INFANCY

- The stage if infancy last from the birth until approximately the age of 2. During infancy, a
great deal of initial learning occurs. This learning is provided through environmental
cues, such as parents behavior. Very basic skills are mastered during this time period,
such crying, nursing co-ordination and ability to present images and objects with words.

Characteristics of Infants with their nutritional implications:

Characteristics nutritional implications

Growth in the neonatal
period and early infancy is
more rapid than at any
other period of life
Therefore, the caloric requirements exceed  0-5 months-
those at any other age to provide an M:620,
adequate amount for maintenance and F:560kcal
growth.  6-11 months- M:
720, F: 630kcal
 1 year- M:1,000,
F: 920 kcal
 Protein, necessary for the formation of  0-5 months- 5%
new cells, has a high requirement of TER
during the newborn and infancy periods  6-11 months- 8-
to provide for rapid growth of new cells 15% of TER
as well as maintenance of existing cells.  1 year- 6-15% of
(ex: Histidine, an amino acid) TER
 Linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid  0-5 months- 40-
necessary for growth and skin integrity 60% of TER
in infants  6-11 months- 30-
40% of TER
 1 year- 25-35%
of TER
 Lactose, the disaccharide found in  0-5 months- 40-
human milk and added to commercial 35-55% of TER
formulas, appears to be the most easily  6-11 months- 45-
digested of the carbohydrates. 62% of TER
- improves calcium absorption and  1 year- 50-69%
aids in nitrogen retention. of TER
- produces stools consisting
predominantly of gram+ rather than
gram- bacteria and therefore
decreases the possibility of GI
illness (which usually results from
gram- organisms).
- allows protein to be used for building
new cells rather than for calories,
encouraging normal water balance
and preventing abnormal
metabolism of fat.

 metabolic rate is so Fluid intake  0-5 months- M:

high. 680, F:560
 loses water by  6-11 months-
 evaporation much M:890, F:630
more readily than  1 year- M: 1000,
does an adult. F:920
 Because the kidneys
of a newborn are not
yet capable of fully
concentrating urine, a
newborn cannot
conserve body water
 30% to 35% of body
weight is extracellular
fluid
 a newborn’s skeleton Calcium is an important mineral in infancy.  0-5 months- 200
is growing so rapidly A lactating mother should continue drinking  6-11 months-
400
 1-2 yrs. - 500
 building sound teeth fluoridated water (although only a small  0-5 months- 0.7
and preventing tooth amount of fluoride passes into breast milk),  6-11 months- 0.9
decay. and formulas should be prepared with  1-2 yrs. - 1.3
fluoridated water.
Vitamins
Iron  0-5 months-
O.4mg
 6-11 months-
M:10mg, F:9 mg
 1-2yrs.- 8mg
Increasing caloric Delaying solid food until this time helps
requirement therefore, prevent overwhelming an infant’s kidneys
increasing need for other with a heavy solute load that can occur
sources aside from milk when protein is ingested.
(Complementary feeding) 0-4 Feed breast milk or infant
months formula. (extrusion reflex)
4-6 Extrusion reflex diminishes.
months Begin iron-fortified cereal mixed
with breast milk, formula, or
water. Begin pureed meats,
legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

6-8 Finger food Self-feeding

moonths Begin textured vegetables and
fruits.
Begin unsweetened, diluted fruit
juices from cup.
8-10 Begin breads and cereals from
months table.
Begin yogurt.
Begin pieces of soft, cooked
vegetables and fruit from table.
Gradually begin finely cut meats,
fish, casseroles, cheese, eggs,
 and mashed legumes.

10-12 Begins to master spoon, but still

months spills some. Add variety.
Gradually increase portion sizes
Possible diagnosis:

 Effective breastfeeding related to well-prepared mother and healthy newborn

 Risk for ineffective breastfeeding related to nipple soreness
 Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements, related to poor newborn sucking
response
 Risk for impaired parenting related to need to formula feed newborn

Weaning
To wean from formula or breast milk, the mother chooses one feeding a day and then begins
offering fluid by the new method at that feeding. She should choose a time of day that is not an
infant’s fussy period; other than that, the time is immaterial. After 3 days to 1 week, when an
infant has become acclimated to the one change, the mother changes a second feeding.
References:

 Pillitteri A. (2010). Maternal & child nursing: care of the childbearing & childbearing family
(6th edition). 530 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
 Whitley, E., Rolfes. S., (2016). Understanding nutrition. Cengage learning. 200 First
Stamford Place, 4th floor, Stamford, CT 06902 USA