Research shows that new-borns grow the fastest between the first 2 to 4 weeks. How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you will make for your child. As such, the baby’s diet should contain all necessary nutrition to support and inspire optimal growth not only during those first weeks, but also for when he or she reaches the toddler stage. In this issue, Care For Life looks into the types of nutrition the baby needs, the ideal weight growth of a new-born as well as additional supplements and dietary requirements for breastfeeding mothers.
Breast or Bottle?
Not all women will prefer or even be able to breastfeed. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle feed a baby is usually based on the mother’s comfort level with breastfeeding and often includes other factors such as her lifestyle. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months but it is vital to remember that your baby’s nutritional and emotional needs will still be met whether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed.
Perhaps the most important advantage of breastfeeding is that breast milk is the perfect food for a human baby's digestive system. It contains the vitamins and minerals that a newborn needs, and all of its components — lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat — are effortlessly digested by a newborn's immature system. Commercial formulas may try their best to imitate breast milk but they only manage to come close, never really producing the exact duplicate. Breast milk also contains easily absorbed iron as well as antibodies that help protect infants from a wide variety of infectious diseases, including diarrhoea.
Additionally, breastfeeding is also great for moms as it helps burn calories and aids in shrinking the uterus. Breastfeeding may also protect mom from breast and ovarian cancer. Not forgetting, it also meets a variety of emotional needs for both moms and babies as skin-to-skin contact can enhance emotional connections.
Postpartum Nutrition
The nutrition necessities for breast-feeding are similar to those for pregnancy. Just as when you were pregnant, it's imperative to eat well while you're breastfeeding, with plenty of wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods. However, a breast-feeding woman needs 200 more calories per day than she did during pregnancy, and it is important that the calories come from nutritious foods. Your need for fluid increases while you are breastfeeding. You may notice that you are thirstier than before. Drink enough water and other fluids to quench your thirst. A usual recommendation is to drink a glass of water or other beverage every time you breastfeed. Some beverages, such as soft drinks and fruit drinks, contain added sugars. Limit your intake of these beverages.
 |
| Vegetables are essential to provide nutrients for mom and baby when breastfeeding |
Supplementary Nutrition for Infants
If a healthy mother is nursing a healthy infant, chances are he/she will not need any vitamins or nutritional supplements, the only exception being Vitamin D. Although breast milk does contain small amounts of Vitamin D, and Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight, The AAP recommends that all breastfed babies receive vitamin D supplements within the first few days of life during the first two months continuing until the infant begins consumption of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk.
Supplements are usually unnecessary if the baby in on a formula diet as formula includes the right blend of vitamins, including vitamin D. Iron-fortified formula is also recommended for a baby's first year and should contain up to 12 mg/l of iron. Water, juice, and other foods are usually unnecessary during a baby's first 6 months. Breast milk or formula provides everything babies need nutritionally until they start eating solid foods.
Ideal Birth Weight
There are several factors that influence birth weight, which include size of parents, birth order and especially mother’s health during pregnancy. Babies are born with some extra fluid; therefore, it is a common occurrence for all babies to lose weight immediately after birth when that fluid is lost. Within a week, however, the new-born should regain his/her birth weight. For an average baby, a gain of about an ounce (30g) a day is normal. Babies also generally grow in height about 1 to 1.5 inches. Many newborns go through a period of escalated growth when they are 7-10 days old and again at 3 – 6 weeks. At the end of the 5th months, most babies will be double their birth weight.
 |
| Babies generally lose weight after birth |
KPJ Healthcare strives to provide newborns as well as their mothers with the best postnatal care with a string of trained professionals. All of who will be more than pleased to provide you with all the information and help you may need to care for mother and child.
Written for AMG International, contract publishers of Care For Life 7
