INFANCY

• Infancy is the period from birth to one year
• Full term infant - born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
• Preterm infant - born before 37 weeks of gestation
• Low birth weight (LBW) - born with a birth weight of 2.5 kg or below
• Very low birth weight (VLBW) - an infant weighing <1500 g at birth
• Extremely low birthweight (ELBW) - an infant weighing less than 1000 g at birth
• Based on Filipino standards, a healthy full term infant should:

  • Weigh between 2.7 to 3.2 kg
  • Measure 48 to 50 cm in length
  • Head circumference averages 35 cm
  • Skin is moist/soft/squishy, elastic, and not wrinkled
• Weight and Height - birth weight doubles by 5 to 6 months and triples by twelve monthsExample:

  Example:

  • BW: 3 kg
  • By 6 months: 6 kg
  • 1 year old: 9-10 kg
• Body Proportions - head is disproportionately large, the legs are bowed, and short
• Bone, Muscle and Fat

  • Skeleton is mostly cartilage at birth; fontanel close by age two
  • Fat accumulates rapidly until nine months of age
  • At birth, water is about 75% of body weight and 60% at one year old
• Brain

  • at birth, the brain is 25% of its adult weight and reaches 75% of adult size age twelve to twenty four months
  • Within the first 2 years of life, it should increase by 50%, nearing 75% of its expected adult size
• Teething - 20 baby teeth begin to erupt 6 and 7 months, complete by age 3
• Digestion and Absorption

  • the stomach capacity of an infant increases from 10 to 20 ml at birth to 200 ml by one year of age
  • The digestive system of a full term infant at birth is capable of only digesting protein, simple CHO, and emulsified fats
• Renal Function

  • infant has a functionally immature kidneys
  • Breastmilk is the best type of milk to give the baby since it is designed for the renal function of an infant
• Neuromuscular Development

  • the infant has a number of reflexes that work together to permit the intake of food.
  • By six months of age, biting and chewing are added to sucking.
  • Good closure of mouth by nine months of age allows drinking from a cup
• Babinski - A baby’s toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked.
• Blink - A baby’s eyes close in response to bright light or loud noise.
• Moro - A baby throws its arms out and then inward (as if embracing)
• Palmar - A baby grasps an object placed in the palm of its hand.
• Rooting - When a baby’s cheek is stroked, it turns its head toward the cheek that was stroked and opens its mouth
• Stepping - A baby who is held upright by an adult causes the feet to step.
• Sucking - A baby sucks when an object is placed in its mouth.
• Withdrawal - A baby withdraws its foot when the sole is pricked with a pin.
• Motor development reflects an infant’s ability to control voluntary muscle movement.
• The development of muscle control is topdown, meaning head control is the start, and last comes lower legs
• Muscle development is from central to peripheral - the infant learns to control the shoulder and arm muscles before muscles in the hands.
• First 1000 days of Life

  • The period between conception until the child’s 2nd birthday.
  • Infancy - first year of life
  • Considered as the period of rapid growth where nutrient deficiencies and poor health can have long-term consequences on the child
• On 29 November 2018, the First 1,000 Days bill was signed into law in the Philippines. Now Republic Act 11148, the law will ensure care for pregnant women and their child, from the start of the pregnancy to the child’s first two years of life
• First year of life - there should be monthly check-ups with the pediatrician to monitor the growth & development of child
• Good nutrition of both the mother and the child is an important determinant for a child to achieve maximum growth and development
• Energy

  • From birth to 5 months, the female and male infant requires around 560 and 620 kcal, respectively. From 6-11 months, energy needs are 630 and 720 kcal. At one year, 920 and 1000 kcal.
  • Recommended allowance is 120 and 110 kcal per body weight (kg) for 0-6 and 7-12 months. the needs of after which foods become
• Protein

  • The need for protein is high because of rapid skeletal and muscle growth of early infancy
  • The RDA is 1.5 to 2.5 grams per kg body weight from 0 to 6 months and 1.5 to 2.0 grams from six to 12 months of age
• Fat

  • Concentrated energy source to fuel infant’s rapid growth and development
  • Human milk, cow’s milk, and formulas provide approximately 50% of the energy as fat
• Water - An infant requires 4.5 to 5.5 oz of water per kg DBW or 10-15% body weight, or 1.5 ml per kcal food intake
• Water intake must be higher when solid foods are given. Foods high in protein and electrolytes can cause dehydration if offered without water
• Fat Soluble Vitamins

  • A healthy newborn is assumed to have adequate supply of Vitamin A in the liver
  • Vitamin K supplementation is given at birth as protection against hemorrhage
• Water Soluble Vitamins

  • Breastmilk provides the RDA for water soluble vitamins if the mother's intake is adequate
  • Requirements for thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin change in relation to energy intake
• Breastfeeding – the best and most natural way of feeding the infant
• Substitute for breastfeeding – when mother is unwilling, sick, or dies
• Wet nurse – a lactating woman who breastfeeds an infant deprived of his own mother’s milk