infant feeding is an extremely serious matter, since it is through healthy eating that we are able to ensure that children develop properly and are protected from various illnesses. A balanced diet must contain all the nutrients the child needs and varies with age. Next, we will talk about infant feeding at different stages of development.
Infant feeding in the first six months
In the first six months of a child's life, feeding should be based only on the consumption of breast milk. It is not necessary to offer the baby any other food, not even water or tea. This is what we callbreast-feeding exclusive orexclusive breastfeeding.
Many people think that the Water it is essential, especially on hot days. However, the ideal amount of water is already found in breast milk for the baby as well as from proteinsand fundamental fats for its development. We must also not forget that, in breast milk, several immunological factors are found, which guarantees the child's protection against infections. Therefore, breastfeeding is essential.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), breastfeeding presents a lot of benefits for the mother and the baby, the main one being the protection against gastrointestinal infections and malnutrition. In addition, the Organization highlights that partially breastfed or non-breastfed babies have a higher risk of death by diarrheaand other infections.
Read more: Tips on how to prepare healthier foods
Infant feeding from six months to two years of age
As soon as the child completes six months of life, you can start the introduction of new foods. This does not mean, however, that breast milk should be excluded from their diet. The recommendation is that it be offered up to two years or more.
This phase of introducing new foods it won't always be easy, since the baby is adapting to new flavors and textures and may refuse a number of foods. It is important to remember that if the baby or child refuses food the first time, it is important to try to offer it again at other meals. On these occasions, the refused food may be offered in a different, more attractive way.
See too:Creative and healthy snacking tips for kids in schools
According to the Ministry of Health booklet, Ten steps to healthy eating for Brazilian children under two years old, if the child is still breastfed when he is six months old, two fruit porridge and one savory porridge, and when the child is seven months old, two fruit porridge and two porridge should be offered salty. Also according to the publication, upon completing eight months, the baby can already eat the same food as the family, as long as it doesn't contain too many spices and fats.
Check out some tips from the Ministry of Health to ensure healthy eating for children aged zero to two:
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Ten Steps to Healthy Eating for Children Under Two (Information adapted from the primer of the Ministry of Health) |
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Read too:Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning
Infant feeding after two years of age
After two years of age, the child, in most cases, no longer receives the mother's milk. At this point, she eats practically the same way as the other members of the family, and it is essential, therefore, that the people close lead by example how to eat well.
Here are some important tips to ensure healthy eating of the children:
Avoid high-fat foods.
Avoid foods with a lot of salt.
Avoid foods with a lot of sugars.
Encourage daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
Offer the child food rich in colors, that is, with a wide variety of colorful foods. In addition to ensuring greater availability of nutrients, colorful foods attract children.
Encourage the child to drink water between meals.
Ensure that the child has, mainly, food in their diet in nature or minimally processed.
Ensure that the child eats at regular times and has five to six meals a day, namely: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and supper.
Read too: Why shouldn't children go to school without breakfast?
Foods that should be avoided in the first years of life
In the first years of a child's life, it is essential to be careful with food. Inadequate nutrition can trigger problems such as overweight, obesity, increased cholesterol levels and anemia.
Of these problems, one that deserves to be highlighted is the Child obesity, which has been increasing in recent years. According to the Ministry of Health, 12.9% of Brazilian children, from five to nine years old, are obese, and these numbers are related to the lack of physical activity and, of course, inadequate eating habits.
Given this situation, it is essential that we take care of our children's diet, avoiding, especially in the first years of life, some types of food. Among the foods that are not recommended for children in the first years of life are:
Soft drinks
artificial juices
Black coffee
Canned and embedded products
Stuffed cakes and biscuits
Sweets, chocolates, chocolates, ice cream and candies
Fried food
Processed foods
Foods that have artificial additives and preservatives
Chips
Read too:Weekly menu suggestion for the school lunch box
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude-na-escola/alimentacao-infantil.htm