NUTRITION FOR INFANT AGES 0 – 2 YEARS OLD -1

Dear mothers,
You took your baby safely in your arms. You left behind the most precious part. Now a new period begins in front of you and of course new questions: how should I feed my baby? Should I only breastfeed for the first 6 months? Will I give water? When should I switch to complementary foods? Which should I give and which should I not? How much of each food should I give? questions … questions … questions … I know you are very confused.
Also, there are many mentors in this period. Everyone around you suddenly becomes an expert on the subject. Everyone who raises a child will share their experiences with their child with good intentions. This is very normal behavior. What you need to do here is to listen to what you are told and write it as an example in a corner of your mind. By reading the articles of experts like me and myself, you will be informed about the latest developments, you will get real information and you will benefit from the information we offer you about the nutrition of many babies. Make sure that the articles you read are written by individuals who are experts in infant nutrition. Because now you can reach a lot of dirty and wrong information on the internet. Unfortunately, there is an environment that speaks with a mouth. If you would like further assistance, do not hesitate to seek help from a dietitian in your city.
Nutrition is valuable to us at every age, but it has an extra importance in the first 2 years after birth. Because this period is the period when the child grows and develops the fastest. Growth retardation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and diarrhea are mostly seen in this period. It is quite difficult to correct the growth retardation that occurs in this period in later ages. Therefore, children’s eating habits should be gained during this period. These nutritional habits should be correct eating habits so that the child does not experience health problems due to wrong eating habits in his later years and adulthood. Awareness of mothers in this regard is very valuable.
FIRST 6 MONTHS MOTHER’S MILK: The most suitable food for a newborn baby is definitely his own mother’s milk. Every mother’s milk is unique to her baby. This is a miracle of our body, mothers. The content of the mother’s milk varies according to the deficiencies in her baby.
Let’s explain why we call it breast milk. First of all, in addition to developing the emotional bond between the mother and the baby, it is inexpensive, sterile, does not require a process for its preparation, its content is suitable for the needs of the baby, contains hormones and growth factors, is preventive of infection, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, provides the development of the jaw and teeth, and ensures the development of the baby’s mental and physical health. It helps in physical and mental development. These are just some of them.
Let’s look at the content of breast milk. Like what’s in it?
The protein in breast milk is less than cow’s milk, but the protein in it is completely absorbed by the baby. This increases the bioavailability of breast milk.
The difference of the protein in breast milk is that it contains more whey proteins. While the casein/whey ratio of cow’s milk is 80/20, this ratio is 40/60 in breast milk. This composition is suitable for the development of the child. Whey proteins in cow’s milk contain high levels of β-lactoglobulin, which has an allergenic effect in children. Whey proteins in breast milk do not contain β-lactoglobulin.
Breast milk contains growth factors.
Casein in breast milk is more easily metabolized than casein in cow’s milk.
Breast milk contains anti-infective elements, which helps to protect the child from all infections, especially the gastrointestinal tract.
The fat content of breast milk is palmitic and oleic acids in the triglyceride structure, which ensures the normal development of the baby’s brain. The absorption and digestion of breast milk fat is facilitated by the fatty acid enzymes found in breast milk.
Two types of milk are secreted during lactation: firstly, the first milk (fore milk) is a watery milk poor in fat and strong in lactose. It prevents dehydration and hypoglycemia in the baby. Therefore, you do not need to give water to babies in the first 6 months. The baby meets its water requirement from breast milk. Second milk ( hind milk ) is fat milk. At the end of breastfeeding, the baby reaches this milk. This milk has high fat content and protein content. In order for the baby to reach this milk, the sucking period must be long. Since fat milk will give saturation as well as strength, relaxation and deep sleep can be seen in the child. For this reason, mothers should empty one breast at each feeding.
Obesity is prevented as the child takes the sucking period under his control.
The fat and protein content of breast milk is affected by the mother’s diet. Therefore, the mother should be fed adequately and consistently during the breastfeeding period. The carbohydrate cost of milk is not affected by the mother’s diet. Therefore, the mother should pay attention to the consumption of sweet, pastry and sugary foods during the breastfeeding period. Let’s not forget that there are many mothers who gain more weight than during pregnancy by feeding a lot during the breastfeeding period because the baby will have milk. In order for the mother to secrete healthy milk, it will be enough for her to have a sufficient and stable diet, to consume plenty of fluids, to be away from fears, to make skin contact with her baby and not to listen to the negative words coming from the environment.
Apart from vitamins K and D, the density of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins in breast milk is ideal for the baby. The bioavailability of vitamins is high as there is no loss with the process.
Although the calcium measure of breast milk is 25% of cow’s milk, 55% of the calcium in breast milk is absorbed due to the fact that the pH of the intestine is acid, the fat absorption is more uniform and the phosphorus absorption is low, and this rate is 38% in cow’s milk.
The iron density of breast milk is low, but its bioavailability is high. While 5-10% of the iron in cow’s milk can be absorbed, 50% of the iron in breast milk can be absorbed.
This and many more are the proven facts that breast milk is the most beneficial food for the baby. Therefore, in the first 6 months, if the mother’s milk is sufficient for the growth of the child, only breast milk is sufficient.
STARTING ADDITIONAL NUTRITIONS
You fed your baby with breast milk by paying attention to your nutrition for the first 6 months. Everything is going normally in your baby’s spiritual, mental and physical development. Now your baby is growing and different needs have started to occur. Some factors emerge at the point of starting complementary foods:
ON TIME: While being fed completely or partially with breast milk, it should be started when their needs for power and nutrients increase. (6th Month)
SUFFICIENT: It should be in a ratio to meet the power, protein and other nutritional elements that the growing child needs.
MUTEBER: It should be prepared hygienically and stored under appropriate conditions, served in clean containers and in accordance with the rules of purity.
SUITABLE: It should be planned considering the child’s hunger and satiety status, appetite, nutritional status (by himself, by mashing with a spoon or puree) and meal intervals (number of feedings per day).
Additional nutrients to be given to babies according to the months:
0 – 6 Months
BREAST MILK ONLY
(The growth of the baby according to the months should be monitored)
6th month
Continuation of breast milk / if breast milk is finished follow-on milk
Yoghurt
Fruit juice, vegetable juice and puree
Molasses
Egg yolk (1/4 ratio)
7th month
Continue to breast milk
Yogurt
Fruit juice, vegetable juice
Molasses
Rice flour, rice
Egg yolk (whole)
Meat (fish, chicken and red meat)
Vegetable oils
Herb puree or vegetable soup
8th month
Continue to breast milk
Yogurt
Fruit juice, vegetable juice
Molasses
Meat (fish, chicken and red meat), lamb or chicken liver
Vegetable oils
Finely mashed residential food (with ground beef and vegetables)
Whole egg or pasteurized cheese
Cereal l – Red lentils, beans, chickpea paste
12th month
Continue to breast milk
Yogurt
Fruit or freshly squeezed fruit juice, vegetable juice
Molasses
Egg (whole) or pasteurized cheese
Sitting at the family table and choosing according to their own experience
(home cooking, stuffed meat, vegetable dishes with minced meat, tarhana,
lentils, flour and yogurt soups, pasta, rice, etc.)
Your baby will be with you in the following months. They can sit at the table and eat the food cooked in the family’s kitchen.