Good infant nutrition is a vital building block for a healthy life
Becoming a parent or guardian is a life-changing privilege, but also an enormous responsibility. Good quality nutrition gives infants and children the best possible start in life, something that every parent wants for their child. There are so many things to consider and worry about, and for a new parent it can feel somewhat overwhelming. Given the importance, it is important that the local community pharmacy is a source of advice and guidance.
Not only does good nutrition promote optimum growth and development during infancy, it also plays a role in helping to prevent obesity and some non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to the second birthday, is described by UNICEF as a unique period when the foundations of optimum health, growth, and neurodevelopment across the lifespan are established. The Department of Health recommends that weaning starts at six months for those babies who have been exclusively breastfed, or sometime between four-to-six months if the baby has been formula fed. It is not recommended to start solids before 17 weeks (four months) or to delay past 26 weeks, as a baby’s digestive system and kidneys are still developing. Easily digested breast milk or infant formula is all that is needed. Weaning too soon may also increase the risk of a baby developing infections and/or allergies.
Obesity
Unfortunately, childhood obesity is a serious public health problem. In Ireland, one in every five primary school children is overweight or obese, according to a survey conducted by the HSE. The survey, which was carried out as part of the World Health Organisation and European Union Child Obesity Surveillance Initiative, found that girls in fourth to sixth class were more likely to be obese or overweight than any other age and gender group.
Weight issues are more prevalent in disadvantaged schools, with one in every three primary school children between fourth and sixth class reportedly being overweight or obese. One-in-10 primary school children is classified as underweight. However, overall, in a positive note, the report also found that the prevalence of obesity in primary school children is continuing to go down year-on-year. The report also noted that childhood obesity is largely preventable through effective policies that work to support healthy growth and development.
The Irish Heart Foundation is working to halve childhood obesity by 2030, warning that obesity “represents the greatest single threat to the health and wellbeing of children in Ireland today and drastic action is needed to protect them.
The Irish Heart Foundation is working to halve childhood obesity by 2030
“It is estimated that overweight and obesity will be responsible for the deaths of 85,000 children on the island of Ireland and currently, children as young as eight are presenting with high blood pressure, while some teenagers have a heart health age of 60,” the foundation said.
As noted by the Minister for Health, Jennifer O’Carroll MacNeill, since the launch of A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) in 2016, the levels of obesity and overweight have stabilised. According to the Healthy Ireland Survey 2024, the rate of obesity, for all ages from 15 years old, stood at 21 per cent and the rate of overweight at 35 per cent.
“It is welcome that obesity rates are not rising,” she said. “However, given the projected increase to the overall population and in particular the ageing profile of our population, with greater numbers of older adults living with the health impacts of overweight and obesity in the coming decades, it is key that we seek to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity to reduce associated risks and costs.”
There are things parents can do to fight this trend, including encouraging good nutrition and living a healthy active life. For example, as the HSE notes, children with parents or guardians who are active are up to six times more likely to be active themselves. Being active is just as important for babies as it is for toddlers and older children. A baby needs lots of opportunities for free movement in a supervised and nurturing play environment, and the HSE advises parents or guardians to limit their baby’s inactivity to no more than one hour a day, except when they are asleep.
Before a baby begins to crawl, parents are advised to play on a floor mat with their baby, and place their baby on their tummy for a short time every day so they can stretch and develop their muscles. They should also be encouraged to be active by reaching, rolling, pulling, pushing and learning to move their head, arms, legs, and body.
Nutrition
In terms of nutrition, breastmilk is undoubtedly best for baby, something which is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation, which recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Breast milk is rich in the antibodies, essential enzymes, and hormones vital for a baby’s healthy growth. A remarkable substance, exclusive breastfeeding may help in the prevention of allergies and promote the development of healthy gut microbiota. However, it is important to note that breastfeeding is not always possible for a variety of reasons, but there are a range of formula milks available from trusted brands.
Breastmilk is undoubtedly best for baby, something which is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation
The food manufacturer Danone fully supports the WHO’s recommendation on breastfeeding and believes that it must be protected and promoted. One of its products is Aptamil First Infant Milk, which is suitable from birth. It is available from all major supermarkets and pharmacies and comes in a range of forms.
For low-birthweight infants, Aptamil Nutriprem 1 is a proven formula and is considered a ‘Food for Special Medical Purposes’. This dietary management tool is part of the Nutriprem range of products and is designed for preterm infants weighing 1-to-1.8kg. It provides energy and nutrients to support intrauterine growth rates, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, nucleotides, vitamins and minerals to help meet the nutritional requirements of preterm infants.
Colic can be very disressing for both baby and parents. It can have many causes, such as temporary lactose intolerance. When the baby’s digestive system is still developing, it can be difficult for baby’s delicate stomach to break down certain elements in breast and bottled milk. Colief Infant Drops is a proven, evidence-based treatment that is suitable from birth. Colief Infant Drops are completely natural and help break down lactose into simpler sugars, glucose and galactose. This makes it easier for a baby to digest their feeds, and reduces pain and discomfort.
There is also Aptamil Comfort Baby Milk, which is formulated for the dietary management of colic and constipation in bottle-fed babies. It is nutritionally complete and is suitable as the sole source of nutrition from birth to six months, or as part of a weaning diet from six months.
From six months, parents may want to consider moving to SMA Advanced Follow-on Milk, specifically tailored to support a weaning diet. A fortified milk drink, it is enriched with iron to help support normal cognitive development in a baby’s brain, and containing a blend of vitamins, including A, C and D, to help support the normal function of a baby’s immune system. Vitamin D and calcium are also included to support the normal growth and development of bones. Omega 3 and 6 and iodine are also present to help support normal growth.
Later in childhood, there is SMA Pro Growing Up Milk, which is nutritionally enriched to help support children’s healthy growth up until their 4th birthday. It contains vitamin D and calcium to support the normal growth and development of bones, and Omega 3 and 6, and iodine. It also contains a blend of vitamins, including A, C, and D to help support the normal function of the immune system. Like other products, SMA Pro Growing Up Milk is also enriched with iron to help support normal cognitive development in a child’s brain.
Supplements can also help support healthy nutrition in infancy.
Given Ireland’s northern latitude, getting enough vitamin D through sunlight alone can be a challenge for Irish children. As the HSE notes, people in Ireland of all ages have low levels of vitamin D, but fortunately there are a range of appropriate supplements.
Optibac Baby Drops is a premium liquid supplement designed to enhance a baby’s natural gut flora from birth. Formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients, Baby Drops feature Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, a scientifically-studied strain trusted by thousands of newborns and babies. It can be given to infants from birth to three years old.
Baby Vit D3 Pure Vitamin D Drops is specially developed for newborn babies, infants and young children to help meet their daily Vitamin D needs. It contains no preservatives, no parabens no artificial colours, no flavourings, no peanut additives, no sugars or lactose and no gluten, thus having negligible risk of allergic reaction.
Vitabiotics Wellbaby Vitamin D-Drops also is available. It has been carefully developed by Vitabiotics nutritional experts and is ideal for infants aged four months to five years. Optibac Baby Drops is a premium liquid supplement designed to enhance a baby’s natural gut flora from birth. Formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients, Baby Drops feature Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, a scientifically studied strain trusted by thousands of newborns and babies.
