Nutrition through the Lifecycle - Early years Flashcards
Why is adequate nutrition during the first year of life important?
- growth occurs more rapidly than at any other stage of life
- eating/dietary habits are formed at this age
- aids cognitive and motor development
- aids digestive system maturation
What are some factors associated with infant mortality?
- maternal health
- socio-economical status
- ethnicity/racial group
- access to medical care
- teenage pregnancy
- multiple births
describe the term ‘weaning’.
weening describes the process of transitioning from a milk only diet to the inclusion of solid foods
When should weening begin?
After 6 months
definitely not before 4 months
What measures are used to measure child growth?
- weight
- length
- head circumference
What does the percentile graph show?
a child’s size compared to children of the same age who have shown optimal growth
What are some common reasons to begin weaning?
What signs might a baby show to indicate they are ready for solid food?
- physical signs e.g., baby putting fist in mouth
- not gaining adequate weight
- mother can establish a work/life balance e.g., partner can feed baby
- hunger signs e.g., baby may not be satisfied at end of feeding
- marketing manipulation e.g., baby food advertised for 4+ months
what are 3 developmental signs that a baby is ready to start weaning?
- baby can sit upright and hold their head up
- good hand, eye, mouth co-ordination
- baby can swallow food (baby that is not ready will spit food out)
What are the two types of weaning?
- spoon fed
- baby led
What are some benefits of baby led weaning?
- infants can develop better appetite regulation
- infants become familiar with family mealtimes
What is a consequence of late weaning?
- when should new flavours and textures be introduced?
infants miss a sensitive period where they are more accepting of new flavours and textures.
lumpy textures should be introduced by 9 months
What are some pitfalls of weaning?
- start too early or late
- imbalance between amount of food and amount of milk
- inappropriate foods given e.g., high salt, sugar
- not encouraging baby to use own appetite regulation skills
What foods should be encouraged for a child under 1 year?
- fruit
- veg
- beans
- pulses
- yogurt
- eggs
- lean meats and chicken
What foods should be avoided for a child under 1 year?
- salt
- high sugar
- honey
- unpasteurised soft cheeses
- shellfish
- undiluted fruit juice
What foods should be avoided if weaning between 6 months - 1 year?
why?
Common allergenic foods:
- nuts (peanuts, nuts and seeds)
- cows milk
- fish
- egg
- wheat
believed that early exposure to allergenic foods will cause sensitisation and development of allergies.
What is a consequence of delaying exposure to lumpy foods?
affects child’s food acceptance and feeding up to 7 years of age
What are some advantages and disadvantages of shop-bought baby food?
disadvantages:
- costly
- higher sugar/salt
- can increase risk of childhood obesity
advantages:
- known to be safe/no pesticides
- convenient
- similar nutrient content to homemade
Make some suggestions for new parents who don’t have the skills/time to make food for their baby
- make double batches of food
- go to a parents cooking class
- use quick and easy sources of wholegrains e.g., cous cous/rice
What is the advice for infants regarding juices?
- given from a cup or beaker, not a bottle
- diluted in at least 10 parts water
- given at mealtimes to protect dental health
What is the fluid requirement for:
- newborn - 6 month old?
- 7 - 12 month old?
- 12 - 24 month old?
- 700ml per day
- 800ml per day
- 1.25L per day
What are the recommended amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and protein in an infants diet?
similar to adults
carbohydrates - 50% energy
fat - 35% energy
protein - 15% energy
Why is an iron rich diet important during weaning?
iron store is sufficient until about 6 months due to breast/formula feeding.
when introducing solid foods, iron deficiency is a risk.
What role does Vitamin D play in the infant diet?
What are the recommendations regarding Vit D intake?
bone health and immune support
decreasing the risk of rickets, which is re-emerging in children
breastfed babies should be given a supplement of 8.5-10 micrograms/day
What is the role of Vitamin A in the infant diet?
What is the upper limit for Vit A intake?
immune support, eyesight and healthy growth
no more than 900 micrograms/day
What is the role of Vitamin C in the infant diet?
- aids iron absorption
- prevent disease/promote good health
- wound healing
- antioxidant properties
Why is salt potentially dangerous for infants?
Kidneys have not yet developed the ability to excrete excess sodium that has accumulated
high salt diet leads to a taste preference for salt in later life = high intake
what % of total energy intake should free sugars make up in the infant diet?
no more than 5%
What is the infant RDA for fibre?
no RDA for fibre under 4 years of age - fibre should be adequate but not high
15g/day for infants aged 4+
What is recommended for infants on a vegan/vegetarian diet in terms of nutrient requirements?
What foods should their nutrients come from?
Energy - energy comes from nutrient dense foods e.g., hummus, full fat yog.
Iron & b12 - fortified breakfast cereals
calcium - fortified soya milk/milk alternatives
omega3 - linseed, flaxseed, DHA supplement.
what is the advice regarding allergies for infants?
introduce new foods one at a time
seek medical advice if an allergic reaction occurs
monitor allergies as children can grow out of them
what is the advice regarding allergies for infants?
introduce new foods one at a time
seek medical advice if an allergic reaction occurs
monitor allergies as children can grow out of them
What is the general advice regarding infant portion size and appetite control?
How can you tell if an infant is getting enough food?
infants have the ability to recognise internal appetite cues and therefore can mostly control their own portion sizes.
growth charts will indicate whether a child is getting enough food.
how can you encourage better appetite control in children?
dont force them to eat
dont bribe with treat foods e.g., finish meal to get pudding
give small portion and let them ask for more
eat in an environment without distractions
What are some tips for preventing fussy eating?
- be persistent with certain foods even if they don’t like it the first time
- allow them to eat off your plate as it encourages inquisition
- allow time
- don’t worry about mess
- don’t bribe with treat foods
- separate foods out on the plate
- get child involved with shopping/cooking
describe some initiatives that aim to improve infant health.
Eat better, start better scheme by Children’s food trust
aims at improving child nutrition in early years
new training for chefs ‘diploma in food production and cooking in the early years’
What are 3 common nutritional problems during infancy?
colic:
persistent, unexplainable crying in infants
has been linked to mothers diet whilst breastfeeding and consumption of certain foods e.g., onions.
diarrhoea and constipation
