Breast-feeding: nutritional needs - birth to 1 year
A baby grows more quickly during the first six months than at any other time in his life. Most double their birth weight in around four months and triple it by the time they are about a year old.
© DK
In order to grow, your baby needs protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Until he's at least six months old your baby will receive these in the form of milk. When he's started on solids he will get all he needs from a well-balanced diet. During the first six months, a baby needs slightly more than 100 calories per kilogram (2lb), and from six months to one year slightly less than 100 calories per kilogram (2lb).
Nutrition: protein
Most of the protein that a baby takes in is used for growth, and the protein requirements during the first year are correspondingly higher than at any other time of life; they are three times greater than those for adults. Milk, as long as it is given in adequate amounts, provides all the protein that a newborn infant needs.
Nutrition: vitamins and minerals
Breast-milk is short of nothing except vitamin D. The main source of this is the sun, which stimulates the skin to manufacture it. If you live in a cold climate, or if your child has a very dark skin, you may need to give vitamin D supplements; ask your doctor for advice. If you bottle feed your baby all vitamin needs will be satisfied by the formula.
The rapid growth of bone and muscle during the first year means that babies have a greater need for minerals like calcium, phosphorous and magnesium than adults. All babies are born with a supply of iron that will last for up to four months; after this, iron has to be added to the diet, usually in the form of solids, but possibly as iron supplements. Breast-milk and cow's milk are both pretty low on iron; formula milk usually has iron added.
Nutrition: fats
The body needs minute traces of fatty acids for growth and repair. The fat content of both breast and formula milk is about the same, but in human milk the droplets of fat are smaller and so more digestible.
Nutrition: carbohydrates
These are major energy providers. Both breast and formula milk contain the same carbohydrates, although the carbohydrate level is slightly higher in breast-milk.
Nutrition: trace elements
Your baby needs traces of certain minerals like zinc, copper and fluoride. The first two are present in both breast and formula milk. Fluoride, however, is not and infants need fluoride to protect them against dental decay. If fluoride is added to the drinking water in your area a low-fluoride toothpaste will provide enough additional fluoride. If it's not, you may need to use a high-fluoride toothpaste for your child or even give supplements, but only with your dentist's guidance. If you're in doubt, contact your water authority.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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