Infant Nutrition
Growth is the best measure of whether babies and children are feedingly amply..
Pacifiers: should only be started when the baby has a good latch
better than thumbs and fingers: can be taken away, and likely better
breastfeeding vs formula
Breastfeeding is recommended up to the age of two (WHO).
Most babies are weaned between 6-12 months in Canada; if this happens before the age of 1, formulas should be used; if after, whole milk should be used...
2% milk begun around age 2
reflux?
if baby only sleeps semi-sititng, ie in car seat...
allergies
can switch between formulas
Energy requirements (100, 50, 20 rule)
0-10 kg: 100 Cal/kg/day
10-20 kg: 1,000 Cal + 50 Cal/kg/day for each additional kg
>20 kg: 1,500 Cal + 20 Cal/kg/day for each additional kg
Sodium requirements are:
- 3 mmol
- breastfeeding
- formulas
- solids
- milk
Breastfeeding
When possible, breastfeeding is recommended exclusively for the first one year. More information...
Formula
Commercial formulas most acceptable alternative until 9-12 months of age.
Most have 0.67 Cal/ml, or 20 Cal/ounce
Types include:
- cow's milk based: most common, should be used if no reason not to
- follow-up formulas: more calcium
- lactose-free
- soy-based
- casein hydrolysates
- elemental
Can have different ratios of whey and casein
CPS has a recent position paper discouraging soy-based formulas if they are not required.
Solids
The Canadian Pediatric Society, and Dietitians of Canada, suggest exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding until 2 years and beyond.
Introduce iron-rich foods at 6 months.
- 6 months: single grain cereal
- 6-7 months: strained meat
- 7 months: vegetables, then fruit
- 9 months: finger foods
- 9-12 months: yougurt, homogenized milk, cheese, hard cooked egg yolk
- 11-12 months: easy to chew foods, cooked egg white, whole egg
Milk
Homogenized milk may be added at 12 months; 1-2% milk may be given at 2 years.
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