- Proper nutrition in the first three years of life is particularly important due to its role in reducing morbidity, decreasing the risk of chronic disease throughout its lifespan, and promoting regular mental and physical development _Nutrients that a child needs: There are many essential nutrients that children need during the stages of growth to build a healthy and strong body, including: 1. Calcium: It is a vital and necessary element that the body needs, especially children and adolescents, to meet the needs of the body, such as building muscles, bones, and teeth. Calcium is one of the necessary minerals that help regulate heartbeat. The heart, and there are many children who do not get enough quantity for the body, and thus cause weakness in the construction and formation of bones, teeth and muscles. 2. Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps to enhance the health of the child’s body, and its ability to absorb calcium in a healthy and sound manner, and to promote the growth and strengthening of the body’s bones. The sun is one of the most important natural sources in which vitamin D is present, and that By exposing children to the early morning sun Food sources that contain vitamin D include fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, and milk. 3. Dietary fibers: Natural dietary fibers help the child feel full for a long period of time, reduce the risk of diabetes, and reduce obesity.The emergence of various heart diseases, and the lack of dietary fiber causes constipation in children Sources of dietary fiber are whole-grain bread, fruits with skin, vegetables, legumes and nuts.
- 4. Potassium: It is one of the minerals necessary to promote heart health and strength of the body’s muscles, and to maintain fluid levels in the child, in addition to that it contributes with Calcium to get the energy the baby needs. Sources of potassium: fruits and vegetables, the most important of which are bananas, melons, sweet potatoes, spinach, meat and fish. 5. Vitamin E: Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that strengthen the body's immune system, and prevent children from getting diseases that appear as a result of exposure to many surrounding germs and pollutants. Sources of vitamin E, vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, and fatty fish. Proper feeding of the infant From 1 month to 6 months: At this stage, the child receives milk through breastfeeding, and the parents should monitor the child's weight regularly at the doctor. 4 to 6 months The infant begins to eat solid food at this stage, but care must be taken when starting to eat this food to protect the infant from problems such as suffocation, and there are some signs that help the child start eating solid food, including: _Baby weight gain. _That the child is able to sit. _ The child is able to refuse food, leave it or close the mouth. But food must be presented to the child in different forms, to know the sensitivity and acceptance of the child to these foods
- 6 to 8 months At this stage, the child should continue to breastfeed and eat more different foods. The mother starts feeding him different fruits and vegetables, such as peas, potatoes, carrots, zucchini and fruits such as bananas, apricots, pears, melons and peaches, but make sure that the pieces are small. 8 to 12 months The child at this age continues to breastfeed from breast milk or formula appropriate for his age, with caution not to take cow’s milk for children under the age of one year, and some minced meat for children of this age, which consists of a high percentage of iron, can be eaten. 1 year After the age of one year, the child begins to eat cow's milk, cheese, and milk, but in a small amount, and the child can eat various foods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, grains and whole milk, in order to obtain all the vitamins and minerals that the body needs, but should stay away from eating solid foods that can To cause suffocation such as popcorn, nuts, berries and grapes.
- It is important for the mother to follow a balanced diet with her child at an early age so that it becomes a habit for her, the best thing she can do for your child is to help him maintain a healthy weight and get used to a balanced diet. We must let the child listen to his inner cues of feeling hungry and full so that he does not learn to overeat. This happens when parents pressure the child to eat more, which leads to the child ignoring his own signals
Baby Health And Nutrition
Proper infant nutrition is essential to a child's continued health, from birth to adulthood
