Dietary requirements of infants Infants are able to regulate their needs by consuming more milk or less milk. Their nutritional requirements are met through the composition of breast milk and contributions from complementary foods given to them. The recommended nutrients are computed on the basis of composition of mother’s milk. An average secretion of ml of breast milk of a well- nourished mother should provide all the nutrients for the first – months.
The baby thrives well if the mother is well nourished. She must, therefore, eat a diet rich in protein, calcium and iron and consume adequate quantities of fluids like milk, soups, fruit juices, and even water to avoid malnutrition. In infants– Weight–doubles in months, triples in year Length— -55cm at birth increases to cm by year Head circumference and chest circumference both increase.