Experts say breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies during the first 6 months, but formula can be a good alternative.
Nutrition and Your Growing Baby
Some of the nutrients babies need to grow and stay healthy include:
Calcium. Helps build strong bones and teeth.
Fat. Creates energy, helps the brain develop, keeps skin and hair healthy, and protects against infections.
Folate. Helps cells divide.
.Protein
Vitamins
Minerals
Baby Center
Infant Nutrition: The First 6 Months
Medically Reviewed by Amita Shroff, MD on August 30, 2022 Written by Stephanie Watson
Your baby is about to go through an amazing growth spurt. Expect your baby to double his or her birth weight by about age 5 -6 months and triple their birth weight by a year of age.. To grow that much, they need a lot of nutrients -- more than at any other time in their life.
Iron. Builds blood cells, and helps the brain develop. Breast-fed babies should receive iron supplements.
Protein and carbohydrates. They provide energy and fuel growth.
Zinc. Helps the cells grow and repair themselves
Your baby also needs vitamins such as:
Vitamin A. Keeps skin, hair, vision, and the immune system healthy.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine). Helps the body turn food into energy.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Helps the body turn food into energy, and protects cells from damage.
Vitamin B3 (niacin). Helps the body turn food into energy and use fats and protein.
Vitamin B6. Keeps the brain and immune system healthy.
Vitamin B12. Keeps nerve and blood cells healthy, and makes DNA -- the genetic material in every cell.
Vitamin C. Protects against infections, builds bones and muscles, and helps wounds heal.
Vitamin D. Helps the body absorb calcium from food, and keeps bones and teeth healthy. Breast-fed babies may need a D supplement.
Vitamin E. Protects cells from damage, and strengthens the immune system.
Vitamin K. Helps the blood to clot.
Nutrients in Formula
Most infant formulas today are made from cow's milk. They are fortified to make them as close to breast milk as possible, and to give babies all the nutrients they need to grow and be healthy.
Most cow's milk formulas contain:
Carbohydrates, in the form of the milk sugar "lactose"Iron
Protein
Minerals, such as calcium and zinc
Vitamins, including A, C, D, E, and the B vitamins
Some formulas add other nutrients to make them even more like breast milk, such as:
Essential fatty acids. ARA and DHA are fatty acids that are important for the baby's brain and vision.
Babies who can't breast-feed will need a special formula made for preterm babies. These formulas are higher in calories. They also contain extra protein, vitamins, and mineralsBabies Who Need Special Nutrition
Babies who were born early (before 37 weeks) or at a low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) need special nutrition to help them catch up on growth. Breast-fed babies may get a fortifier added to the milk, which contains:
.Extra calories
.Extra fat.
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