Infancy : Next to foetal period, the infant’s first year is the time of most rapid growth. Healthy child double his birth wt. (3.2 Kg.) by six months and triple by 11 months.

    Nutritional Requirements : To meet high nutritional requirement of an infant “Good Nutrition” through out infancy is very important.

    Energy : Infants require 108 kcal / Kg. Body wt. Whereas an adult requires only  40 Kcal / Kg. Body wt.

    Protein : Protein intake of infants is about 2g/Kg. Body weight. Human milk  protein is 100% utilized. Protein content of human milk is 1.1 g / 100 ml  or 6%     of total energy.

    Calcium And Phosphorus : Growth requires large amount of calcium and  phosphorus. When sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus is not supplied to     the infant his motor development is delayed. Ca : P ratio 1.2 : 1, as in cow’s milk     is lower compared to 2 : 1 in human milk.

    Iron : RDA of iron for an infant is 1 mg / Kg body weight. At birth, body contain 75 mg / Kg. This is about 3 times that of an adult.

    Zinc : High levels are present in colostrum and it promotes normal growth.

    Vit. A : RDA for vit. A is 350 mg. Infant has sufficient store of vit. A in “Liver”  at birth which may last for 6 months. “Egg Yolk” is supplemented in the infant’s     diet for vit A or butter for vegetarians.

    VIT. D : It is essential for utilization and retention of calcium and phosphorus.Neither human nor cow’s milk provide enough vit D. Sunlight is the best source     of vit D.

    Vit. B : RDA of vit B is based on the weight of the infant which is determined on  calorie consumption. When antibiotics are taken by infant the requirement for Biz  is increased.

    Vit. C : Infant requires 25 mg of vit C. Human milk contain twice the ascorbic acid as compared to cow’s milk.

FEEDING METHOD

1.    Breast Feeding : It is the best method for feeding
    First food for the infant is mother’s milk.
    It is a natural gift for child and is best suited for the infant growth and development.
    Colostrum : During first 2 or 3 days watery and yellowish fluid that comes from     the breast first, is different from regular milk  and is called colostrum. It  must be     fed to the baby.
    Advantages :
    It provide almost all nutrient to the infant in adequate amount.
    It has anti - infective properties as it goes directly to the mouth.
    It is a source of natural immunity .
    It has anti allergic properties.

2.    Artificial Feeding : Though no milk can be substitute for mother’s milk,     sometimes it is required to give artificial feeding. Conditions under which this     type of feeding is done are as follows.
    Mother is suffering from serious illness.
    Another pregnancy intervenes during lactation.
    The child is too weak to nurse.
    Breast milk has completely stopped.
    Mother is not available to feed the child.
    Death of mother.
    Feeding problems
    Under feeding is suggested by restlessness and crying and by failure to     gain weight adequately.
    The infants failure to take sufficient quantity of food even when offered.
    Diarrhoea due to over feeding responds quickly to temporary decrease of     feed.
    Constipation in the artificially fed infant may be caused by an insufficient     amount of food or fluid.
    Colic :  May be the infant has abdominal pain, severe crying, It occurs     usually in  infants younger than 3 months.

DO YOU KNOW
Infant grow well on exclusive breast feeding for first 4-6 months.
    During this period baby does not need water supplement.
    Infact water supplement may be unhygienic and also reduces the slacking of breast by infant.
    Weaning : A process of moving baby from total dependence on milk to the ability   to eat semi solid foods.
    Babies are usually ready for semi liquid food at around 5 month.
    Before that they should be given juices and soups.

TYPES OF SUPPLEMENTARY FOODS

A.    Liquid supplements : Started around 4th month
    Juices of fresh fruits - Oranges, tomatoes, sweet lime, grapes etc.
    Soup from green leafy vegetables -strained soup in the beginning.
    Fish liver oil - it is a good source of vit. A & D. Infants should be given few drops to ½ tsp / day mixed in small quantity of milk.

B.    Solid supplements (mashed) : It should be started around 7th or 8th month.
    Cereal and starchy gruels.
    Vegetable & cooked, mashed veg. Like potato, green leafy veg., Carrots etc.
    Fruits - All fruits, except banana (which is mashed) must be stewed for one year old baby.
    Pulses - khichri, porridges etc.

C.    Solid supplements (Unmashed) :
    When baby start cutting his teeth, it is time to start chopped and lumpy foods.Solid like chapati, rice, dal, idli, vegetables etc.

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN INTRODUCING WEANING FOODS
    Introduce only one food at a time.
    Give small amounts of any food in the beginning.
    Use very thin consistency when starting solid foods.
    Food should be slightly seasoned.
    Variety in choice of food.
    Give freshly prepared food.

 PROBLEMS IN WEANING
    Obesity - Too early and too much quantity of feeding.
    Under weight - Too less quantity and less concentrated food.
    Allergy - Infant normally or frequently get allergy from wheat, milk, egg, citrus juices.
    Refusal to take new food.