Lesson Duration: 1 Hour

Overall Goal

Clients will be aware of nutritional needs of the infants.

Objectives

Clients will be able to:

1. List 3 reasons why breastfeeding is preferred.
2. State when other foods may be incorporated into infants’ diet.
3. Discuss dangers of poor nutrition.

Resources

• Models/Diagrams of foods containing the 6 nutrients.
• Photographs of healthy and “sick” infant.
• Food items.
• Television.
• Video Cassette Recorder.
• Video tape “Infant Nutrition” (if available).
• Pencils for clients.
• Writing pads or paper for clients`.
• Handouts:
  1. Breast feeding.
  2. Feeding Guide for Infants Birth to 12 months.

Introduction

“You are what you eat”

Discuss quote: Is it really true?

Pre-test

Body

Nutrients are substances found in food which are needed to keep the baby healthy and help them to grow.

Breast milk is the perfect food for the first 6 months of the baby’s life and contains the nutrients needed in the right amounts. It also has substances to fight germs or infection. Preparation for infant feeding should begin before and during pregnancy.

It is important that you choose now what you will feed the baby and how these foods will be prepared. Breastfeeding encourages bonding. It is at the correct temperature and is sterile. Additionally, it decreases the amount of mothers’ blood loss and has some contraceptive value. (However, the Ministry of Health does not put this forward as an effective contraceptive method.) Poor nutrition increases the risk of infection and the baby will grow slowly and will not develop in the right way.

Weaning is the introduction of new foods other than milk into the infants’ diet. This usually begins at 6 months. New foods are to be introduced or added to the diet 1 at a time, to pick out any allergies. It is important so that you can know or identify if the infant has any allergies or can tolerate/digest the new food. For example, if juice is given, only juice should be given for 1 week, then change to mashed potatoes. Baby cereal is baby’s first solid food and should not be given in a bottle. One hundred percent (100%) juice should be given in a cup and not a bottle.*

Proteins are the nutrients that build muscles – for example milk, meat (fish and chicken), peanut butter, peas and beans.

Carbohydrates supply the body with energy – for example, potato, rice, bread and cereal.

Vitamins and Minerals protect the body from infection and help other nutrients to do their job – for example, fruits and vegetables.

Water helps dissolve nutrients, keeps the cells and organs healthy and helps flush poisons out the body – for example, skim milk, fruit juice, vegetables and pure drinking water.

Fats are usually stored by the body to provide energy and warmth – for example, butter, egg yolk, vegetable oil, including olive oil, and cod liver oil.

Fibre or Roughage aids healthy functioning of the bowels and prevents constipation – for example, fruits and vegetables.

Summary

Breastfeeding is the best choice because it has all the nutrients in the right amounts and correct temperature for the baby. Breast milk is sterile, and helps the baby to fight disease, develop facial muscles and makes the baby feel more loved.

Breastfeeding may help mothers to lose weight faster, bleed less after delivery and feel closer to their baby. If possible breastfed babies should be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months.

Weaning usually begins when the baby is 6 months. New foods are introduced one at a time to identify any allergies or digestive problems.

The dangers of poor nutrition for the infant:

1. Failure to grow properly
2. Will not be as smart as they can be.
3. Emotional problems.
4. More infections and illness.

Vocabulary

Weaning

• The slow introduction of baby to regular foods.