Infant and toddler nutrition is critical for nourishing babies’ growing bodies and developing brains, digestive, and immune systems. Get tips for supporting a child’s healthy eating habits now and later.
Discover the importance of carbohydrates for infants, their role in growth and brain development, and the different types found in infant formula.
Protein plays a critical role in a baby’s growth and development and is one of the key nutrients present in infant formula. Similar to breast milk, there are several types of proteins present in infant formula, each with their own unique role and digestive profile. Depending on the specific needs of the infant it is intended for, the exact protein composition may vary in infant formulas.
Key Takeaways
• Ireland is known for its milk and dairy products.
• There are various reasons why Ireland is an ideal place for dairy farming, such as Ireland’s temperate climate, grassy pastures and welfare-friendly farms.
• Made in Ireland, Pure Bliss® by Similac® Irish Farms* infant formula starts with fresh milk sourced from cows in Ireland and offers complete nutrition for your baby’s first 12 months.
Key Takeaways
• Toddlers can get dehydrated during various illnesses or really hot weather.
• Water, ice cubes, hydrating foods and frozen electrolyte fruit-flavored pops can all help your child stay hydrated.
• Watch for signs of dehydration, like fatigue, crankiness, and less urination.
How to Safely Prepare Powder Baby Formula
Key Takeaways:
• Parents and caregivers have so much to juggle with a new baby. Whether learning for the first time or refreshing your knowledge, knowing how to safely prepare powder baby formula is essential.
• A January 2024 article in Consumer Reports raised concerns about the accuracy of automated baby formula makers in delivering the correct formula-to-water ratios.
• When preparing baby formula manually, follow the label instructions on the container to ensure proper handling and preparation each time. With the right preparation, you can help ensure a nutritionally complete bottle for your baby.
One of the most exciting parts of caring for your baby is watching them grow and reach new milestones right before your eyes. They'll develop an appetite for and interest in solid foods during their first year of life. Your job, during this exciting journey together, is not only to guide their nutrition but also to decode their unique language of cues — a symphony of expressions, gestures and coos in reaction to these new sensations.
Breast milk is considered the gold standard, but some parents can’t or choose not to breastfeed, while others rely on both formula and breastfeeding. Those who use formula should know how to make a baby bottle to keep their baby healthy. It's simple, but important to carefully follow the label instructions. Questions about feeding your child should be directed to a healthcare professional.
Providing the best possible care for your baby is a constant mission, from making sure they get enough sleep to keeping them nourished. It's what keeps you up at night as new parents (quite literally). Safely preparing a baby bottle is an important part of caring for your baby, whether you're breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, or feeding formula only.
Not sure how to prepare a baby bottle? Don't worry — we've got you covered! Making baby formula bottles is a skill that becomes second nature with the right guidance and practice.
Millions of parents rely on our formula to feed their babies. And we know that our recent recall caused additional stress and anxiety in an already challenging situation of a global supply shortage. We are working hard to help moms, dads and caregivers get the high-quality nutrition they need for their babies.
Once you've decided that formula feeding is in your postpartum plan, you might be overwhelmed with the variety of options. Given the number of formulas available, it's difficult to know which to choose. Additionally, learning the dos and don'ts of preparing formula for your baby can be a challenging postpartum task in and of itself. Here's how to decide which formula is right for your baby and how to feed your infant safely.
Today, one in 13 children has a food allergy. According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization that studies food allergies and their impact on Americans, that's roughly two children in every classroom. When your son or daughter has dietary limitations such as these, it's natural to worry about them coming in contact to foods at school and other places that could make them ill.
But what if food allergies could be prevented in the first place? According to preclinical research, this may be possible one day — perhaps even in our lifetime. The key lies in the makeup of a child's gut bacteria.
Cuddling with your infant is the best, and not just because of their soft skin and sweet smell, but also because of how beneficial it is for their bonding, growth and development.
And much like how snuggling, talking and playing with your little one — things you'll love doing anyway — do wonders for stimulating your child intellectually, it can also help you learn important cues and habits.
Welcoming a new baby to the world is one of the most exciting parts of life.
But for parents of premature infants, it can also be a frightening time. When Kolton was born at just 22 weeks and three days, doctors worried he wouldn't survive the first 24 hours of his life. He miraculously did, but Kolton's fight was far from over.
You've got a spoon in one hand and a camera in the other: You're ready to feed your baby their first real food! It's an exciting time, but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking for parents. Will your baby open up for the airplane? Is now the right time to try solid food? Is it safe?
Take a deep breath. You've got this. Barbara Marriage, Ph.D., R.D., an Abbott research scientist, registered dietitian and expert in pediatric nutrition, shares her top five tips for how to introduce solids and set your baby on the right track for a lifetime of good nutrition.
"Good job! You finished the whole bottle!"
As a parent, it's normal to gauge your baby's nutrition by bottles emptied — half-finished bottles are worrisome, and empty ones are a cause for celebration. When babies cry, hunger is one of the first things that comes to mind. Additionally, feeding is something any new parent will think about several times a day. So how much should a baby eat?
In their first year of life, think of all the sights, sounds and smells newborns get to experience for the first time.
As a parent, watching your child explore the world is fascinating, but you may also be a little concerned too. In this short span of time, your little one will likely be exposed to more than a thousand species of bacteria — all helping to build his or her developing immune system.
Waiting for a baby to arrive is a time full of excitement and anticipation. And sometimes those bundles of joy decide to come too early. It can be a scary time, but there is good news. Over the last few decades, there have been major advancements that has made feeding preemies in the NICU easier and more effective than ever. And these tiny babies need all the nutrition they can get, as they are finishing their growth and development outside in the real world versus inside mom's womb.
When parents unexpectedly find themselves with a preemie, it's perfectly natural to have a lot of questions about premature baby development while your newborn is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). And since your baby is so small, it's crucial that she receive the nutrition she needs to help her grow, develop, meet her milestones and go home.
As a parent of a premature baby, there's nothing more exciting than finally bringing your bundle of joy home from the hospital. But especially for new parents, providing the best possible care can also be a nerve-wracking experience.
Take a deep breath. With a few bits of expert info, you can provide the care your new baby deserves, parent with confidence and enjoy every moment together.
If a child is growing slowly or is small for their age, nutritious meals are often a good place to start, but they might not be enough. Some children simply don't have the appetite or have eating habits that prevent them from getting all the nutrition they need at mealtimes. Healthy snacks for kids can help provide nutrients that support optimal growth, especially when it comes to protein.
Jennifer Williams, MPH, pediatric nutrition researcher with Abbott, explains that protein supplies the raw materials growing bodies need to build cells, tissues, muscles and bones. Sufficient daily protein intake also plays an important role in the metabolism of other nutrients, the formation of red blood cells and strengthening of the immune system.
Originally published in First Time Parent
We all know about the benefits of breast milk and, as moms, of course we want to give our babies the very best. But, the reality is that not every mom can breastfeed, either exclusively or at all.
That's where the benefit of years of pioneering Abbott research comes in. Dedicated to helping mothers provide their babies with the best nutrition, Abbott researchers continuously analyze breast milk, the "gold standard" of infant nutrition, in an effort to unlock its potential for formula-fed babies around the world.
Human milk oligosaccharides*, otherwise known as HMOs, are a very special type of prebiotic found in mothers' breast milk. In fact, they are the largest solid component of breast milk after carbohydrates and fat.
However, until very recently it was not widely understood exactly how these prebiotics benefit babies and why it's important for them to be in a baby's diet.
When it comes to feeding your child, you naturally want to give them as many healthy foods as possible. However, if your child has a cow's milk allergy, you will need to eliminate all sources of milk.
The challenge? Milk-containing ingredients aren't only found in dairy foods.
In this series, our experts answer nutrition questions to help you nourish your best life at every age.
Here, Abbott research scientist Jan Kajzer, MS, RD, LD explains how to spot the signs of each plus discusses when you should get advice from a doctor.
Happy baby, happy parents. But, when tummy troubles strike that balance can be upset. And it's important to get to the root of the problem so you can help your baby feel better and feed comfortably as soon as possible.
As a parent, your child's nutrition is always on your mind. Maybe you breastfeed, or carefully select infant formulas that will give your baby the best start possible, and you're probably already thinking of ways to make sure your growing tot learns to love vegetables.
When a pediatrician tells you that your baby has a milk allergy it's normal to be a bit uneasy. The most important thing you can do is keep an open dialogue with your pediatrician and ideally even reach out to an allergist or registered dietitian.
As a parent you always want the best for your baby and that includes protecting them from anything unpleasant or harmful. When repeated tummy troubles or other symptoms strike after feedings, you might be asking yourself: "Does my baby have a milk allergy?" It's a reasonable concern and there are things you can do to keep your baby safe.
Jan Kajzer, MS, RD, LD, an Abbott pediatric nutrition researcher specializing in food allergies, shares what to look for.
NUTRITION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. THAT’S WHY WE WORK HARD TO ADVANCE AND SHARE THE LATEST SCIENCE AND CREATE BETTER WAYS TO NOURISH YOUR BODY AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.
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