Nutrient Requirements
An infant’s requirement for calories depends on size, rate of growth, amount of activity, and energy needed for metabolic activities. as a new parent, you need to know that the calorie needs per pound of body weight are higher during the first year of life than at any other time. a range of recommended calorie intakes have been developed because of the variation difference among infants. For the first four to six months of life, breastfeeding or formula can provide sufficient calories. Plotting your child’s growth (length and weight) on a standardized grid can determine the adequacy of his/her calorie intake.
The calories in an infant’s diet are provided by proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Protein is a basic element of every cell in the body. of the protein requirement, 50 percent is used for growth in the first two months of life, and declines to about 11 percent by two or three years of age. 40 to 50 percent of the calories supplied during infancy comes from fat. fat is also a source of essential fatty acids. Carbohydrates are the principal source of dietary energy. Water requirements for the first six months are met through an adequate supply of breast milk or formula.
Breast Feeding
All professional health organizations agree that breast feeding is the recommended method of infant feeding.
Benefits to breastfeeding are very substantial to the mother and child. Breast milk is naturally superior to formula, and it contains ant-bodies that reduce the risk of infection for the newborn child. Breast fed infants have a decreased incidence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and ear infections. the cost of feeding the infant is reduced and the very nature of breastfeeding supports the mother-infant bond.
Formula Feeding
The government of most countries have developed standards for infant formulas. These guidelines are to ensure that a formula has nutrients similar to the breast milk form a well-nourished woman. most infant formulas are formulated from either a cow’s milk or form soy, and both types will meet an infant’s nutritional requirements. Infant formula comes in both a low-iron and iron-fortified form.
The newborn infant can feed up to around twelve times a day. as weight is gained, the infant will take more at each feeding and the number of feedings per day will decrease. An infant that is receiving adequate feeds will have a least six wet diapers a day, and will appear to be satisfied after a feeding.