Infant Nutrition 1 Infant Beverages D r i

Infant Nutrition 1

Infant Beverages D r i n k These: � Breast milk � Iron-fortified infant formula, including soybased formula Instead of These: � Fruit juice � Cow’s milk, lactose-free milk or nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages such as soy or rice milk for infants less than 12 months (unless medically necessary) 2

Infant Beverages Breast milk: ◦ Meets all nutritional needs of an infant and promotes health and development ◦ Protects infants from many illnesses and diseases including diarrhea, respiratory disease, SIDS, allergies and ear infections ◦ Reduces the risk of childhood obesity ◦ Is associated with improved mental development 3

Infant Beverages Iron-fortified infant formula: ◦ Is an acceptable alternative to breast milk and is specially formulated to have the right balance of nutrients ◦ Includes iron which is a very important nutrient during the first year Does not protect infants against illness and disease as well as breast milk 4

Infant Beverages Fruit juice: ◦ Provides less nutrients and fiber than whole baby food fruits and vegetables because of what is lost when juice is processed ◦ Drinking too much may be linked to becoming overweight or obese and is associated with tooth decay and diarrhea Cow, lactose-free, soy and rice milk do not contain the right amounts of nutrients infants need and can harm their health 5

How to Feed a Baby Using a Bottle How to feed with a bottle ◦ Hold baby & bottle during feeding Why propping a bottle is not allowed ◦ Choking, suffocation, ear infections, tooth decay, less cuddling & human contact Do not let baby carry bottle around ◦ Tooth decay, drink too much, share bottles, liquid spoil, glass bottle can break 6

Preventing Tooth Decay � Baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries caused by: ◦ Babies with teeth fall asleep with bottle in mouth ◦ Babies who drink from bottle (or sippy cup) with juice, sweet liquid, formula for long periods 7

Preventing Tooth Decay To prevent tooth decay: � Feed only breastmilk or formula from a bottle � No juice in bottle, only in cup; do not feed more than 4 ounces of juice/day � Bottle only at feeding time, not naps � No bottles in crib, playpen, no propping � If pacifier, only plain, nothing on it � Do not use cold bottle of juice for teething pain � Do not let baby carry around sippy cup 8

Preventing Tooth Decay To prevent tooth decay (continued) No water with honey, sugar, or corn syrup, soda, sweet iced tea, juice drinks, or other sweet drinks in bottle or cup Do not feed sweet or sticky foods Gradually shift bottle feedings to cup feedings between 6 and 12 months Discuss cleaning baby’s teeth/gums with parents/providers 9

Feeding Solid Foods Do not introduce solid food and fruit juice before 4 -6 months because it may lead to: ◦ a decrease in the intake of breast milk or formula ◦ choking, digestive problems, food allergies or intolerances 10

Feeding Solid Foods Do not wait to introduce solid foods later than 6 months because it may lead to: ◦ the inability to accept different food textures ◦ reduced motor development (e. g. chewing) ◦ decreased nutrient intake 11

Infant Foods EA T THESE: � Iron-fortified infant cereal INSTEAD OF THESE: � Commercially prepared cereal mixtures (cereal with fruit) � Low-iron infant cereals � Cereals designed for older children and adults � Sweetened grains/baked goods for breakfast (e. g. donuts, cinnamon rolls, toaster pastries, muffins) � Cereals that present choking hazards

Fruit/Vegetable Offer a variety of baby food fruits and vegetables including: • Commercially prepared baby fruits and vegetables • Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables • Canned fruits in their natural juices or water • Canned vegetables with no added salt 13

Commercially-Prepared Vegetables and Fruits �Must list vegetable or fruit as first ingredient �Plain vegetables and fruits 14

Commercially-Prepared Vegetables and Fruits Not creditable �Cereals, desserts, puddings listing fruit as the first ingredient �Fruit or vegetable listing water as the first ingredient 15

Home-Prepared Fruits and Vegetables Avoid vegetables high in nitrates until 6 months: Beets, carrots, collard greens, spinach, turnips 16

Meat/Meat Alternates Offer lean protein sources such as ground well-cooked lean beef, pork, skinless chicken and turkey, fish, legumes (e. g. cooked dry beans and peas), natural cheese, egg yolk 17

Meat/Meat Alternates Do Not Serve Processed meats such as bacon, beef jerky, bologna, hot dogs, liverwurst, pepperoni, sausage, Polish sausage Fried or pre-fried breaded meats including chicken nuggets, chicken patties, corn dogs, fish sticks Meat and meat alternates that present choking hazards or food allergies 18

Meat and Meat Alternates Not creditable: Fish Sticks Hot dogs “Baby Food” meat sticks Home canned meats Commercial-Prepared Combination Dinners 19

Foods to Avoid Sweeteners and Sweetened Foods: “Baby Food” Desserts Cakes, cookies, candy Chocolate Added sugar, syrup, etc. 20

Foods to Avoid Honey and corn syrup: either plain or in foods Artificial Sweeteners 21

The opportunities to provide young children with a healthy start are unlimited – and very rewarding – for parents and caregivers 22

Websites Ø Ø USDA Feeding Infants http: //www. fns. usda. gov/tn/resources/feeding_infants. html Ellyn Satter How to Feed Children http: //www. ellynsatter. com/how-to-feed-i-24. html 23