In this series of Breastfeeding , we will talk in details about the balanced diet of infant , How infant feeding is carried on , various methods of Infant feeding like Breastfeeding and Artificial Feeding . Advantages / disadvantages of infant feeding on infant growth . Women’s counselling about Breastfeeding , technique of breastfeeding. So let’s brush up our knowledge about Infant feeding , types of infant feeding and daily nutritional requirements in the neonate and it’s advantages etc .
What is Infant Feeding?
The rate of growth of the infants during first 6 months of life is greater and faster than any other period of life . It’s weight is doubled by the age of 5 months and tripled by the end of one year . Keeping this in mind , the baby should be nursed adequately ( both quantitatively and qualitatively ) which allows easy digestion and absorption .
There are two types of Infant Feeding :
- Breastfeeding
- Artificial Feeding
Nutritional Requirements in the Neonate :
- The infant should get sufficient fluid – fluid intake should be 150-175 ml / kg body weight per day.
- The infant should get adequate calorie.
- Healthy Infant needs 100-110 kcal/kg/day of body weight .
- Low birth weight infant needs 105-130 kcal/kg/day of body weight .
- The food should have a balanced composition :
- Protein 2-4 g/kg/day
- Fat 4-6 g/kg/day
- Carbohydrate 10-15 g/kg/day
- Minerals
- Vitamins
Breastfeeding is very important because it’s the best start for your baby. So follow your maternal instincts and your baby’s demands to make your breastfeeding experience a successful and enjoyable one!
Do read about more breastfeeding Series in another part here
Refrence : DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics