The Importance of Childhood Nutrition: A Guide for Parents
07 May 2019
Nutrition plays one of the most important roles in influencing a child’s growth and development. Good nutrition is the first line of defence against numerous childhood diseases, which can leave their mark on a child for life. While childhood obesity showed an alarming rising trend worldwide, many parents are still confused when it comes to feeding their children. What should be given? How much to give? Are they getting enough nutrients?
First Year of Life: The Critical Window for Good Health
Studies have consistently shown that infancy is the peak age for growth faltering, deficiencies of certain nutrients and common childhood illness such as diarrhea. Exclusively breastfeeding is well known as the gold standard for infant feeding for the first six months as its benefits extend far beyond basic nutrition. Complementary feeding can be introduced thereafter while World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding should be continued till 2 years of age or beyond. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing complementary foods between 4 to 6 months of age to accommodate child’s growing needs for specific nutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin D.
Food choices to offer and texture progression are much depends on their age and individual oral motor development. The ability to chew and swallow varies with age. Infants can manage runny smooth puree at around 6 months of age, slowly progress to thick smooth puree, then thick lumpy puree such as mashed potatoes and pumpkin. By eight months, most infants able to eat finger foods such as small pieces of bread, chopped hardboiled egg and cooked carrot cubes. Giving finger foods at this age are also important to facilitate chewing and self-feeding skills. However, infants must be supervised when eating. After a year of age, it is encouraged to have the infant to join in the family meals. Cooking separately for them is therefore not required.
Childhood Nutrition: Feeding Progression for Infants
- Birth to 12 months - Breast milk/ formula milk
- 5 to 6 months - Runny smooth puree
- 6 to 7 months - Thick smooth puree
- 7 to 8 months -Thick lumpy puree
- 8 to 10 months - Soft Diet
- 11 to 12 months - Soft textured to regular adult diet
Childhood Nutrition: Toddler and Pre-schooler Years
At this stage, children started to be more assertive and opinionated on what they are eating. They become more independent in eating and choosing foods to eat. Their experiences with foods slowly become their food preference in later of their life. While children are still dependent on parents or caregivers in preparing foods, allow them to decide how much to eat.
Make this as an opportunity to help them learn to like nutritious foods by offering a variety of healthful choices. Focus on serving lean meat and poultry, vegetables and fruits with vibrant colours instead of foods with empty calories such as sausages, cordial drinks and candies.
Furthermore, their food intake are largely be influenced by family eating patterns, siblings and peers. Try to get them into a regular routine, eating as part of the family.
