Good nutrition is essential for survival, physical growth, mental development, performance, productivity, health and well-being across the entire lifespan; from the earliest stages of fetal development, at birth, and through infancy, childhood, adolescence and on into adulthood.<\/p>\n
Breastfeeding and complementary feeding are a critical aspect of caring for infants and young children. Appropriate feeding practices stimulate bonding with the caregiver and psycho-social development. They lead to improved nutrition and physical growth, reduced susceptibility to common childhood illnesses and better resistance to cope with them. Improved health outcomes in young children have long-lasting health effects throughout the life-span, including increased performance and productivity, and reduced risk of certain non-communicable diseases.<\/p>\n
Nutritional Needs of\u00a0 your Baby<\/strong><\/p>\n In the first few years, your child has specific nutritional needs to ensure his\/her growth.<\/p>\n Human milk and infant formula have all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months – protein, fats, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Human milk contains additional components (e.g. immune defense proteins) that are not present in infant formula.<\/p>\n Fats<\/em> Protein<\/em> Human milk<\/em> Your infant\u2019s nutritional needs<\/strong><\/p>\n All babies are different and so are their needs. This means that babies can regulate the amount of nutrition they need by taking more or less milk, both human milk and infant formula. That is how they make sure they get the right amount of energy, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins.<\/p>\n
\nThe fats in human milk, infant formula and food provide your baby with energy and essential fats\u2014linoleic and linolenic acids, fat soluble vitamins – A, D, E and K, as well as other fats that have many benefits. Fats are high in energy which is especially important for infants.<\/p>\n
\nProtein forms part of all cells in the body and is needed to make new cells. Protein is important for your baby\u2019s growth. The amount of protein in human milk is suited to the growth rate of human infants.<\/p>\n
\nHuman milk alone is the best source of nutrients for infants and is the gold standard for good nutrition from birth up to 6 months.\u00a0Human milk provides nutrients in the quantities and proportions required to sustain an infant\u2019s growth and development during the first months of life. It also strengthens the immune system of your baby, helps keep your baby healthy and improves development. What\u2019s more, human milk can provide the basis of healthy nutrition until the infant is one year old or more, right until weaning is complete.<\/p>\nReferences<\/h2>\n