Nutrition for Infants and Toddlers

Janet Blair, Healthy Start in Child Care

Perry County Health Department

Outline Feeding relationship Development and feeding skills Serving sizes Potentially harmful foods Good eating habits Encouraging new foods Picky eaters

Feeding Relationship Interactions and

communication between a caregiver and infant during feeding

Influences the infant’s ability to progress in feeding skills and eat a nutritionally adequate diet

Steps to a Positive Feeding Relationship Observe and be

sensitive Hunger Satiety Food Preferences

Be positive Make mealtime

pleasant by calming the infant

Development of Feeding Behaviors—0 - 3 months Reflexes

Rooting, suck Swallow reflex Tonic neck reflex

Motor Development Poor head control Secures milk with suckling pattern Tongue projected during swallowing

Development of Feeding Behaviors—4 - 6 months Reflexes

Rooting, biting reflex fade Tonic neck reflex fades

Motor Development Suck changes to mature suck Sucking strength increases Munching pattern begins Grasps with palmer grasp Brings object to mouth and bites

Development of Feeding Behaviors—7 - 9 months Reflexes

Gag reflex Normal gag Choking reflex can be inhibited

Motor Development Munching [solid foods] Rotary chew Sits alone Voluntary release; resecure hold Holds bottle alone Develops pincer grasp

Development of Feeding Behaviors—10 - 12 months

Reflexes [continue to improve] Motor Development

Reaches for spoon Bites nipples, spoons, and crunchy foods Grasps items and brings to mouth Drink from a cup [that is held] Tongue is used to lick food morsels off

lip Finger feeds with pincer grasp

Stages of Feeding

0 to 4 months: Breastmilk and/or formula

4 to 6 months: Baby is ready for solid foods when… Birth wt has doubled Can control head and neck Sits up with some support Can turn head/close mouth to show being

full Interest in your food when you eat

Stages of Feeding [cont.]

6 to 8 months First food =

iron-fortified rice cereal

Vegetables then Fruits

Fruit juice when drinks from a cup [limited amount]

8 to 12 months Strained

meats Egg yolks

Signs of Hunger in Infants

Rooting reflex Hand to mouth

activity Small, fussing

sounds Pre-cry facial

grimaces Crying

Signs of Satiety in Infants

Decreased interest in eating more

Increased interest in environment

Avoid Propping a Bottle Because… Choking—liquid

goes into lungs Ear infections—

fluid enters the middle ear and cannot drain properly

No human contact received, which is necessary to make them feel loved and secure

Increased risk of dental problems

Toddler Stages

Sense of self: loves to say “no” Verbal Expression: when and

what he/she likes to eat Freedom to explore and security

of limits: interested in playing rather than eating

Toddler Stages [cont.]

Refining motor control [easily frustrated]: needs set up for success in feeding

Neophobic: refuses new food at least once

Short attention span: may not sit through long meal

Equipment Needed for Children

Chairs/Table: ht should be appropriate Plates: child-size; unbreakable Utensils: short handles, blunt tips or

tines; rounded spoons and knives [not disposable]

Glasses: broad bases; small enough for small hands to hold them

Serving spoons: small enough for child to handle

Special eating equipment if needed

Serving Sizes

See handout

Foods to Avoid Before 1 Year of Age Egg Whites Cow’s milk Tomatoes Strawberries Chocolate Fish Honey Corn syrup

Choking Hazards Hot dogs Peanuts Popcorn Raisins [and other dried fruit] Grapes Peanut butter Small pieces of raw vegetables***Always make sure child is seated

when eating anything!

Building Good Eating Habits Offer a variety of

foods Serve child-size

portions Give choices Let child decide

how much Only one new

food per meal

Offer nutritious snacks b/twn meals

Serve foods with different characteristics

Allow time to eat Be a good role

model Make mealtime

pleasant

Mealtime Survival Let children know the type of behavior

expected Quiet time before meals Respect preferences but no short-order

cook Allow children to help with food prep Serve small portions Serve food easy for children to manage Acknowledge desirable behavior Do not make dessert a reward

Why Encourage New Foods?

Each of the 5 food groups provides different nutrients

Some foods within each food group are better sources of a nutrient

Child’s nutrition status, growth, and health are influenced by his/her diet

Nutrition education research suggests that 4 and 5 year olds start to develop their adult food prefs

Encouraging New Foods A taste is just a

taste One step at a

time What goes in,

may come out

Try again Color makes a

difference Serve an

unfamiliar food with a familiar one

Capitalize on “food tasting” peers

Be a role model

Strategy for Picky Eaters

Let child grow it Let child help select food at grocery Let child help prepare food Try serving it in different ways Let child dip it Serve food when child is hungry

Strategy for Picky Eaters [cont.]

Seat child next to another child who loves veggies

Eat it yourself with enjoyment Offer new foods several times Won’t eat veggies? Offer fruits

high in Vitamin A and C

Summary Children need to feel secure and loved. Children have different nutrition needs at

different ages for healthy growth and development.

Be aware of the amounts and types of foods offered at certain ages. Some foods are not appropriate for children under one year.

Offer new foods and instill healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Do not be a short-order cook for picky eaters.

Presentation adapted from: Wendy Compton, RD, LD

Thank you for your attention!

Any questions?