The age ranges of individuals in their developmental processes, from birth to adolescence; 0-1 year old is called baby, 1-6 year old is called preschool age, 6-12 year old is called school age, 12-18 year old is called adolescent age. It is very important for a newborn baby to have adequate and balanced nutrition for healthy growth and development. The most important nutrient that ensures growth and development in infancy is breast milk.
Feeding the baby with breast milk not only ensures a spiritual closeness between the mother and the baby, but also provides the nutrients the baby needs. Breast milk develops and protects the baby's immune system. It reduces the risk of developing diseases such as Type II Diabetes and Cardiovascular diseases that may occur in later ages. It is beneficial for the baby's sensory and cognitive development. Babies should be fed only breast milk until the 6th month, if breast milk is sufficient. If it is not enough, there is no harm in giving nutritious and easy-to-digest additional foods.
Feeding the baby with breast milk until the age of 2 moves the development chart upwards. Breast milk is called colostrum (colostrum), transitional milk and mature milk, depending on the period when it is secreted and its composition. Colostrum; It is the milk secreted in the first 5 days after birth. Although its fat and lactose content is low, it is very rich in protein. It protects the baby's gastrointestinal (in other words, digestive) system from disease-causing (pathogenic) microorganisms coming from the external environment by covering the baby's gastrointestinal (digestive) system with substances (immunoglobulins) developed by the body against structures that do not belong to itself, as a mucosal layer, in other words, as mucus tissue. It is considered the baby's first vaccination. Transitional milk; It is the milk secreted between 7-14 days after birth. Mature milk (mature); It is secreted after the fifteenth day. Although its composition varies from mother to mother, it also varies depending on the duration of breastfeeding and breastfeeding. At the beginning of breastfeeding, carbohydrate-rich foremilk comes, and at the end of breastfeeding, fat-rich hindmilk comes. In order for the last milk to come out, the baby must suckle the breast strongly for about 10-30 minutes. otherwise appreciated It may not be possible to reach fat-rich hind milk.
Growth continues after one year of age. Preschool age, between the ages of 1 and 6, is an important period for children to acquire eating habits. Children in this age range lay the foundation for future nutrition with the eating habits they acquire from their families. For this reason, it is necessary to educate the child about adequate and balanced nutrition and to develop habits. The family's attitude towards the child's nutrition and eating becomes important. Criticizing the child for eating less, insisting that he eat as much as the family wants, and comparing him with other children negatively affect the acquisition of eating habits. The child's needs should be determined and the child should be fed according to these needs. It should not be forgotten that children, like every individual, have different metabolic rates. Considering this situation, growth status should be a guide in child nutrition.
Children who have not started supplementary food in time, encounter feeding difficulties after the age of two. Chewing movements in children begin from the age of one, and chewing of pulpy foods develops further towards school age. At the age of three or four, they begin to push food onto a spoon with their hands and eat with a fork. Drinking water from a glass develops around the age of three or four. From the age of three, children can eat on their own. At this age, children's oral control (oral motor) development should be taken into consideration and appropriate foods that are easy to eat should be selected. Consuming various foods provides energy and ensures that children get the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals they need. There is a difference between the energy consumption of children and the energy consumption of adults. In preschool age, it is necessary to prevent the child from getting used to non-nutritious foods such as chocolate, candy, cake, cola, etc. Eating times should be arranged. Offering children foods that are baked, grilled or boiled instead of fried foods will be beneficial in acquiring correct eating habits.
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