How much energy (calories) does an infant need?
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An infant requires about 45 to 50 calories per pound of body weight. This need is about twice as high as for adults when we look at it relative to body weight. This makes sense because to the rapid growth of infants, while during adulthood increases in height and the normal growth of the skeleton and organs has ceased.
Breast milk or most formulas will provide about 700 calories per quart or liter. The addition of solid foods in the latter half of infancy makes a significant contribution to an infant’s energy intake. |
How much protein does an infant need?
Protein needs are also much higher for infants than for adults. Infants require about 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (0.7 to 1.0 grams of protein per pound). Furthermore, at least 40 percent of the protein should come from more complete protein sources. In general, protein should contribute 20 percent or a little less to an infant’s energy intake, with fat (30 to 50 percent) and carbohydrate (30 to 50 percent) making up the remainder. The energy in mature breast milk is comprised of about 17 percent protein, 54 percent fat, and 40 percent carbohydrate. Cow’s milk formulas approximate these percentages, although they are slightly higher in protein (18 percent) and lower in fat (43 percent). Fat recommendations are higher for infants than for adults due to their high energy need versus their relatively small food intake. Do not worry about their blood lipids yet as their growth and development are more important. In fact, recommendations by the American Heart Association for eating a lower fat diet do not begin until after they have reached two years of age.
Are vitamin and mineral needs greater during infancy?
Relative to body weight, vitamin and mineral needs are also higher during infancy versus adulthood. Because the vitamin K content of breast milk is low and an infant’s digestive tract will not develop a healthy bacteria population for a few months, vitamin K is often administered to infants. A vitamin D supplement may be necessary for breast-fed infants who receive minimal exposure to sunlight or who have darker skin. Complementing breast-feeding with a vitamin D-fortified infant formula can assist in meeting an infant’s needs. Because the iron content of breast milk is relatively low, the introduction to solid foods between ages four to six months becomes very important in supplying this nutrient. Iron-fortified cereals are very good choices. Many pediatricians will recommend an iron supplement for infants during their first few months of life. Again, complementing breast-feeding with an iron-fortified infant formula can assist in meeting an infant’s needs. Also, infants fed a vegan or other meat-restrictive diets would need a vitamin B12 supplement.
What are infant formulas?
Cow’s milk-based infant formulas offer a nutritious complement to breast-feeding and can be used in place of it. These formulas, such as Similac, Enfamil, and Good Start (Nestle), are different from breast milk in that they are taken from cow’s milk and also do not contain all of the beneficial immune factors and certain other nutrients. However, manufacturers are constantly modifying these formulas to more closely match breast milk. Cow’s milk-based formulas generally contain casein as a protein source, which has been partially digested by heat treatment. This improves infant digestion of this protein and drastically decreases the likelihood of the formation of a discomforting curd in the digestive tract. Some formulas include only whey protein that is partially digested to ease digestive complications. Soy protein-based infant formulas, such as ProSobee, Isomil, and Alsoy, are an option for formula-fed infants who do not tolerate the cow’s milk-based formulas or vegetarian families. The American Academy of Pediatrics advise mothers not to feed their infants plain cow’s milk, especially skim milk, versus other options during the first year of the infant’slives. The composition is not compatible with an infant’s needs and may be detrimental to the baby’s health.
Beyond, calories and protein, what special nutrients are in infant formulas?
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In addition to providing energy and protein, many infant formulas are iron fortified and contain a complement of vitamins and minerals to improve their composition. Recently, DHA and ARA (arachidonic acid) fats have been included to some infant formulations. These fatty acids are richly found in the brain and other neurological tissue and are believed to be important for proper neurological and cognitive development. Additionally, some formulas contain antioxidants as well as bacterial strains such as Bifidobacteria which is important for properly functioning digestive tract. |
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