Infant Feeding

Question 1

what are the types of milk that can be given to infants if unable to breast feed?

Answer 1

1. standard first infant formula: Cows and Goat milk based, 66kcal & 1.2g protein/100ml
2. hypoallergenic
3. lactose free
4. anti-reflux and comfort milks

Question 2

when is comfort infant formula used?

Answer 2

For the dietary management of colic and constipation.
- partially hydrolysed whey protein

Question 3

what is CMPA?

cows milk protein allergy

Answer 3

• allergy to milk proteins (whey, casein)
• most symptoms occur before 6 months of age
• prevalence 2-3% of population
• prevalence in exclusively breast fed infants 0.4-0.5%
• most outgrow during childhood

Question 4

what formulae is recommended for CMPA?

Answer 4

first-line:
- extensively hydrolysed protein feeds

second-line:
- amino acid based feeds
- for babies with severe colitis/enteropathy/symptoms on breast milk

:
- feeds with added probiotics: whey-based extensively hydrolysed formula or AA feeds with added Bifidobacterium

Question 5

when does complementary feeding start and why?

Answer 5

• starts around 6 months of age (min 17-26 weeks)
• transition from milk to a mixed diet to allow for nutritional and developmental changes

Question 6

what is neophobia?

Answer 6

• To reject novel or unknown foods in childhood, usually peaks around 18 months

Question 7

what increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency?

Answer 7

• pregnant or breastfeeding
• infants and children under 5 years old
• low or no exposure to the sun
• minority ethnic groups with dark skin such as those of African, African-Caribbean and south Asian origin, who require more sun exposure to make enough vitamin D