Infant Nutrition: A Practical Handbook

Infant nutrition refers to the study of the nutritional requirements of infants. A diet that lacks in vital minerals, calories, fluids or vitamins is deemed insufficient. Breast milk offers the best nutrition for the crucial early months of growth as compared to infant formula. It has numerous benefits for neonates and infants, including improved immunity, growth and development. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, anemia and obesity. Solid foods are often provided to infants after four to six months from their birth. Proper infant nutrition requires the provision of vital nutrients that promote development, appropriate growth, function, and resistance to disorders and infections. An expectant mother can ensure optimal nutrition by choosing whether to bottle-feed or breastfeed the infant after birth. The topics covered in this book offer the readers new insights on infant nutrition. It is a vital tool for all researching and studying this field. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.