NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS · NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS Babies grow...
Transcript of NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS · NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS Babies grow...
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF
BABIES AND TODDLERS
Babies grow rapidly during the first two years
As they grow, their needs change
Healthy, well-nourished infants have the energy to respond to and learn from stimuli in their environment
Breast milk provides the necessary energy and nutrients
Breast milk is free of harmful bacteria and is always fresh
It contains antibodies that support and strengthen the immune system
It requires no
preparation, is
always ready
It is cheaper to
breastfeed than to
buy commercial
formulas
It causes least
allergies of any
food fed to babies
Good formula milk provides all the protein, vitamins and minerals that breast milk does, but not the antibodies found in breast milk
Formula milk should be prepared in a very clean environment
Goat’s milk is
closer to human
milk and can be
used
Cow’s milk should
be avoided: it is
too high in protein
and too low in
sugar
Energy: from six months baby needs solid food to supplement milk to provide kilojoules
Protein: needed for growth. Provided by milk or formula and solids from age six months
Carbohydrates: Introduced in the form of baby cereals, followed by starchy food such as potato, rice, bread
Vitamins: Vitamin K is injected into babies at birth to prevent bleeding
Sunshine is a cheap source of vitamin D
Minerals: Rapid
brain growth at six
months increase
infant’s need for
iron
Chicken, fish, liver
and green leafy
vegetables are
good sources of
iron
Infants have to progress to a more varied diet eventually, they have to learn to chew and swallow solid foods, to tolerate textures and flavours and then to feed themselves using utensils
Energy: is needed for growth and active play
Minerals: Calcium and phosphorus is needed for bones to develop and harden
Iron is needed for bigger volume of blood
Toddlers need 6-11
servings a day.
Whole wheat
bread or biscuits,
pasta, breakfast
cereals or hot
cooked porridge
will provide energy
2-3 servings a day.
Provides protein
for growth
Meat, poultry, fish
without bones,
dried beans, peas,
and eggs
Meat should be
easy to chew
Milk and milk
products provide
calcium needed for
strong bones and
teeth
Milk can be used in
soups, sauces, plain
desserts and custards
4 servings per day is
needed by toddlers
They provide vitamins and minerals to protect toddlers against diseases
2 Servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables per day is needed
Serve green and yellow vegetables and serve at least one raw vegetable per day
Fats must be used
sparingly as too
much fat can
cause overweight
Too much sweet
foods and sugar
can cause tooth
decay, so use it
also sparingly
They prefer simple, uncomplicated food with a mild flavour
They must eat a variety of food
Do not replace nutrient-dense food with fruit juice
The size of the plate and the amount of food should be in proportion to the child’s age
Small portions of protein food should be included at each meal
Toddlers should be allowed to feed themselves at the beginning of a meal, they can be helped later if necessary
Milk is an important source of protein and calcium and toddlers should drink at least 2 cups of milk per day