Infants require different amounts of energy and protein during their first year of life to support their rapid growth and development. From birth to 6 months, an infant needs about 100 kcal/kg/day and 1.5 g/kg/day of protein. From 6 months to 1 year, an infant needs about 90 kcal/kg/day and 1.2 g/kg/day of protein. In comparison, my energy and protein intakes are roughly 40 kcal/kg/day and 0.8 g/kg/day, respectively (Samuel et al., 2020). This highlights the significant difference in nutrient requirements between infants and adults.
When it comes to deciding what to feed their child during the first few months, mothers consider various factors such as their cultural beliefs, personal preferences, and medical conditions. For example, some mothers may prefer to breastfeed due to its health benefits, while others may opt for a formula to ensure their child gets adequate nutrition (Fontecha et al., 2020). The availability of support and resources for breastfeeding, including lactation consultants and breast pumps, can also impact a mother’s decision.
Solid food is recommended to be introduced to an infant’s diet around six months of age, as it provides essential nutrients that are not present in breast milk or formula alone. Infants develop better head and neck control, which enables them to sit upright and swallow solid foods (Samuel et al., 2020). Signs of readiness for solid foods include the ability to sit upright and hold their head steady, interest in food, and the ability to move food from the front of the mouth to the back.
Appropriate foods and beverages to serve to an infant during the first year include breast milk, formula, pureed fruits and vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, and small amounts of protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and tofu. Honey, cow’s milk, and foods that pose a choking hazard, such as whole nuts and popcorn, should be avoided (Fontecha et al., 2020). Water can be introduced after six months but should not be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula.
References
Fontecha, J., Brink, L., Wu, S., Pouliot, Y., Visioli, F., & Jimenez-Flores, R. (2020). Sources, Production, and clinical treatments of milk fat globule membrane for infant nutrition and well-being. Nutrients, 12(6), 1607. Web.
Samuel, T. M., Zhou, Q., Giuffrida, F., Munblit, D., Verhasselt, V., & Thakkar, S. K. (2020). Nutritional and non-nutritional composition of human milk is modulated by maternal, infant, and methodological factors. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 1-14. Web.