Clinical and Health Topics

Premature infants have unique nutritional needs to support their still-maturing digestive system and internal organs, along with rapid growth. Special nutritional strategies include early introduction of breastmilk, and exploration of other feeding options when breastmilk may not be an option.

Breastfeeding is the infant’s best start in life. Breastmilk is the nutritionally perfect food for the infant, due not only to its optimal nutritional profile, but also to naturally occurring immunological components – which together promote healthy growth and development and support for a healthy immune system.

Because early nutrition and eating habits influence a child’s health and development, it is crucial to provide parents with dietary and feeding guidance. Learn about approaches parents can take to help their child develop a healthy relationship with food.

The prevalence of children 2–5 years of age who are overweight or obese has doubled in the past 30 years. Chronic diseases associated with obesity in adulthood are now being seen in early childhood, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea.

Childhood allergies are a major health issue, and increasing evidence is confirming a range of allergy risk factors. Given the burden of allergy on the child and their family, more emphasis needs to be placed on strategies for risk reduction.

Building a healthy immune system takes time. The infant’s immune system is supported in utero by maternal immunoglobulins. After birth, early nutrition and feeding choices, including breastfeeding and probiotics; immunizations; and environmental exposure contribute to healthy immune system development.

Evidence indicates that the potential benefits of dietary fiber range from maintaining a healthy GI tract to helping reduce the risk of obesity. These health benefits support early introduction of fiber-rich foods as part of a healthy diet.

Research shows that nutrition is a key influence on early cognitive and visual development. DHA and ARA are two of the major omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids of neural tissue; iron and choline also provide important nutrition support in cognitive development.

What does “organic” really mean? What qualifies a food to be “certified organic”? Are organic foods healthier? Answering questions parents may have can help them make informed decisions about the foods they purchase for their infants and young children.

Food safety pertains to both food-borne illness and to ensuring that infants and young children are offered foods with textures and consistencies that are appropriate to their developmental stage. It is important for parents to receive guidance on these important aspects of food safety.