Early Life Nutrition
Foetal life, infancy, and childhood are a time of rapid growth and development that requires the right energy and nutrition. This is the time in a young life when nutrition can have an impact that lasts a lifetime. Early life nutrition has a significant role on the brain and immune system development, as well as how the body reacts to foods or nutrients, that in turn may influence the likelihood of developing conditions such as obesity, allergies, heart disease and diabetes in later life.
Smart nutrition planning starts in the earliest days of pregnancy and continues through a child’s first few years. At each stage of a young life, Nutricia is dedicated to improving the generations of today and tomorrow through early life nutrition with expertise, support and advice.
1st Trimester
Pregnancy diet and nutrition
Eating a healthy, balanced diet when you’re pregnant, and taking a regular pregnancy supplement, should give you and your baby all the nutrients you need. Unless your healthcare professional advises otherwise, no other supplements are necessary.
Did you know
You can expect to gain around 10-13kgs over the course of your pregnancy.
Folic acid in pregnancy
Folic acid (also known as folate) is a B-group vitamin that’s important for the healthy development of the foetus in early pregnancy. If you’re of child-bearing age, are pregnant, or planning on getting pregnant, it’s recommended you take extra folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. The best way to get enough folate is to take a daily supplement for at least one month before your child is conceived, and three months after.
At least 600µg per day + 400µg folic acid supplement.
Find out more at:
Food Standards ANZ
Better Health
Did you know
In September 2009, it became a legal requirement in Australia that all bread-making flour, except organic flour, contain added folic acid.
Iodine in pregnancy
Your thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones that are important for the normal development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. So it’s very important that you consume enough iodine when you’re pregnant.
220µg per day + 150µg iodine supplement
Find out more at:
NHMRC
Did you know
When you’re pregnant, your body produces 50% more thyroid hormone, and so it’s recommended you take a daily iodine supplement.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting, or ‘morning sickness’, affects up to 2/3 of pregnant women. Eating regular small meals, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, and eating small snacks such as crackers and fruit may help.
Find out more at:
Better Health
NCBI
Did you know
Research has shown that eating 1g of ginger daily may help with morning sickness.
Calcium in pregnancy
Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. When you’re pregnant, your calcium needs don’t actually increase: 1,000mg daily (for women aged 19–50) and 1,300mg daily (for adolescents or women over 51). Dairy foods (such as milk, cheese and yoghurt) and calcium-fortified soymilk are excellent dietary sources of calcium.
1000mg per day
Find out more at:
Better Health
NIAMS
Did you know
When pregnant, you have an increased capacity to absorb dietary calcium, meaning you don’t actually need more calcium.
Omega 3 DHA fatty acids in pregnancy
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids are very important for your baby’s neurological development. If you’re pregnant or breast feeding, it’s recommended you consume 200mg of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA daily.
200mg per day
Find out more at:
NSW Food Authority
American Society of Nutrition
Did you know
Supplementing your diet with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA when you’re pregnant may help reduce the risk of having a preterm birth.
Mercury in fish
Although it’s important to continue to eat fish when you’re pregnant, you need to be careful about which fish you choose. Some types of fish contain mercury levels that can harm your baby’s developing nervous system. This includes orange roughy (deep sea perch), swordfish and marlin. Instead, opt for fish such as mackerel, canned tuna, salmon and sardines.
Find out more at:
NSW Food Authority
Did you know
Fish oil products and supplements aren’t a major source of dietary mercury and there’s no recommendation to restrict them in pregnancy.
Iron requirements in pregnancy
Increasing your intake of iron - either through your diet or by taking a supplement - can help build your baby’s iron stores. Iron helps support their blood formation, which helps transport oxygen around their body.
27mg per day
Did you know
Iron deficiency in pregnancy is common in Australia and many women need an iron supplement. Make sure you get your healthcare professional to check your iron levels.
Vitamin D in pregnancy
Consuming vitamin D is vital for your baby’s bone structure. It can also prevent Ricketts, and may reduce their risk of allergies.
Did you know
Safe exposure to sunlight, a healthy diet and a pregnancy supplement may be enough in meeting your vitamin D needs.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Vitamin D may support the development of the immune system and reduce the risks of allergy.
Foods to avoid during pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, there are some foods that are recommended to avoid. This is usually because the food has a higher risk of containing bacteria such as listeria or salmonella.
Foods to avoid: Unpasteurised milk or any foods made from unpasteurised milk, liver and patés, raw seafood, raw meats, raw or runny eggs, cold cooked chicken, processed meats, soft cheeses, pre-packed salads and alcohol.
Foods to limit: Shark, swordfish, orange roughy (also called deep sea perch), catfish and caffeine.
Find out more at:
NSW Food Authority - Pregnancy Table
NSW Food Authority - Pregnancy Brochure
Australian Dietary Guidelines
Did you know
The Australian Dietary Guidelines have recently been revised and re-published. They provide up-to-date advice about the amounts and kinds of foods that are safe to eat when pregnant.
Should nuts be avoided during pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant or breast feeding, you don’t need to avoid consuming nuts for fear of causing an allergic reaction in your baby. You only need to avoid nuts if you are allergic to them.
Find out more at:
Australian Dietary Guidelines
Did you know
Exposure to allergens - such as nuts - whilst in utero may help prime your child's immune system to prevent later allergic reactions.
2nd trimester
The myth of "eating for two"
There’s no need to eat more food during the first trimester of pregnancy. For the first trimester, your energy intake should stay about the same as it was before you were pregnant. During the second and third trimesters, your energy requirements will probably increase by about 1,400kJ - 1,900kJ a day. Increasing your diet with small snacks such as an additional piece of fruit, a sandwich or a tub of yoghurt will give you the extra energy you need.
1,400kJ - 1,900kJ extra a day
Find out more at:
NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values for ANZ
3rd trimester
Constipation during pregnancy
Constipation can be quite common during pregnancy. To help, it’s recommended you eat a high fibre diet with plenty of wholegrain cereals, fruit, vegetables and legumes and sufficient water.
Find out more at:
Australian Dietary Guidelines
Did you know
As well as extra fibre, many women say that exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of constipation.
0-3 months
Benefits of breast milk
Nutritionally complete, breast milk is the only food a baby needs until around six months. It can also help create a special bond between you and your baby.
Did you know
Prolactin (the hormone that tells the breast to make milk) is highest at night, so feeding your baby at night is very important for your milk supply.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Breast milk delivers important antibodies that build your baby’s immune system.
Gut micro flora during breast feeding
A key benefit of breast feeding is that it helps establish and improve your baby’s gut micro flora.
Find out more at:
American Society of Nutrition
Did you know
Your breast milk is made as required to suit your baby and changes to match your baby’s needs as they grow.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Gut micro flora helps to develop and strengthen your child's immune system.
Iodine when breast feeding
By consuming enough iodine when breast feeding, you can help support the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.
270µg per day
Did you know
Babies are completely dependent on milk as a source of iodine, and need around 90 to 100µg of iodine per day. Babies use this iodine to build their own reserves of thyroid hormones.
Folic acid when breast feeding
It’s important that you get enough folic acid when you’re breast feeding, as this supports your baby’s normal growth and development.
500µg per day
Did you know
In September 2009, it became a legal requirement in Australia that all bread-making flour, except organic flour, contain added folic acid.
3-6 months
Vitamin D for newborns
Vitamin D is important for normal bone structure, can prevent Ricketts and may reduce your child's risk of allergies. Most breast fed infants receive enough vitamin D through breast milk & casual exposure to sunlight. However, if you are concerned about your child's vitamin D level, please consult your healthcare professional.
Did you know
Safe exposure to sunlight and a vitamin D supplement, for mum, may help ensure your baby gets enough vitamin D.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Vitamin D can possibly support the development of the immune system and may reduce the risks of allergy.
Introduction of solids
In Australia, it’s currently recommended that solids are introduced around six months, but not before four months. This is necessary to meet your child's nutritional and developmental needs. A wide variety of food - with an appropriate range of texture and consistency - should be introduced so that, by 12 months, your child is consuming a range of your family's food.
Find out more at:
Better Health
Nutrition and the Immune System
Many experts have recently reversed their opinion on allergies in children. It’s now believed that introducing your baby to all sorts of solid foods can help support your child's developing immune system and assist in preventing allergies.
Iron-rich first foods
First foods should be iron-enriched to replace your baby’s iron stores. This can help your baby to form blood, and to transport oxygen around their body. Examples of iron-enriched foods include iron-enriched infant cereals, as well as pureed meats, poultry & fish.
Did you know
It’s believed that up to 5% of the Australian population is iron deficient.
6-12 months
Introduction of Nuts
Nuts can be a choking hazard for small children due to their size and consistency. As such, they shouldn’t be given to children under three. However, you can offer nut pastes and nut spreads from around six months.
Find out more at:
Australian Dietary Guidelines
Did you know
The peanut is technically a legume.
Nutrition and the Immune System
This early exposure to nuts may help prime your child's developing immune system to tolerate the potential allergen now and later in life.
Cows' milk - safe usage
While you shouldn’t give your baby cows’ milk under one, it can be used as an ingredient in cooked foods. Until your baby’s first birthday, use breast milk or a scientifically formulated breast milk substitute (infant or follow-on formula) in their cereal.
Breast milk while introducing solids
Solid food will not fulfil your child’s full nutritional needs, so you’ll need to continue breast feeding or using a scientifically formulated breast milk substitute (infant or follow-on formula) in this phase.
Continuation of breast feeding at this stage will support the progression of your child's immune system.
Introduction of water
If required, at six months of age you can start giving your baby cooled, boiled tap water.
Did you know
Most exclusively breast fed infants do not require additional fluids.
Vitamin C while introducing solids
Vitamin C can help your baby to absorb iron from solid food. Your child should be encouraged to eat fruit to meet their daily requirements, although fruit juices and drinks are not recommended at this age.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Vitamin C can be used as a booster for a child's immune system.
12-24 months
Introduction of other drinks
After your child turns one, you can introduce drinks other than breast milk, formula or water. This can include cows’ milk or toddler nutritional supplements or diluted juice.
Find out more at:
Nutrition Australia
Did you know
If you decide to give your baby juice, make sure it’s diluted, as high levels of fructose can cause restlessness, gas and stomach distress in toddlers.
What is a toddler nutritional supplement?
Toddler nutritional supplements are especially formulated for toddlers from the age of one year for when their diet is inadequate. They are cows’ milk based and contain essential vitamins and minerals for growth and development.
Find out more at:
NHMRC
Did you know
A toddler's stomach is much smaller than an adults and therefore they require small frequent meals of nutrient rich foods.
Role of toddler nutritional supplements
Toddler nutritional supplement drinks are scientifically formulated for toddlers from the age of one year. They are supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals for growth and development, from when dietary intake may be inadequate.
Find out more at:
NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values for ANZ
Did you know
1/3 of Australian children aged 1- 3 years have low iron stores.
Nutrition and the Immune System
Some toddler nutritional supplement drinks provide additional support, such as prebiotics, for your child's developing immune system.
When can a formula-fed toddler move to cows' milk?
From 1 year of age, toddlers can begin drinking cows’ milk. It is recommended that this be full fat milk, and that low fat or skim milks are avoided.
500mL per day
Find out more at:
Parenting & Child Health
Did you know
Toddlers should be getting the majority of their nutrition through solid food. Their consumption of cows' milk (or a toddler nutritional supplement) should be limited to no more than 500mL per day so they continue to eat their meals.
Rapid growth during the toddler years
A toddler grows more in the first three years of life than they will at any other time. Their stomach though is still very small, limiting the volume of food they can consume. This is why a toddler's nutrition is so important.
Did you know
A toddler will grow double their height and five times their weight in the first 3 years of life.
Main nutrient gaps in a toddler's diet
In Australia and New Zealand there is a prevalence of vitamin D, iodine, selenium and iron deficiency in toddlers. All of these are important for growth and development.
Find out more at:
NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values for ANZ
Did you know
Good sources of iron include red meats, liver, fish, chicken, legumes, tofu, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits.
Toddler diets
It is important that toddlers receive a variety of foods from the four main food
groups:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Breads and cereals
- Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans and other alternatives
- Milks, yoghurts, cheeses and/or alternatives
Find out more at:
NHMRC
Did you know
Toddlers should be encouraged to eat a family meal rather than anything specially prepared
Omega 3 DHA fatty acids for toddlers
Omega 3 DHA fats are important for brain and eye development. They are predominantly found in oily fish such as mackerel, herrings, sardines, salmon and tuna. They are also added in some toddler nutritional supplement drinks.
40mg per day
Find out more at:
Omega 3 Centre
Did you know
Fats in the diet are important as they aid in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Iron for toddlers
Iron is important for brain development in toddlers. Low iron in toddlers can have an impact on learning behaviours and can cause the toddler to become very tired.
9mg per day
Find out more at:
NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values for ANZ
Did you know
Red meats, liver, fish, chicken, legumes, tofu, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits are good sources of iron. Toddler nutritional supplements also contain iron.
Immunity during day care
Your child getting sick and missing day care is a reality for working mums. Providing good nutrition to support their immune system will help minimise the number of days off from day care.
Nutrition and the Immune System
70% of the immune system lies in the gut which is why nutrition is so important for toddlers.
What are the best sources of calcium for toddlers?
Calcium is important for bone development in toddlers. The best sources of calcium are dairy products such as milk (cows’ milk or toddler nutritional supplement), cheese and yoghurt.
500mg per day
Find out more at:
NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values for ANZ
Did you know
Vitamin D and exercise are also important factors in bone development.