L2.4: Infant and Young Child Feeding

• Infant and Young Child Feeding

  What is the GOAL?

  ● Reduce child mortality and morbidity through optimal feeding of infants and young children.

  What is the OBJECTIVE?

  ● Improve the health and nutrition status of infants and young children.
• KEY MESSAGES OF INFANT AND CHILD FEEDING

  1. Initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth

  2. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life (Just breast milk = No formula, water, and other foods)

  3. Completed feeding at 6 months, with appropriate foods excluding milk supplements (Complementary feeding = Breast milk with solid food. Ex: Mashed veggies, fruits, porridge, mashed or cut pork or chicken, egg yolk)

  4. Extend breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond
• Benefits of Breastfeeding to Infant and Mother

  INFANT

  ● Provide nutritional complete food

  ● Strengthen immune system preventing many infections

  ● Safely rehydrates and provides essential nutrients to a sick child especially those suffering from diarrheal diseases

  ● Increases IQ points
• Benefits of Breastfeeding to Infant and Mother

  MOTHER

  ● Reduces risk of excessive blood loss after birth, provides natural methods of delaying pregnancies (Ex: Lactational Amenorrhea Method)

  ● Reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers and osteoporosis

  ● Conservation of funds
• Infant and Young Child Feeding

  KINDS OF BREASTMILK

  ● There are 3 phases of breastmilk and these can be identified by their thickness and color.

  1. Colostrum

  2. Transitional Milk

  3. Mature Milk

  ● Considered to be the most nutritive is Colostrum
• Infant and Young Child Feeding Colostrum (PHASE 1)

  Milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and a few days after giving birth (7 days)

  ● “Liquid Gold”
• Infant and Young Child Feeding Colostrum (PHASE 1)

  Description

  ● Thick, sticky and yellowish

  ● High concentrations of nutrients (Proteins and Carbohydrates but in small quantities)

  ● Easy to digest (Low in Fats)

  ● Has a mild laxative effect to encourage passing of the 1st stool (Meconium)
• Infant and Young Child Feeding Colostrum (PHASE 1)

  Concentration

  ● Antibodies - Protect mucous membranes in the throat, lungs and intestines of the infant

  ● Leukocytes - Protect the infant from harmful viruses and bacteria
• GUIDE TO BREASTFEEDING

  ● Breastfeeding 2 years or longer

  ● Starting other foods in addition to breast milk at 6 complemented months

  ● Animal-source foods

  ● Dark green and yellow vegetables help a child have healthy eyes and fewer infections.

  ○ Dark Green = Iron

  ○ Yellow and Orange = Vitamin A and Carotene (Carrots have carotene)
• GUIDE TO BREASTFEEDING

  ● Growing child needs 3 meals plus snacks (give variety)

  ● Encourage children to drink and eat during illness and provide extra food after illness to help them recover quickly
• Laws that Protect Infant and Young Child Feeding

  R.A. 7600 Rooming-in or Breastfeeding Act of 1992

  ● Requires both the public and private health institutions to promote rooming in and to encourage, protect, and support the practice of breastfeeding
• Laws that Protect Infant and Young Child Feeding

  R.A. 10028 Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion of 2009

  ● Expands the promotion of breastfeeding, amending for the purpose of R.A. 7600

  ● Lactation periods for breastfeeding employees

  ● Lactation stations in every private enterprise, government agency, government owned and controlled corporation.