Ch.12: Nutrition Through the Life
Span: Pregnancy & Infancy
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Identify the most significant indicator of an
infant’s future health status
Identify the increased nutrient needs during
pregnancy
Describe appropriate food choices from the
Food Guide Pyramid for pregnant women
Identify weight gain recommendations for
pregnancy—underweight, normal weight, and
obese
Chapter 12: contd.
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Describe strategies to alleviate morning
sickness, heartburn, and constipation
during pregnancy
Identify life style practices to avoid
during pregnancy
List the benefits of breast feeding
Identify contraindications to breast
feeding
Chapter 12: contd.
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Identify nutrients that need to be
emphasized during lactation
List the main advantage of formula
feedings
Identify nutrient needs of the infant
Identify what vitamin-mineral
supplements may be needed for the
infant
Chapter 12: contd.
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Determine indicators for introducing
solid foods
Identify the single most important
nutritional measure to undertake during
the 1st year of a child’s life
Define nursing bottle tooth decay
(bottle mouth syndrome) and how to
prevent it
Preparing for Pregnancy
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There is a strong correlation between
pre-pregnancy weight and infant birth
weight.
Infant Birth Weight is the Most Potent
Single Indicator of the Infant’ s Future
Health Status
Low birth weight is 5½ pounds or less
Preparing for Pregnancy, Cntd.
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Low birth weight babies have a greater
chance of dying early in life
Pre-pregnancy nutrition determines
whether a mother will be able to grow a
healthy placenta
Placenta: provides nutrients and
oxygen to the developing fetus
Nutrition during Pregnancy
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Energy—one of the smallest increases—
only 300 kcalories per day in 2nd and 3rd
trimesters
Protein: extra 10 grams
Carbohydrate: generous amounts for
protein sparing
Vitamins: Folate and B12 increased for
new cell and red blood cell production
Nutrition, Cntd.
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Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus and
magnesium in demand for bone
development and growth
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Fluoride: Fluoridate water or supplements
recommended for teeth development
Iron: Increase needed to develop stores in
the fetus
Food Group Choices
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Choose foods of high nutrient density
since energy needs only increase
slightly
Milk group: nonfat or skimmed milk
products
Meat Group: lean meats, eggs and liver
Vegetables: dark greens, deep yellows
Food Groups, cntd.
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Fruits: Vitamin C rich sources
Breads and Cereals: Whole grain and
high fiber
Recommended Weight Gain
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Underweight: 28-40 pounds
Normal weight: 25-35 pounds
Overweight: 15-25 pounds (never try
to diet during pregnancy)
Ideal weight gain is 3½ pounds during
1st trimester and then 1 pound per wk.
WEIGHT GAIN IS NOT ALL BABY
Problems during Pregnancy
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Gestational Diabetes: can result in
complications—HBW baby
Nausea and Heartburn:
recommendations in text on page 308
Constipation: High fiber diet, physical
activity and fluids and natural laxatives,
e.g. prune juice
Practices to Avoid
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Cigarette Smoking: small babies
Caffeine: should be limited
Dieting: dieting that results in ketosis
may impair fetus brain development
Alcohol: NEVER! Risk of Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome
Drugs: only on physician’s
recommendation
Breastfeeding
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Mother’s nutritional needs:
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Extra energy required to produce milk
(500 extra kcalories per day)
Water is also necessary to prevent
dehydration
Contraindications to Breastfeeding
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Use of alcohol; excessive caffeine use;
smoking; HIV/AIDS; drug use and oral
contraceptives
Infant Nutrition
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Nutrient Needs:
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Birth weight should double in 4-6 months and
triple in one year
Infants require highest amount of nutrients per
unit of body weight than any other age
Vitamin K is given at birth for blood clotting
Breast Milk:
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Provides all nutrient needs for first 4-6 months
Exception is Vitamin D
Infant Nutrition, Cntd.
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If breastfeeding, infant requires Vitamin D,
and Fluoride
Immunological protection provided by
colostrum to protect against infections
Breastfed babies also have fewer allergies
Infant Formulas
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Can provide adequate nutrition
Families members can share in the feeding
Infant Nutrition, cntd.
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Cow’s milk not recommended during the first
year—immature digestive system
No fat-reduced milk or formula during first
two years—fat is necessary for normal brain
development
Nursing bottle (mouth) syndrome: propping
a bottle for infant in bed can cause tooth
decay, aspiration, and ear infections
Infant Nutrition, Cntd.
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First Solid Foods
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Indicators of readiness for solid foods
include:
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Infant can sit up and control head movements
Infant is 4-6 months old
Infant has doubled his/her birth weight
Should be eating foods from all food
groups at the end of the 1st year (a variety
of foods!!)
Infant Nutrition
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The single most important measure to
undertake during the first year is to
encourage eating habits that will
support continued normal weight as the
child grows.
Encourage breast feeding—up to one
year if possible
Use table foods, not canned baby foods