This is an automatically translated article.
The article was consulted professionally with Th.S BS. Ngo Thi Oanh - Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.When children start to eat complementary foods, whether they choose traditional or modern methods, they still have to satisfy the criteria that in their diets, there are 4 groups of essential nutrients: Protein, sugar, fat, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, fat is one of the four essential nutrients for the development of children.
1. Should fats be monitored in children's foods?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that fats should not be restricted in children's diets until they are 2 years old. Fat is a good source of energy for your rapidly growing baby. And because your baby's brain is made up largely of fat, it's also important for brain development.Your baby will get enough fat for the first 4 to 6 months from breast milk or formula. When your baby eats solids , let him enjoy full-fat dairy products like yogurt and cheese... even if you intend to feed the rest of your family on a low-calorie diet. fat. But don't give your baby whole milk until he's 1 year old, either, because breast milk or formula should be your baby's drink of choice for the first year.
Finally, when your child turns 2, you can gradually reduce the fat in your child's diet, by switching to low-fat versions of milk and dairy products. And by the time your baby turns 5, you'll want to reduce the fat content of your diet to about 30% of calories.
Note that although your baby needs fat, there are things you will want to limit, such as excess added sugar and salt in particular. Offer your child small amounts of solids as possible, avoiding soft drinks, sugary snacks, desserts, and foods high in salt such as processed meats, fast foods, and canned goods.
Most baby food manufacturers already monitor the salt content, but if you make your own baby food at home, no salt is needed. Give your baby the chance to enjoy the natural flavors of foods without adding sugar, salt or other flavorings.
2. How do I know if my baby's weight is worrisome?
If you are concerned about your baby's weight, consult your baby's doctor. Growth, development, and weight are topics that are expected to be discussed during routine baby visits.During the neonatal period, the doctor will chart the baby's growth. The chart will show weight for length. You can use the charts to track your child's growth trends and compare your child's growth with the growth of children of the same sex and age. According to the World Health Organization growth chart, a baby with a weight-for-length greater than the 98th percentile is considered to have a high weight-for-length index.
Remember, babies need a high-fat diet to support growth during the infancy. Exclusively breastfed babies get about half of their daily calories from fat in breast milk. Therefore, calorie restriction for the purpose of weight loss is not recommended for children 2 years of age and younger.
However, excess fat and calories can still be a concern. For example, being too heavy can slow crawling and walking. These are essential parts of a child's physical and mental development. While an older child may not become an overweight child, an obese child can often remain obese as an adult.
Trẻ bú mẹ hoàn toàn nhận được khoảng một nửa lượng calo hàng ngày từ chất béo trong sữa mẹ
3. Some notes to keep the baby at a reasonable weight
Watch your weight gain during pregnancy, excessive weight gain during pregnancy can increase your baby's birth weight. Research shows that as birth weight increases, so does the risk of childhood obesity.Breastfeeding: Some studies show that breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood obesity. Limit sugary drinks: Juice should not be a necessary part of a child's diet. When you start giving your baby solid foods, consider offering nutritious fruits and vegetables. Try ways to soothe your baby: Don't automatically switch to breast milk or formula to calm your baby's cries. Sometimes, a new location, a calmer environment, or a gentle touch is all that is needed. Limit media use: The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children under 2 years of age. The more TV your child watches, the more likely they are to be overweight. As your child gets older, continue to talk with the doctor about weight and nutrition. For further guidance, you can also consult a registered dietitian. In order to prevent diseases that young children are susceptible to, parents should pay attention to a diet to improve the child's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the Vinmec.com website regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.
References: babycenter.com, emro.who.in, mayoclinic.org
