The cornerstones of infant nutrition

The first year after birth is a time for physical growth and maturation of infants. It is necessary to incorporate the proper nutrition into an infant's diet to promote the future health, growth and development of the child.

Some of the most common questions regarding infant nutrition are:

• Should I breast-feed or bottle feed?
• Is my infant developmentally ready for solid foods?
• What other types of fluids can I feed my child?

Nutrition feeding guidelines
During the first year of life, normal infants triple their weight and increase their length by 50 per cent. This rapid growth rate demands the right amount of energy and nutrients. However, during infancy, organ systems are not fully matured and therefore the ability to digest, metabolize and excrete nutrients is not fully developed. For this reason, it is important to provide sufficient energy and nutrients to support growth and development -- without providing an amount of nutrients that may be too much for the infant's organs to handle. Ideal feeding during the first year of life would be exclusive breastfeeding with age-appropriate foods added at 4-6 months, while breastfeeding continues. To read about some of the worres facing a nursing mother, read Concerns of breastfeeding mothers.