fed throughout the night.