Preview

Nutrition of Infants and Toddlers

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
933 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Nutrition of Infants and Toddlers
Nutrition of Infants and Toddlers
Jimmy Thomason
PSY 104
Instructor Rebecca Wilson
February 21, 2011

Nutrition is an integral part of life from birth to death. The nutrition needs of infants and toddlers are a cornerstone for the rest of the growth and strengthening of their bodies and minds. There are specific ways that we can ensure the maximum possible benefits during this period of growth. By focusing on what is most beneficial, and knowing what items need to be avoided, we can give infants and toddlers a nutritional jumpstart into a healthy life.
The first thing that is almost universally agreed upon for infants is that breast-feeding is almost always best. The values associated with breast-feeding are numerous. There are several illnesses prevented or minimized such as bacterial infections, diarrhea, respiratory infections and others. Post-neonatal death risk is lowered. Breast-feeding also benefits the baby’s development, improving visual acuity, neurological development, and long-term cardiovascular health (Papalia, Olds, and Feldman, 2008). Breast-feeding is not suggested when the mother has HIV/AIDS or other infectious illnesses. Alcohol and drugs are transferred through breastmilk, as are many prescription medications (Papalia et al, 2008).
Formula is a good alternative to breast milk when necessary. Cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and soy milk alone are not suitable for children under 12 months. They do not have the nutritional value that is needed for growth (Post, 2011). A study by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (Specker, 2004) explains that formula high in calcium and vitamin D can potentially be better for infant bone strength than breast milk or other formulas. Ongoing research is being done to ensure that formula, which has been used for decades, is the most effective nutrition possible when breast milk is not an option.
Around six months of age, babies are ready to start expanding their diet beyond just breast milk or formula



References: Papalia, D, Olds, S. & Feldman, R (2008). A Child’s World: Infancy through Adolescence (11th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Specker, Bonny (2004) Nutrition Influences Bone Development from Infancy through Toddler Years. The American Society for Nutritional Sciences. Retrieved from: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/134/3/691S.full Post Author Unknown (2011). ABC Parenting, Babies:Nutrition. Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved from: http://www.abc.net.au/parenting/articles/babies_nutrition.htm Shelov, Steven & Remer-Altmann, Tanya (2010). Feeding and Nutrition: Your One-Year-Old. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/pages/Feeding-and-Nutrition-Your-One-Year-Old.aspx

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    434 topic 1/ dq-2

    • 596 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Breastfeeding is an optimal approach in providing the nutritional requirements as well as well as providing immunity and positive long-term benefits. Breastfeeding provides the infant with all the necessary nutritional requirements for infants up to six months. For infants greater than six months in an addition with the introduction of solid foods is “an ideal feeding program” (American Dietetic Association, [ADA] 2009). Breastfeeding is lower in the United States than in other countries. One of the reasons is the increase in accessibility of formula. “Breastfeeding rates declined sharply because of the widespread belief that pasteurized cow’s milk eliminated the differences between human and cow’s milk feeding” (Wolf 2003 [as cited in ADA, 2009]). Many organizations are in support and promote breastfeeding for example, Center for Disease Control and Healthy People with goals of increasing the rate of breastfeeding mothers. Multiple benefits result from breastfeeding for both infant and mother. The ADA (2009) list multiple benefits; for example, bonding between mother and infant, essential nutrients, immunity properties, decrease in allergies and other intolerances, decrease in sudden infant death and long term affect of decrease in type 1 and 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol. There are also positive effects for the mother. For example, low risk in chronic diseases and other physical benefits as well as financial. The benefits are overwhelming for both mother and infant. In regards to benefits to society, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2014), breast-feeding can reduce infant mortality, less medical cost, more productive work force and good for the environment. It is our responsibility to assist and educate new mothers on the benefits by promoting and encouraging short…

    • 596 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eymp 3 Essay Example

    • 1455 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The babies that are in my setting will have baby food brought in for them from their parents which will be providing all the required nutrients to help them grow, the ones that are 8mths up will have food given to them that has been pureed which will include potatoes, vegetables, cheese (if it is ok on their dietary requirements because some children may have allergies.…

    • 1455 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    References: American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Feeding and Nutrition: Your Three-Year Old. Retrieved from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/default.aspx…

    • 4623 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are lots of things that can influence the health and development of a baby’s first year in life one of them is the mother's health also plays a vital role in the development of a baby. Women who enter into and progress through pregnancy in good health have the best chance of having a healthy baby. Because the developing baby receives all of his nutrition through the mother's bloodstream, the food a mother eats influences the baby's development. A baby will need breast milk or formula and his nutritional needs will grow to include small snacks and solid foods, this will then help them grow and their bones and muscles to help them get stronger.…

    • 480 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Weaning is recommended to start at 6 months when stores of iron are depleted, continuing on until the transition from wholly fluid meals to regular solid ones is complete – e.g. 18 months old.…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    We agreed that if the child could tolerate it, my partner would breastfeed until about two years of age. We knew research shows that breastmilk is very instrumental in providing for our child’s health through the receipt of antibodies contained in the milk (p. 116). Additionally, because of a child’s important need for nutritional balance, we reviewed how we could create and maintain an optimum diet for our child to receive essential nutrients. We accessed our local college library and found a typical snack and meal plan for children under 5, and a reference to MyPlate for kids, in a textbook by Lori A. Smolin and Mary B. Grosvenor (2013). With this nutritional knowledge, we could now develop a plan for our child’s body and brain development through nutrition which we hope will be habit forming into adulthood.…

    • 850 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are two methods available,theavailable, the first formula bottle-feeding and breastfeeding. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to their own child’s wellbeingchild’s wellbeing. There are advantages as well as disadvantages when it comes to breastfeeding in opposition to bottle-f®eedingbottle-feeding. Breastfeeding is good for mothers both physically and emotionally. Many mothers decide to breastfeed simply because of the benefits to the baby but aren’t aware of the benefits it has for them too. Contrary to formula, breast milk has been portrayed as inconvenient and uncomfortable in our society.…

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Nutrition and Children

    • 2227 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Children have to have a balanced diet of certain foods in order for the children to grow properly. This list provides for children;-…

    • 2227 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Aww, your baby is so cute,” these are the words new born mothers often hear during the first few months of conceiving. Women of new born babies have a decision some say is very important to their child’s development, either breastfeeding or bottling feeding. Breast milk contains more antibodies to fight off infections, easy to babies digestion, and the cost is nothing but a little time. On the other hand, formula is said to be as close to breast milk as the companies can create it, but they do not contain the antibodies like breast milk, baby’s digestion system is more gastric, and the cost is expensive. Breastfeeding new born babies allows the mother to know what is being gave to their child, know that they are getting…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In today’s society, many mothers face making the decision to breastfeed or to formula feed. After 36 - 42 weeks of carrying a child, some mothers want their body back. Other mothers want to save money and give their child a nutritious diet. Breast milk is known to be healthier, in conjunction with an amazing way to bond with her child. There are two mottos that have been heard. One saying is “breast is best” and the second is “formula or breast, mother knows best.”…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    This article is about the eating habits of children at the age of six. Pediatrics indicate that early preferences for fruits and vegetables or salty foods and sugary drinks last into age 6. Catherine Saint Louis believes that a child starts to develops his/her eating habits as an infant and that breast feeding an infant can later have a positive effect on that child's preferred diet. A child who is breast-fed is most likely to consume water over sugary drinks. Catherine states, " it's not clear what impact breast-feeding might have on a child's later diet but that a mothers eating habits do reflect the taste of their milk, providing a "favor binge" that eases her baby's transitions to the foods she ate regularly while nursing."…

    • 659 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Breast Milk vs Formula

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Breast fed babies not only get their vital nutrients but also are protected against many diseases, protected against faulty jaw development, and tooth decay. First of all, breast milk transfers essential anti-bodies and other infection fighting agents to the infants. These essential anti-bodies and agents help protect the infant’s immune system. Breast fed babies suffer…

    • 898 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Benefits Of Breastfeeding

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Breast milk is best for your baby, and the benefits of breastfeeding extend even beyond basic nutrition. Breast milk not only contains all the basic nutrients that your baby will need in the initial months but also it is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness. And this is the reason why Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Although any amount of breast feeding is good but at-least initial six months is very much necessary.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Breastfeeding is a tool, gift, and experience that a lot of mothers disregard, overlook and dismiss. This paper is aimed at proving the significance of this vital act of love. Breastfeeding not only provides vital nutrients, it also fosters many health, economic and emotional benefits. The advantages of breast milk will clearly outweigh any inconvenience some may complain of.…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Duggan, C., Watkins, J. B., & Walker, W. A. (2008). Nutrition in pediatrics: Basic science, clinical applications. Hamilton, Ontario: B.C. Decker.…

    • 883 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics