Infant Nourishment Suggestions & Guidelines for Feeding Newborns to 4 Months
In the first year of a baby's life, providing the right nutrition is crucial for their growth, development, and overall health. Here's a guide to help parents make informed decisions based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and pediatricians.
When choosing a formula, opt for a reputable brand that is adequately fortified. Till the baby is about 5 to 6 months old, food will be all liquids. Solid foods should not be introduced before six months.
Breast milk, universally recognized as the optimal source, provides all the essential nutrients in the correct balance for about the first 6 months. These include protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins (especially vitamin A), minerals such as iodine, and plenty of water.
- Protein: Crucial for building and repairing cells and supporting muscle growth, breast milk and formula provide adequate protein. As solids are introduced (from ~6 months), foods like lentils, beans, eggs, fish, chicken, and yogurt contribute additional protein.
- Fat: Essential for brain development and a major energy source, breast milk contains healthy fats, including essential fatty acids like DHA important for brain and eye health.
- Carbohydrates: The main energy supply for babies, primarily from lactose in breast milk or formula, and later from starchy solid foods like potatoes, rice, oats, and whole grains.
- Vitamins: Vitamin A supports growth, vision, skin, teeth, and bones. Foods rich in vitamin A (such as liver, butter, eggs, oily fish, carrots) are recommended once solids are introduced.
- Minerals: Iodine is important, especially for breastfed infants, as mothers need adequate iodine intake during lactation. Introduction of eggs from 6 months provides iodine as well.
- Hydration: Babies do not need extra water in the first 6 months beyond breast milk or formula, as these provide sufficient fluids.
The WHO emphasizes breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition, providing all these nutrients while also delivering antibodies to support immune system development and reduce malnutrition risks. Breastfeeding can save millions of child lives annually by preventing undernutrition-related deaths.
Additional guidance includes avoiding added salt for babies under 1 year to protect kidney function and avoid early salt preference.
In summary, a well-nourished baby in the first year should receive exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by the gradual introduction of nutrient-rich solid foods from 6 months (ensuring protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamin A, iodine), continued breastfeeding alongside solids through the first year, avoidance of added salt and unnecessary water supplementation in the early months.
This nutrient profile supports healthy physical growth, brain development, and immune function as advocated by WHO and pediatric experts. However, it is essential to remember that this information is a guide and not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.
Babies may have growth spurts at the start of the second week and again between three and six weeks. Breastfeeding mothers should eat a healthy diet to ensure nutritious milk for the baby. When breastfeeding, it's important to switch breasts midway to ensure constant milk supply and avoid engorgement. Spit-ups are common in young babies due to an immature muscular valve connecting the oesophagus and the stomach.
References: [1] World Health Organization. (2021). Infant and Young Child Feeding. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infantfeeding/en/
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/147/4/e20201040
[3] World Health Organization. (2021). Breastfeeding: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/breastfeeding-frequently-asked-questions
[4] National Health Service. (2021). Your baby's first foods. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/weaning/your-babys-first-foods/
[5] United Nations Children's Fund. (2021). Breastfeeding. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/topics/breastfeeding/index_81342.html
- To support the baby's brain development and growth, incorporate foods rich in healthy fats, like DHA, into their diet when solid foods are introduced at around 6 months. Examples include fish, eggs, and lentils.
- For optimum immune system development and to reduce malnutrition risks, it's important to follow the WHO's recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months.
- Following the gradual introduction of nutrient-rich foods from 6 months, including foods high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A, and iodine, it's crucial to continue breastfeeding and maintain a healthy diet to ensure nutritious milk for the baby.
