Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Nutrients

Infants-Toddlers and Weight

As an infant characterized the man 0-1 years old, and as a toddler age 1-3 years.

Healthy babies lose some weight during the first few days after birth, but they tend to recover within the first week. The birth weight is often doubled at the age of 4-6 months and triples in the first 12 months. In infants, the weight usually increases an average of 2 to 3 kg per year until the child is 9 or 10 years old.

Protein needs: It is necessary for the protein in the diet of infants and toddlers for replacement tissue, deposition of lean body and development.

Essential nutrients: The histidine it seems to be an essential amino acid for infants, but not adults. The tyrosine, cysteine, and taurine may be necessary for preterm infants.

Sources for Infants: Human milk or iron-fortified, meat

Sources for early Childhood: Full-fat milk and dairy products, meat, legumes, eggs

Requirements in fats: Dietary lipids are the main energy source in the diet of infants and is, therefore, necessary for normal growth and development.

Sources for Infants: Human milk or reinforced with iron formula

Sources for Toddlers: Full-fat milk and dairy products, meat, chicken, vegetable oils, margarines

The adequate intake of EPA and DHA during childhood is important for future prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Dietary advice for children consistent with the advice of the adult population: an intake of DHA and / or EPA equivalent to 1-2 meals of fatty fish per week, in order to reduce the cardiovascular risk. O FDA recommends that you avoid shark, swordfish, mackerel, and the kind of perch (tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

Requirements in Carbohydrates

HONEY AND CORN SYRUP SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE.

Botulism in infancy is caused by the ingestion of seeds of Clostridium Botulinum, which are harmful and produce toxin in the lumen of the intestine. Honey and corn syrup are the ones that are recognized as the only food sources of these spores in the diet of the infant. After the age of one year, children develop immunity that is required to resist the development of spores of botulism.

Needs in Water/Liquids

Infants & Toddlers

Sources: Water, milk, fruit and vegetables. There is no reason to provide additional water for newborns, because 87% of breast milk is water.

Requirements in Micronutrients

Vitamin D

The human milk obtained from a sufficiently lactating mother, provides all the vitamins except for the needs of the infants of vitamin D.

Supplement: All infants breast-fed need a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day. Supplement to 800 IU of vitamin D per day may be necessary for infants with a higher risk, such as premature infants, infants and children with dark skin, as well as those who reside in a northern latitude, or at higher altitudes.

Sources

Infants: Human milk or iron-fortified infant milk, vitamin D supplement

Toddlers: Full-fat milk, fortified with vitamin D, fortified cereals

Vitamin K

Supplement: For breast-fed infants is necessary, the additional administration of vitamin K during the first week of life to substantially reduce the risk for haemorrhagic disease. The requirements for vitamin K newborn babies need special attention. The deficiency may lead to bleeding or haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Sources

Infants: human milk or iron-fortified

Toddlers: Eggs, spinach, broccoli

Iron

The full-term infants are considered to have sufficient reserves of iron for growth by doubling their weight. The iron in human milk is highly bio available. However, breast-fed infants, aged 4 to 6 months, you should take additional source of iron.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplementing iron 1 mg / kg / day, starting from the age of 4 months and continuing up to introduce appropriate complementary foods. Because of the lack of iron can lead to cognitive and motor deficits, some of which may not be reversible, the prevention of iron deficiency is extremely important. Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide and young children are a special risk group, because of the rapid growth leads to high requirements in iron.

Sources

Infants: Reinforced with iron, infant formula, meat, cereals fortified with iron

Toddlers: meats, grains

Supplements of vitamins and minerals should only be prescribed after careful evaluation of the intake of the infant. Commercial infant formula is enriched with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Therefore, infants who are fed with preparations rarely need supplements.

Common Problems in the Diet of Infants

Allergies: The dietary exposures during pregnancy and the early postnatal period can modify gene expression and susceptibility to disease. Avoid food allergens in childhood.

Colic: Equally common in breast-fed infants or infants who are fed with formula. Check for food allergy, incorrect temperature formula, stress or other underlying problems. The removal of beef dairy products from the diet of the mother can be useful. Give emphasis on small, frequent meals.

Diarrhea: Carefully check the weight loss and fluid intake.

Regression: Place the infant in an upright position, 40-60o after feeding for about 30 minutes. Use smaller, more frequent feeding to avoid over-consumption.

Pale, watery stools: Check for malabsorption of fat. Use medium chain triglycerides (MCTS), if necessary.