Nutritional benefits of breastfeeding have been known for years. Information about the naturally occurring components in breastmilk can be found here.

Good nutrition is especially important for growing infants and toddlers. Establishing healthy eating habits early can help promote good nutrition for a lifetime. While most parents are aware that they should be promoting healthy eating habits, practical application of that knowledge is sometimes difficult. The transition from infancy to toddlerhood is a key period to impact a child’s relationship with food. Helping parents understand their important role in influencing lifelong behaviors is key. In addition, health professionals need to arm parents with information on age appropriate portion sizes and diets that match developmental needs.

The prevalence of children who are overweight or obese has doubled in the last 30 years. Those same overweight children are likely to become overweight adults and they are at risk in childhood of developing typically adult-onset disease such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, bone and joint problems, sleep disorders, and liver and heart disease. While genetics play a role in obesity, there are many strategies to modify the risk of becoming overweight and obese. Health professionals can help parents prevent childhood obesity by promoting healthy behaviors, such as breastfeeding, offering a variety of healthy foods, and allowing children to self regulate energy intake.

Childhood allergies are of increasing concern to parents and health professionals alike. There is a substantial amount of clinical research with evidence supporting a number of factors that may potentially influence the development of allergies. Genetic predisposition, type of birth (vaginal or C-section), the environment during childhood, the role of breastfeeding, and antibiotic use in infancy all play a role. Core allergy risk reduction strategies focus on ways parents and practitioners can affect this risk through recommendations on both environmental precautions and feeding choices.

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Immunology is a broad topic that covers all aspects of the immune system. From immunizations, to supporting a healthy immune system through nutrition and probiotic-supplementation, to the physiological functioning of the immune system. Unfortunately, our natural defenses are still susceptible to many infectious diseases, especially when there are malfunctions of the immune system or imbalances that may result in allergies or chronic infections, and treatment needs to be considered.

Digestibility of foods is important in raising happier, healthier children. Faster gastric emptying helps reduce the potential for reflux and spitting up and promotes soft stools. Dietary fiber is linked to improved GI function, weight management, and a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. A diet high in fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans will benefit children. Early introduction of these foods is important and any increase in fiber should be gradual and include an increase in fluids to avoid potential GI disturbances.

Emerging research supports the important role that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA plays in neurological development. It plays an important role in brain development, visual development, cardiovascular health and psychomotor development. Provided by mother to child through breastmilk or from fortified infant formula, intake of DHA can decrease once the child transitions to solid foods. Experts suggest that DHA is most essential during the brain’s “growth spurt,” a period which stretches from the last trimester in pregnancy through two years of age.

Health professionals can take a lead role in empowering consumers by providing education to help meet their top priorities, such as safety, nutrition, and eco-friendliness, at a reasonable cost. Answering questions about the current controversies can also help parents make informed decisions about the foods they purchase for their families. What does it mean if a product is certified organic, free range, natural, or fair trade? Or what is an ecolabel? And just because it’s organic, is it good for you?

As infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to food borne illness, keeping food safe to eat should be a priority for this age group. But with the globalization of today’s market, this task is not an easy one. Consumers are eating a wider variety of foods during all seasons, which may produce exposure to new pathogens or chemicals and raise issues surrounding safe transportation and storage. Several highly publicized outbreaks of food borne illness have also emphasized the important role of regulatory bodies in ensuring that imported foods and foods eaten away from home are safe to eat and properly labeled.

Help parents protect children from food borne illness and other food safety hazards by clicking on the following links and learning more about food safety in the home, on-the-go, and in the marketplace.

Infants who are born prematurely may require special medical attention - generally the level of extra care required depends on how early the birth occurs. About 12% (about 1 in 8) of all babies in the United States are born prematurely each year. Learn more about some of the challenges that a premature infant faces both immediately after birth, and as the infant grows. Providing additional information to your Moms who deliver early will help immensely as they begin their new family. These key articles and selected abstracts will help provide you with further knowledge in this area.

This material is provided exclusively for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It is also not intended to support or endorse the use of any product.