Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan (Infancy)

• Infancy is the first year of life (0 to 12 months) and is the period of most rapid growth after birth
• Full Term is born between 37 to 42 weeks
• Preterm is born before 37 weeks
• Post-term is born at 42 weeks or more
• Birth Weight

  • Low Birth Weight
  • Very Low Birth Weight
  • Extremely Low Birth Weight
• Low Birth Weight weighs 2.5 kg or less at birth
• Very Low Birth Weight weighs <1500g at birth
• Extremely Low Birth Weight weighs <1000g at birth
• Infancy Growth includes during the first few days after birth, a baby loses weight (<10%)
• Birth weight doubles by the age 4 to 6 months and triples by one year
• Birth length increases by 9-10 inches by the end of the first year
• Fontanels close by 2 years old
• Fat accumulates rapidly until 9 months of age
• At birth, brain is 25% of adult brain size and becomes 75% at 12-24 mos.
• Stomach capacity of infant at birth is 10 to 20 mL, it is 200 mL by 1 year
• By 6 mos of age, biting and chewing are added to reflexes
• By 9 mos age, there is already a good closure of mouth
• Infancy Concern revolves around Trust versus Mistrust
• Nutritional Needs

  1. Protein
  2. Energy
  3. CHO
  4. Fat
  5. Water
  6. Vitamins & Minerals (Vitamins A, Iron, & Zinc)
• Energy is needed to meet infant's higher demands for BMR
• Protein is for the baby's extensive tissue building
• CHO (galactose) is needed for brain cell formation
• Fat is needed for the infant's developing nervous system
• Water is for hydration
• Vitamins & Minerals ensure optimum body functioning

  • Vitamin A
  • Iron
  • Zinc
• Complementary Feeding is the introduction of solid foods into the diet of the baby in addition to breast milk
• Complementary Feeding should be:

  • Timely
  • Safe
  • Appropriate
  • Adequate
• Timely tells that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to breast milk from six (6) months onwards.
• Safe includes foods that must be hygienically stored, prepared, and fed with clean hands using clean utensils. Measures are taken to minimize risk of contamination.
• Appropriate includes Variety, Texture for the Age of Child, Balance of Mixtures.
• Atleast Four of the Seven Food Groups of the Following Should Be Fed to the Baby Per Day

  • Eggs
  • Milk and Milk Products
  • Vitamin A Rich Fruits & Vegetables
  • Other Fruits & Vegetables
  • Meat and Meat Products
  • Cereals, Roots, & Tubers
  • Legumes & Nuts
• Adequate is to cover nutritional needs of the growing child while maintaining breastfeeding.
• Complementary Foods Should Be Given 2-3 x a day between 6 to 8 months
• 3-4 x a day between 9 to 11 months
• 3-4 x a day between 12 to 23 months
• Nutritional Problems

  • Regurgitation of milk
  • Hiccoughs
  • Constipation
  • Burns to mouth
  • Nursing-bottle Syndrome
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Allergies
  • Colic
  • Diarrhea
• Metabolic Disorders

  • Galactosemia
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)