Nutrition From 0 – 24 Months
Nutrition from 0 – 24 Months
Infants have rapid growth during the first year of life. They double the birth weight by 6 months and triples by one year. There is increase in birth length by 50% in the first year. It is also accompanied by rapid rate of calcification of bones.
What should be given?
0 – 6 Months
From birth till 6 months of age EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING is recommended. No other milk or no other food or water should be given to the infants below 6 months. Breast feeding provides all essential nutrients required by the infant in a easily digestible and absorbable form.
7th Month
- Provide strained fruit juices and soups
- Malt can be given
- Well cooked mashed greens, peas, carrot, potato and banana can be given
- Boiled cooled water should be given
- Continue breast feeding
8th Month
- Soft solid diet like idli, idiappam, dhal rice, greens rice, curd rice, egg etc have to be started
- Solid food could be given for 4-5 times a day
- Continue breast feeding
9 – 12 Months
- Increase the quantity of soft solid foods.
- Well cooked minced meat, chicken, fish could be started
- By 12th Month encourage self feeding
- Continue breast feeding
12 – 18 Months
- By 18 Months the infant must have tasted all types of food prepared at home
- Soft bland diet is always preferred by children
- Frequency of feeding – 5 to 6 times a day
- Provide boiled, cooled water
- Continue breast feeding till two years of age
18 – 24 Months
- Foods with light Masala, and foods which are slightly hot can be included
- Crispy, colourful foods are preferred by toddlers
- Vegetables and foods of different shapes can be prepared
- Cow’s milk and health drinks like boost, horlicks, pediasure etc, can be started only after two years
Points To Be Remembered
- Keep the place clean and tidy
- Clean vessels and wash hands before feeding the baby
- Sterlize feeding bottles, sippers after every use
- Keep the baby clean and fresh
Uma Maheshwari PS
Dietitian, Happy Living Diet Clinic
