Optimal Infant Nutrition

Practicing proper infant nutrition will have life-long effects for your baby and is the very best way to give your child a good start in life. It is more likely your child will be healthy, happy and continue with good habits if they are begun early in life. The very first step towards proper nutrition for your infant is to decide whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed. It is important to consider that mother's milk is the best milk for your baby. Breast milk is designed to be perfectly in tune with your baby's nutritional needs at every stage, from birth through toddlerhood. Your milk will contain healthy proportions of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antibodies, and countless other beneficial substances that are probably not yet identified by research. There is no better, healthier, more natural nutrition for your baby than the milk made by you. If you decide to breastfeed, look into books and support groups to help you along the way. Many mothers have questions arise and it is good to know where to turn if you should need the support. There are many myths that abound about breastfeeding and you owe it to yourself and your baby to know the truths. La Leche League and books by this organization are good resources. It is optimal for your baby to nurse from the moment of birth until at least a year if not more. It is optimal to nurse your baby exclusively on demand, night and day. It is possible, however, to supplement with formula while nursing as well as pump and save milk to feed in bottles as well. Nursing can fit into almost any lifestyle if proper adjustments are made and prepared for. Breastfed infants are generally less likely to become ill, have more robust immune systems, and less likely to experience a myriad of health complications later in life than their formula fed counterparts. If you decide to bottle-feed, there are many iron-fortified formulas available that can provide adequate nutrition. Infant formulas contain nutrients for proper growth and nutrition. You should consider formulas supplemented with healthy fats called DHA. These fats are essential for optimal eye and brain health and are not yet found in every formula. It may be important to try different formulas if your infant experiences gas, pain, or rashes. There are many formulas available on the market from cow's milk to soy to goat's milk. Try to get the most natural formula possible and avoid hydrogenated fats, large amounts of simple sugars, and lots of additives, dyes, etc. If possible, ask a reliable doctor, naturopath, or someone you trust about the best formula for your baby. When your infant is about six months old, solid foods may be introduced. Be mindful not to start solid foods unless your infant has shown signs of readiness. Signs of readiness include demonstrating good head control, the ability to sit, and the loss of the tongue thrust reflex. You may also notice your baby becoming very interested in your food with the desire to try it. It is normal for a baby of four months to begin to show readiness and yet some other babies don't have genuine interest until over a year. In general, the longer you wait to introduce solids, the better. This delays any allergen response and allows your baby's intestines to mature enough to be able to handle food. You may begin with pureed fruits and vegetables. Raw, ripe, and soft is best. Bananas, grapes, avocado, papaya, mango, applesauce, pears, and the like are good places to start. You may add a bit of breast milk or formula to the mix for an identifying flavor to make new foods more acceptable to your baby. Offer one new food every couple days and wait. If you notice any unusual reactions delay the offending food for a couple more months. Foods to wait on are egg whites, regular milk, citrus, strawberries, all nuts and seeds, wheat and all wheat products, and any food that your infant cannot chew well or may choke on. All sugary foods, food with dyes, artificial additives, sodas, etc should not have a place in a baby's diet. After your infant has started solids, your may also add water to your infant's diet. Physicians prefer water, as juice contains sugar and calories that infants do not need. The water is needed especially if any of the given foods are cooked. By creating good habits with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and eventually solids, your infant will receive proper nutrition during their formative first years. These habits of proper infant nutrition will create healthy lifelong nutritional habits and contribute to a healthy adulthood.