INFANT & TODDLER

The Many Benefits Of Bonding With Your Baby

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.

Science-Based Nutrition Can Help Premature Infants Defy the Odds

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.

5 Tips for Introducing Your Baby to Solid Food

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?

Is Your Baby Eating Too Much or Too Little?

"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?

What Are Human Milk Oligosaccharides?

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.

What to Expect with Premature Baby Care

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.

7 Tips for Premature Baby Care

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.

Why Kids Need Healthy Protein Snacks

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.

6 Ways to Support Your Child's Immune System

Originally published in First Time Parent. It's a simple fact: kids tend to get sick a lot when they're young. In fact, children under age 6 get an average of six to eight colds a year, plus ear infections, bouts of diarrhea and other illnesses. On top of that, some also have allergies, asthma and eczema.

Why Human Milk Oligosaccharides Are a Breakthrough

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.

How Human Milk Oligosaccharides Benefit Babies

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.

Milk-Free Diet? Food and Ingredients to Avoid

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.

Ask The Expert: Milk Allergy or Lactose Intolerance?

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.

Milk Allergies in Children: A Parent's Nutrition Plan

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.

Does My Baby Have a Cow's Milk Allergy?

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.