Parenting healthy children from their infancy to their adult years takes a lot of time and commitment. You have many new things that you need to learn as a parent to ensure their health and safety as they grow up. Today, we’re going to go in-depth about the nutritional considerations that you should factor into the diet of your infants and children to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
The First Six Months
You’ll notice an amazing change in your infant within the first six months of their life. It’s like they go through an astonishing growth spurt that is incomparable to anything else. In fact, infants triple their birth weight in their very first year of life. All this growing requires a lot of nutrients.
For the most part, any knowledgeable pediatrician in Lubbock will tell you that breast milk is the best source of nutrients for an infant in their first six months. While many hospitals instruct parents on breastfeeding from the very beginning, not all stick with it for the initial six months of their child’s life. In fact, a recent study has revealed that only 14 percent of mothers are still solely breastfeeding their child at the six-month mark.
Formula is an alright alternative for those who can’t or don’t want to continue to breastfeed their infant. Your baby requires a good formula that has all the nutrients they need to grow in their first year. Some of these nutrients include the following:
- Calcium – bone and teeth strength
- Fat – provides energy, develops brain, healthy skin and hair, fights infections
- Folate – assists cells in dividing
- Iron – builds blood cells, brain develop
- Zinc – builds and repairs cells
- Carbs And Protein – provides energy and fuels growth
The Craze About Iron Supplements
Your kids doctor in Lubbock may have recommended giving your baby iron supplements in addition to breastfeeding. As time develops, it’s become more and more apparent that babies who are solely breastfed lack the necessary iron their body needs to flourish. It’s best to talk with your pediatrician about the right dosage of iron and how to give it to your baby successfully.
Your Baby Needs Vitamins Too
Apart from the necessary nutrients given to you above, your baby also needs a steady supply of vitamins to grow. If you search for a pediatrician near me, you’ll be able to find an expert who can help to ensure your baby is getting these necessary vitamins in their daily diet. Some of these essential vitamins include:
- Vitamin A – healthy skin, hair, vision, and immune system
- Vitamin B1 – turns food into energy
- Vitamin B2 – turns food into energy and protects cells from damage
- Vitamin B3 – helps use fats and proteins for energy
- Vitamin B6 – keeps the brain and immune system healthy
- Vitamin B12 – healthy nerves, DNA, and blood cells
- Vitamin C – fights infections, builds bones and muscle, helps repair wounds
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