1-page (double spaced) reflection
Feeding Young Children:
Considerations and
Recommendations Krystal Lynch, PhD
EIU 4151G
Introduction
• Exclusive breastfeeding is preferred method of infant feeding for the first 6 months of life
• Offers protection from infection and serves as critical source of energy and nutrients
• Mothers should be supported in their decision to breastfeed for any length of time
Feeding Children Under 2
• Start forming good eating habits early • Pay attention to eating cues
• underfeeding/ overfeeding
• Go slowly on complementary feeding and the introduction of new foods
• No cow’s milk until age 1 • No reduced-fat or nonfat milk until age 2
Breast Feeding vs. Formula
Breast
• Antibodies, enzymes, and other proteins
• Babies have fewer allergies, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and UTIs
• Less constipation/diarrhea • Benefits for mom • Free
Formula
• Gives mom a break • Meds/drugs can pass from
mom to baby in breast milk, but not a problem with formula
• Can meet unique infants’ needs (preemies, metabolic disorders, allergies)
Copyright 2010, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Copyright 2010, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Infant Nutrition: Comparing Needs
Food Intake Progression for Infants
Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Typical Meal Patterns for Infants Meal Amounts per day
(4–6 months) Amounts per day
(6–9 months) Amounts per day
(9–12 months) Breast milk or formulaa 32 oz 32 oz 32 oz
Cereal 4 T infant rice cereal ½ cup Cheerios ½ cup breakfast cereal, rice, or small pasta
Vegetables – 4–6 T pureed or baby food ⅓–½ cup cooked vegetables such as peas, diced green beans, or cooked carrots
Fruits – 4 T mashed, pureed, or baby food
½ cup soft diced fruits
Meats, fish, poultry, cheese, egg yolk
– 2–4 T strained or pureed 4–6 T chopped or ground; ¼ cup cottage cheese
Finger foods – Include finger foods, advancing in size and texture with development: teething biscuits, dry toast, crackers, bananas
Table foods except foods in shapes and sizes likely to cause choking, such as large pieces of meat, whole grapes, or hot dogs or carrots cut in circular slices
a Includes formula or breast milk added to cereal.
Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Influencing Healthy Eating Habits
▪ Children should be allowed to determine
how much they will eat
from a variety of healthy
food choices
Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Division of Responsibility
• Ellyn Satter’s helpful process for feeding picky eaters: • The parent’s role is to provide healthful foods and drinks • The child’s role is to choose how much and what to eat of
the foods provided
• Do not force children to eat or finish their plates • Do not fix only foods that you know that child will eat
Picky Eaters
• Tends not to be a problem • Frustrates parents • Offer new foods at least 25 times, don’t give up • Offer new foods alone and at the beginning of the
meal
• Let children help in preparation
The Diets of American Children
Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
According to the graph, the age group with the highest percentage of
children with poor diets is:
a) 2 to 6 year olds
b) 7 to 12 year olds
c) 13 to 18 year olds
d) No difference
Burns, 2012
What to offer to children
Burns, 2012
Juice
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should not be fed juice until 6 months of
age
• It is better to wait until age 1
• children younger than 6 years, juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz/day
• 100% juice
Addressing excess childhood weight
• Change both eating and activity patterns • Weight loss is rarely recommended • Denying food may promote further overeating;
restrictions should be relatively mild
• Offer nutrient-dense foods • Physical activity for at least an hour per day • Increases in activity need to be gradual • Start by limiting screen time
Food guidance for adolescents
Special Nutrition Concerns
• Eating disorders • Participation in competitive
sports
• Female Athlete Triad
• Tobacco use • Alcohol use
Burns, 2012 20
Screen time and Obesity
Fitness for Children ▪ Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or
more of physical activity daily.
• Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical
activity, and should include vigorous-intensity physical
activity at least 3 days a week.
• Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should
include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3
days of the week.
• Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should
include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3
days of the week.
▪ It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate
for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer
variety.Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Marketing to Children
• The food system is the second largest advertiser in the US economy.
• Children are the target of food marketing through a variety of avenues including:
• Television advertising • In-school marketing • Product placements • Kids clubs • The Internet • Toys and products with brand logos • Youth-targeted promotions, such as cross-selling and tie-ins.
Assignments for this week ▪ Reflection: Childhood behaviors and their influences on
current food behaviors
▪ Discussion: Marketing to food to children. Read the article in this week’s reading for additional background. What are your thoughts about the practice of marketing
food to children? Should companies be allowed to do so,
and if so why, or if not, why not?
Submit a 1-page (double spaced) thoughtful reflection on how these factors have affected your dietary behaviors.