Infant Nutrition: Energy and Nutritional Needs of Infants

During infancy, the first year of human life, it is an amazing age. The infant is learning how to handle its new developing body and discovering the world around it. This is a time of rapid growth for the infant both mentally and physically. At this time the infant will gain a relatively large amount of weight and height. It is important that the infant gets proper nutrition through this time or else it could cause lifelong damages to its future development and growth. This site will discuss the energy and nutritional needs of an infant, and how infants learn to eat different types of food.

The caloric amount needed for each infant varies greatly from child to child. A broad range is given for number of calories required per day for the infant (80-120 calories per kilogram of body weight). Generally, this amount is slightly higher during the first six months then the second. This amount changes because of factors such as the baby's height and weight, the temperature and climate of its home, its physical activity and the health status of the infant. For example, extra calories would be needed with an infant who had an infection and a fever. It is wise to track the infant's height and weight on a growth chart to identify and health problems preventing proper growth.

Carbohydrates are essential for proper growth of the infant. Infant's metabolic rate is higher than during any other period in its life. Glucose from the carbohydrates is quickly converted into ATP giving the infant the energy it needs. When glucose is lacking, the infant's body will break down protein and convert the amino acids into glucose for the needed energy. With the protein being used for the energy needs, the growth in the infant will slow and eventually stop if there are not sufficient amounts of carbohydrates.

Infants use fats regularly for generating energy for their bodies. This is why it is recommended that fats should not be restricted. Fats are a concentrated source of calories that are needed by infants for their high need of calories. Fats are used by infants to supply energy to important organs of the body such as the heart, brain and liver. Breast milk and formula are the main source of fat for an infant's diet.

During pregnancy, the fetus relied on its mother for the energy it needed for it to grow. After it is born, and when the umbilical cord is cut, the child must learn new ways to eat. Fortunately, infants are born with reflexes such as rooting, gagging, and coordinating breathing and swallowing. These and other reflexes help newborn infants to be able to eat. With breastfeeding, the mother will help the infant to get latched on. Once properly latched on, the baby will start to suckle almost immediately, and go from quick short sucks to slow deep sucks. Using a bottle is a similar process as breastfeeding. The infant was born with these reflexes to be able to drink breast milk or formula.

Around 4-6 months, the infant will show signs of being able to eat from a spoon such as being able to keep its head upright and being able to move its tongue from side to side. With feeding an infant with a spoon it will promote mouth muscle development as it learns how to eat from a spoon.

When spoon feeding an infant that can't sit without assistance, the infant should be in a semi-upright position such as an infant carrier. If the infant can sit without assistance, being in a sitting position with the legs and hips 90 degrees is appropriate. The first couple of times a caregiver feeds the infant, the baby should be happy and alert. The caregiver should sit directly in front of the child so the baby doesn't have to turn its head. The spoon should be brought to the baby, and the infant given time to open its mouth fully and extend its tongue. Feeding shouldn't be rushed, as that may lead to choking, but the caregiver should watch for the baby to swallow. The first feedings will be small in volume, giving the baby some time to learn how to eat. The caregiver should always watch for cues given by the baby, such as turning away from food when they want to end the meal.

Baby cereal, such as rice cereal mixed with water or breast milk is the recommended first food for infants though other foods, such as fruits and vegetables work too. Adding sugar, salt, butter or other seasonings to the food is not recommended. Only introduce one new food at a time and only every three days or so. With only introducing one new food every couple of days, it will be easy to identify which food caused the negative reaction if a reaction such as vomiting, rashes or diarrhea does occur.

Usually around the age of six to eight months, when the infant is able to sit up straight and grasp food with its fingers, it will be able to start self feeding. At this time the infant has developed a more mature up and down chewing pattern which makes it possible to eat easily dissolvable or mashed foods. Foods such as teething biscuits, small pieces of soft fruit or soft cooked vegetables are acceptable. When an infant is self feeding, an adult should be present to prevent choking.

At this age it is a good time to let the infant try to drink from a cup. It is best to use a normal cup compared to a "sippy cup" since using a sippy cup doesn't teach the necessary development skills to the infant to eventually wean itself from a bottle. By offering a few ounces of either water or formula, each time the infant eats solid foods, the infant will become better at drinking with each feeding.

Around the age of nine months to one year old the infant can now begin to eat a larger variety of foods. They will become more aware of what others are eating and will want to will want to imitate others. It is appropriate to offer soft, chopped table foods. Giving graham crackers, small pieces of soft bread, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes and yogurt are good examples of acceptable foods.

The infant should not be given hard pieces of food that it could choke on, such as nuts, raw vegetables or popcorn. Sticky and chewy foods like raisins and gummy candy should be avoided as well. Sweet foods, like candy, sugar, and pre-sweetened cereal should not be fed to infants. It will give them very little nutritional value and spoil their appetite for more nourishing foods.

This site has discussed the energy and nutritional needs of an infant and how infants learn to eat different types of food. During this time of rapid growth it is important for the infant to get the proper nutrition that is required for mental and physical development. The nutrition during infancy lays the stepping stones to a healthy and long life.