Infant Nutrition Guidelines

Slide Deck Overview

• The presentation is for health professionals to communicate about the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• It's designed for a specific life stage and can be used either independently or in conjunction with the full presentation.
• Content in the graphs, figures, and tables in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 is in the public domain.

Permission to Use

• Graphs, figures, and tables within the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are in the public domain and can be used without permission.
• Most photos and illustrations are not in the public domain and cannot be used for other purposes.
• Graphics numbered 1-8 and 1-9 can be used without permission.
• Reproduced content should be used as originally designed; it should not be altered or modified.
• If content is altered or modified, do not cite the Dietary Guidelines.
• Contact [email protected] for further questions.

Infants & Toddlers Key Recommendations

• Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life.
• Continued breastfeeding is recommended throughout the first year.
• Iron-fortified infant formula should be used if breastfeeding is unavailable.
• Supplemental vitamin D should be provided soon after birth.
• Introduce nutrient-dense complementary foods around 6 months.
• Introduce potentially allergenic foods alongside other complementary foods.

Key Recommendations (cont'd)

• Encourage a variety of food groups.
• Avoid added sugars and foods high in sodium.
• Transition to a healthy dietary pattern as the infant weans off human milk or formula.

Putting the Key Recommendations Into Action

• This section covers dietary recommendations for infants from birth through 23 months.

Feed Infants Human Milk for the First 6 Months (If Possible)

• Human milk provides essential nutrients, bioactive substances, and immunologic properties for infant health, growth, and development.
• If human milk is unavailable, utilize iron-fortified infant formula regulated by the FDA.
• Homemade formulas, and those imported without FDA review, should not be used.
• Handle and store expressed breast milk and infant formula safely.

Supplemental Vitamin D

• Infants who are exclusively breastfed or receive both human milk and formula need 400 IU of vitamin D per day soon after birth.
• Infant formula is fortified with vitamin D, therefore vitamin D supplementation for formula-fed infants is unnecessary.
• Young children may require vitamin D supplementation after 12 months. Consult a healthcare professional.

Introduce Nutrient-Dense Complementary Foods at About 6 Months

• Complementary foods are a crucial supplement to breast milk or formula feedings to provide adequate nutrition and exposure to varied foods.
• Some infants show readiness signs before 6 months, but foods shouldn't be introduced before age 4 months or after 6 months.
• Foods rich in iron and zinc are especially important for breastfed infants.

Readiness for Beginning Solid Foods

• Signs of readiness for solid foods include head and neck control, sitting, grasping objects, and attempting to swallow food.
• Developmentally appropriate foods prevent choking and are suited to the infant's abilities (size, consistency, shape).
• Serve foods on a high chair in a supervised area.
• Do not put solid food cereal in a bottle.

Introduce Potentially Allergenic Foods When Other Complementary Foods Are Introduced

• There's no evidence that delaying introducing allergenic foods prevents food allergies.
• Peanut-containing, egg, cow's milk, tree nuts, wheat, crustacean shellfish, fish, and soy should be introduced alongside other complementary foods.
• Introducing peanut-containing foods during the first year may reduce the risk of peanut allergy.

Infants at High Risk for Peanut Allergy

• Infants with eczema or egg allergies may need peanut-containing foods introduced earlier, ideally by 4 to 6 months, to lessen the risk of peanut allergies.
• Caregivers should consult with the child's healthcare provider before introducing peanut-containing foods.

Encourage Consumption of a Variety of Complementary Foods and Beverages

• Complementary foods and beverages should be rich in nutrients, meeting calorie and nutrient needs, and within dietary component limits, like added sugar and sodium.
• Introduce iron-rich foods (meats, seafood, fortified cereals), zinc-rich foods (meats, beans, fortified cereals), and a variety of foods from different groups at around 6 months.

A Nutrient-Dense, Diverse Diet from Age 6 Through 23 Months

• Protein foods (meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, soy products) are important sources of iron, zinc, protein, choline, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• Offer vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and minerals (potassium, Vitamin A, and C) Beans, peas, and lentils are excellent sources of protein and fiber.
• Introduce yogurt and cheese, including soy varieties, before the age of 12 months but Avoid cow's milk and fortified soy beverages until after 12 months.

Dietary Components to Limit

• Avoid added sugars for young children, as they do not need additional sugars in their diet.
• Avoid foods with high sodium content. Taste preferences for salty foods often develop early.
• Do not give honey or unpasteurized products to infants as it can be a risk for Clostridium botulinum.

Establish a Healthy Beverage Pattern

• Give small amounts of plain, fluoridated water with complementary foods.
• Do not replace human milk or infant formula with cow’s milk or fortified soy beverages before 12 months.
• Introduce whole cow’s milk (around 12 months) and consider plant-based alternatives (rice, oat, etc.), only after 12 months of age.
• Avoid 100% fruit or vegetable juice. Limit intake to 4 ounces a day when provided.

Establish a Healthy Beverage Pattern (cont'd)

• Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages for children under 2 years of age.
• Toddler milk and toddler drinks are often unnecessary, as they frequently contain added sugars.
• Avoid beverages with caffeine for infants and toddlers.

Healthy Dietary Pattern During the Toddler's Second Year of Life

• This section focuses on the dietary needs of toddlers in their second year of life

Healthy U.S. Style Dietary Pattern: Toddlers Ages 12 Through 23 Months Who Are No Longer Receiving Human Milk or Infant Formula

• Provides detailed recommendations for food groups, calorie levels, and portions (tables included).

Make Healthy Shifts to Empower Toddlers to Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods in Dietary Patterns

• Early food preferences significantly shape future choices.
• Initial choices focusing on nutrient-dense foods establish healthy dietary patterns.

Current Intakes: 12 Through 23 Months

• Presents data comparing average intake to recommended daily intake ranges, highlighting areas needing attention (e.g., added sugars are higher than guidelines).

Average Intakes of Subgroups Compared to Recommended Intake Ranges: 12 Through 23 Months

• Details the average intake of different food subgroups and compares them to recommended intake ranges.

Supporting Healthy Eating

• Parents, caregivers, and guardians play a critical role in shaping healthy eating habits.
• Understanding signs of hunger and fullness helps guide feeding choices.

Resources

• List common federal programs that support nutrition for women, infants, and children, such as WIC, CACFP, SNAP, and Head Start.