Infancy is one of the critical periods of a growing child due to rapid growth and development. From birth to 6 months, babies must double their weight and triple at 12 months. Thus, babies need lots of nutrients to be able to grow as such.
Infants’ proper nutrition is fundamental for their rapid growth and development. Likewise, correct feeding in this stage plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of illnesses and diseases throughout their life span. And the best source of good nutrition for the first 6 months of life is breastmilk.
Kumainment No. 2 tells us, “Pasusuha ang batang bag-ong natawo gikan sa pagkahimugso ngadto sa unom ka buwan; hatagi usab siya sa saktong pagkaon sugod sa unom ka buwan.” (Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to 6 months, then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond.)
Breastmilk is enough to meet all the food and water requirements a baby needs in the first 6 months of his life. It contains vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates which are essential for physical, mental, and emotional health.
Not only it is their superfood that supplies their nutritional needs, but it also gives them immunity against various diseases. The liquid gold also contains antibodies that fight infection. In addition, it is safe, clean, digestible, and is readily available at all times.
To avail of these benefits, mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies starting from birth until 6 months old. This means giving no other solid or liquid foods, even water, but breastmilk only.
Timely breastfeeding initiation within the first hour after birth is equally important. The immediate skin-to-skin contact not only regulates the newborn’s temperature but also increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 820,000 children’s lives can be saved with proper breastfeeding. So, mothers should have the liberty to exclusively breastfeed their babies and further continue breastfeeding after 6 months or as long as they choose.
At infancy, babies rely only upon their mothers. Thus, the nutrition of lactating mothers should not be ignored—it should be a priority.
The nutrients in the breastmilk come from the mother’s diet and/or her nutrient reserves. And naturally, stored nutrients of the lactating mother were depleted due to pregnancy and blood loss during birth. To ensure that both the mother and baby get their daily nutritional needs, the breastfeeding mother needs an additional 500 kilocalories in her daily diet. Read here to know more about nutrition for lactating mothers.
Both the mother and the baby need good nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life as it is the foundation of the child’s future. Safeguarding the health and nutrition of the children equates to securing the economic productivity and prosperity of the next generation.
Good nutrition at infancy does not only save the child’s life but also holds the key to a healthier and happier future. So, first 1,000 days tutukan and get ahead in life. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
References:
World Health Organization. Infant nutrition. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/infant-nutrition#tab=tab_1
Callahan, A., et al. Nutrition: Science and Everyday Application. Nutrition in Early Infancy. Retrieved from: https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/nutritionscience/chapter/11b-nutrition-early-infancy/
National Nutrition Council. (2015, 18 April). 10 Kumainments Cebuano Version. Retrieved from: https://www.nnc.gov.ph/images/10kumainments/10kumainments_Cebuano.jpg
World Health Organization. e-Library of Evidence for Nutrition Actions (eLENA). Early initiation of breastfeeding to promote exclusive breastfeeding. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/elena/titles/early_breastfeeding/en/
Selim, L. United Nations Children’s Fund. Breastfeeding from the first hour of birth: What works and what hurts. Retrieved from: https://www.unicef.org/stories/breastfeeding-first-hour-birth-what-works-and-what-hurts
Segura, S. A., et al. (2015, 16 July). The importance of maternal nutrition duringbreastfeeding: Do breastfeeding mothers neednutritional supplements? Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282041957_The_importance_of_maternal_nutrition_during_breastfeeding_Do_breastfeeding_mothers_need_nutritional_supplements
