Infant Food Intake

ABSTRACT  Infant feeding practices in the United States , as elsewhere, continually undergo re-evaluation, to improve the health and well being of infants and to aviod,if possible, deleterious habits in later life. 15 years ago. It was estimated that 15-25% of infants were breastfed compare with 60-80% now. Formula-fed infants are fed almost entirely a cow’s-milk based iron fortified formula, which similates as closely as possible the composition of human milk, until about one year of age unless they have varied diet, limited whole milk, and liberal amounts of iron-containing foods.Breast milk composition is being studied vigorously. Low birth weight infants are fed their mothers milk. Soybased firmulas have wide use in the US.It is recognized that allergies are almost as common with this thus producing renewd interest infurther processing. Supplemental foods are first given at 4-6 months. As more is learned about human milk, it is expected that formulas will be made with other changes to accommodate those infants of mothers who cannot nurse.

Introduction

Infant feeding practices, like nutritional practices in adults, constantly change. Some of the changes are based on newly abtained properly controlled scientific information. Some of the changes are dictated by economic constrains, availability of foods, social conditions, and time available to harvest and prepare foods. Many of the changes are fads based on skimpy or non-existent information.Everyone eats and everyone can be a self-appointed nutrition expert, in areas where time and food availability are lesser problems. Giving nutritional advice, particularly as a treatment for serious illnesses, has become a very lucrative though frequently unjustified, feld of endeavor.

Changes have occurred in infant feeding practices in the US, and many of these  appear based on sound statistical principles.

The most striking chang is the gradual return to breasfeeding at least for yhe early months. 15 years ago it was estimate that 15-25% of infants were breastfed, even for short periods. Today, this number approaches 75% (1) The advantages of breastfeeding to the intant include a decreased incidence of infections, and particularly of the mother is healthly and well fed, assurance that almost all nutrients will be supplied to the infant (2). Allergies appear to be decrease or ameliorated (3).