INFANCY

              An infant is derived from the latin word infans meaning unable to speak or speechless. Infant is a very young offspring of a human. The term infant is a young child between the ages of 1 month to 2 years. A newborn or neonate from latin neonates refers to the new born infants in the first 28 days after birth, the term applies to premature infants, post mature infants and full term infants. Before birth, the term fetus is used.

Growth & Development during Infancy:

 The infant’s first year is the time of rapid growth, next to foetal period. Healthy child doubles his birth weight (3.2kg) by six months. The normal birth length of 50 to 55 cm increases by another 23 to 25 cm during the first year. At birth the child has 75 per cent water and 12 to 14 per cent fat.  By the end of one year the water content decreases to 60 per cent and fat increases to 24 per cent. Infants have rapid heart rate, 120 to 140 per minute. The haemoglobin level of a well nourish infant is 17 to 20 g. per 100 ml.  The increase in the number of brain cells is most rapid during foetal life and in the first 5 to 6 months after birth. 

Nutritional Requirement:    

·        Energy: Infants require 108 kcal/kg. body weight.
·        Protein:  protein intake is about 2g/kg body weight.
·        Essential Fatty Acids: Linoleic acid is the most important essential fatty acid for an infant.
·        Calcium and Phosphorus:  Rapid growth requires large amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Large percentage of calcium from breast milk is retained by the infant.
·        Iron: RDA of iron for an infant is 1mg./kg body weight starting from 3months.
·        Zinc: It is necessary for normal brain development.
·        Sodium: The smaller amount present in human milk is adequate.
·        Iodine: Goitre in mothers during pregnancy leads to children born as cretins.
·        Vitamins:  The infant should meet the necessary requirement of vitamins in the diet so as to maintain the growth and development of the child. Proper amount of vitamin A,B, C, D, E and K should be given so that the infant does not suffer from any deficiency diseases like scurvy, Beri-Beri, Rickets, Colour blindness etc. and so also not to suffer from any excess supplementations.

 As growth during infancy is rapid so also is the dietary requirement. Food provides the energy and nutrients that babies need to be healthy.

 Toddlers and Small Children:

Toddlers and small children will usually eat only small amounts at one time, but will eat frequently (4 - 6 times) throughout the day, so snacking is strongly encouraged.

Feeding tips:

• Feeding solids too early is not recommended and can result in overfeeding.
• Offer only one new food at a time. Offer the new foods for a few days. Watch for allergic reactions (hives, vomiting, diarrhea).
• Do not feed solids in a bottle.
• If your child dislikes the new food, try giving it again later.

SAFETY DURING MEALTIMES

• Feed the baby directly from the jar only if you use the entire jar contents, otherwise use a dish to prevent contamination with food-borne illness.
• Opened containers of baby's food should be covered and stored in a refrigerator for no longer than 2 days.
• Use a small spoon to feed the baby.
• A baby put to bed with a bottle (milk, fruit juice, or sweetened beverage) can develop bottle mouth, resulting in tooth decay. Use plain water if a bottle is necessary.
• Avoid foods that may cause the baby to choke -- popcorn, nuts, potato chips, whole kernel corn, berries, grapes, hot dogs, raw vegetables, raisins, dry flake cereals.

OTHER TIPS

• Water can be offered between feedings.
• Feeding sweets or sweetened beverages is not recommended, because they will spoil the appetite and contribute to tooth decay.
• Salt, sugar, and strong spices are not recommended.
• Caffeine products are not recommended (soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate).
• A fussy baby may need attention, rather than food.

                              

                                   

The word Nutrition is derived from ‘nutricus‘ which means to ‘suckle at the breast’.  Mother’s milk is a natural food for the infant which contains all the necessary requirements for the baby. The advantages can be considered under nutritional, immunological, psychological, economical and physiological and other factors.

Thus, “Breastfeeding is a natural “safety net” against the worst effects of poverty. If the child survives the first month of life (the most dangerous period of childhood) then for the next four months or so, exclusive breastfeeding goes a long way toward canceling out the health difference between being born into poverty and being born into affluence …. It is almost as if breastfeeding takes the infant out of poverty for those first few months in order to give the child a fairer start in life and compensate for the injustice of the world into which it was born.” ~James P. Grant, former Executive Director, UNICEF.