Finding The Balance Between The New And The Traditional In Child Nutrition Is A Serious Challenge

Is there a firm concept of how we should feed the baby?

The science of nutrition and dietetics in its section related to infant nutrition is developing very dynamically, as in the world scale so in our country. In the last 30-40 years, exclusive breastfeeding has become necessary, as the most appropriate practice for feeding the infant during the first few months of life. In support of this is the ever-growing international initiative of "Baby Friends Hospitals", as well as the work of many NGOs such as La Leche League, Alliance of Americanarian Midwives, and others. The rapid development of Internet services has led to the creation of many support groups and websites related to infant nutrition. Unfortunately, the information which is spread in the media space does not always meet the modern recommendations for infant nutrition, is often even contradictory, and can lead to serious confusion for mothers and all those who care for the nutrition of children in this riskiest age group, namely the infant.

How many schools exist and which one should we be guided by?

Breastfeeding is inherently unique and unique, characterized by much faster growth and development and can not be compared with any other period of development of man. The rapid growth of infants determines the higher energy needs per kilogram of weight compared to those of older children and adults. It was found that at the end of the first year, infants increase their height by 25-30% and triple their weight from birth. The development and maturation of all organs and systems of the body are accelerated, especially the brain, immune, digestive and excretory systems. The challenges facing the immature digestive system of every infant are significant - it goes from a single food - breast milk, through nutritious foods to a variety of foods and beverages at the end of the first year. The type and consistency of the food change gradually from liquid, through liquid-mash, crushed to ground into small pieces or chopped. Towards the end of the breastfeeding period, children can feed themselves, drink from a cup they hold with both hands, and, with the help of their parents, eat with the rest of the family.

Traditionally applied approaches to feeding infants, both in our country and in many other countries, are changing due to the development of the science of nutrition, the accumulation of experience and evidence, research conducted in recent years, the opinions of leading experts, the opportunity for an informed choice of mothers and others. All this determines the possibility of applying individual approaches to feeding infants.

In modern infant feeding guides of many companies, pediatric and dietary associations, national recommendations in European countries present basic principles without giving strict advice on special order or sequence of food introduction in infants. The widely recommended feeding of breastfed and formula-fed infants over the last 5 years is no longer supported because of this, that it creates confusion among health professionals and mothers.

What is the basis for building a baby's diet?

Through food, infants should receive daily no not only enough energy (calories), but also enough nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, bioactive substances, etc.) so that they fully meet the needs of the infant for energy and nutrients. For this reason, the requirements for the first and subsequent feeders are very high. They must not only have the right appearance and consistency, but they must also be safe, prepared with gentle techniques, as well as to have a certain high energy and nutrient density.

And why not underestimate the time in which food is introduced into its menu and the order of their inclusion?

Morphological and physiological maturation of the organs and systems of the baby, which are involved in the assimilation of foods other than breast milk/infant formula is 4 to 6 months of age. The period of the beginning of feeding covers the time from 4 completed to 6 completed months (from 120 to 180 days after birth). The exact time or start of feeding is individually determined and is carried out at the discretion of the caring pediatrician and / or nutritionist.

Feeding at inappropriate times is associated with risks to the growth and development of the child.

With early feeding (before the 17th week of birth), breast milk may be displaced from the feed, therefore, children are previously exposed to microbial agents from food and liquids, which are potentially contaminated and may increase the risk of diseases - diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies. Due to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract of the infant, there is a prerequisite for difficult absorption of nutrients from food, for an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies, diarrhea, food allergies, and growth retardation.

Late feeding (after the 26th week of birth) is associated with insufficient intake of energy and nutrients from breast milk alone and can lead to growth retardation and nutritional deficiencies. The risk of iron deficiency anemia is highest, as infants' iron stores are depleted by six months. Where is the healthy balance?

Indeed, there is a lot of information nowadays regarding the nutrition and nutrition of infants and young children in general. The book market is full of books on this subject. Unfortunately, these are usually materials translated directly by foreign authors, which are not wrong but are often intended for infants from countries where there are many different traditions from ours and many different problems in the nutrition of the children for whom they are intended. They often focus on foods that are not traditional for our latitudes and may deny foods that we are genetically accustomed to and that has a place in the diet of our infants. This creates additional preconditions for confusion for both mothers and health professionals. lung problems, etc. Prevention of nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders, positive changes in nutrition and eating behavior of infants and young children can have a lasting effect not only in childhood but also in later life. That is why the nutrition of children in early childhood is the subject of special attention by specialists and is a key aspect of priority national and international policies in the European Union and not only in the European Union.