HEALTHY BABY
Nutrition for a healthy infant
WHAT IS INFANCY?
INFANT NUTRITION
Infant nutrition is important for development in the first two years because the baby's brain and body are growing so rapidly (Berk, 2010). Proper nutrition is critical in this stage in part it will help with reaching full potential for cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Twenty-five percent of infants' total caloric intake is devoted to growth, and babies need extra calories to keep rapidly developing organs functioning properly (Berk, 2010).
Breast Feeding
According to Berk, Breast Feeding has it advantages. These include: provides the correct balance of fat and protein, ensures nutritional completeness, helps ensure healthy physical growth, protects against many diseases, protects against faulty jaw development and tooth decay, ensures digestibility, and smoothes the transition to solid foods (2010).
However, according to the study conducted by Chabrol, Walburg, Teissedre, Armitage, and Santrisse showed that breast feeding has it disadvantages, such as it is inconvenient, embarrassing, or that it limits other activities, as well as an unfriendly social environment for breastfeeding (2004).
Bottle Feeding
Bottle feeding has it advantages which include: the convenience, the flexibility, time and frequency of feedings, and the mother doesn't have to worry about the things they eat or drink that would affect the baby if they were to breastfeed (kidshealth.org, 2012).
However the disadvantages include: formulas can't match the complexity of breast milk, possibility of producing gas and constipation, the expense of formula, the lack of antibodies, and the organization and preparation in making the formula just right for the baby (kidshealth.org, 2012).
Nutritional Amounts
Infants up to the age of 6 months:
- 60g carbohydrates
- 9.1g protein
- 31g total fat
- 500mg omega-3s
Infants ages 7 to 12 months:
- 95g carbohydrates
- 11g of protein
- 30g total fat
- 500mg omega-3s
(Coleman, SFGate)
References
Berk, Laura E. Development Through The Lifespan. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2010. Print.
"Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding." KidsHealth. Ed. Joseph DiSanto. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
Chabrol, H. H., Walburg, V. V., Teissedre, F. F., Armitage, J. J., & Santrisse, K. K. (2004). Influence of mother's perceptions on the choice to breastfeed or bottle- feed: Perceptions and feeding choice. Journal Of Reproductive And Infant Psychology, 22(3), 189-198. doi:10.1080/02646830410001723779
Coleman, Erin. "Healthy Eating." Healthy Eating. SFGate, Web. 02 Apr. 2014