RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

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Integrating infant nutrition talk

Lucy Upton, specialist paediatric dietitian and expert panel member of the not-for-profit Infant &Toddler Forum (ITF), discusses infant nutrition and why infant feeding facts matter

Why having open conversations about infant feeding matters

Early years professionals have a unique opportunity – as well as a critical role to play – in supporting families with their questions or aiding those struggling with the day-to-day challenges of feeding infants and toddlers.

As a specialist paediatric dietitian and as a new mother, I know how confusing it can be to navigate the often-conflicting information (or lack of information) associated with breastfeeding and formula feeding. Both parents and early years professionals can find themselves at a loss for where to turn, especially with the closure of many drop-in clinics in recent years.

Neither families nor healthcare professionals (HCPs) are satisfied with the current state of education and support they receive in infant nutrition, according to a recent survey conducted by the Infant and Toddler Forum (ITF).

The survey – which was conducted with Census wide and included 506 parents and 152 HCPs – found that a full 22% of HCPs lack confidence supporting parents in core areas of infant feeding. Meanwhile, only 19% of parents felt they received adequate support for maintaining breastfeeding, and just 8% felt they received support to understand differences between formula milks.

How can early years professionals provide support with infant nutrition?

Having resources at your fingertips can help build confidence, but it’s not always that simple: time is limited to talk with parents, plus you have many competing demands at pick-up or drop-off time. And, of course, every family situation is unique; feeding advice needs to be realistic and family centred.

Here are some key facts about breast milk and formula milk that can help early educators build their confidence in engaging in conversations about 

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infant feeding with parents, making every conversation relevant and personal:

  1. Breast milk is the optimal food for infants, providing all the essential nutrients a child needs. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months of an infant’s life – however, we know this isn’t always possible.

  2. Breastmilk provides more than nutrition: it contains elements that support an infant’s long and short-term health, impacting factors like their gut and immune system.

  3. The major nutritional components of breast milk include water, lactose (milk sugar), fats and protein. The composition changes to meet the specific needs of an infant e.g. colostrum after birth to mature breast milk within four weeks.

  4. Breastfeeding has short-term benefits for the infant, including reduced risk of ear infections, diarrhoea and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

  5. There are widely recognised longterm benefits, too, including improved intelligence, healthy weight and reduced risk of some childhood illnesses. Benefits to the mother include reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and postnatal depression.

  6. Some mothers may choose not to breastfeed or have difficulties initiating or maintaining breastfeeding for a variety of reasons. Support should be provided to women who are having difficulties with breastfeeding and are wishing to continue. When breastfeeding is not an option, infant formula is able to meet the nutritional needs of infants.

  7. Strict EU regulations ensure all formula milk sold in the UK follows a clear set of guidelines and is safe to feed an infant.

  8. Infant formula in the UK is based on cow’s milk, goat’s milk or soya beans; it contains protein, carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements).

  9. Some formula milks are for medical purposes, such as lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy; these should be prescribed by a doctor.

  10. Formula milk has changed over the past 50 years, with innovations aiming to replicate some of the benefits of breast milk. Inclusion of specific molecules, fibre or types of fat, for example, have shown promising benefits to infant health.

  11. No formula milk can replicate human milk, which includes benefits that extend beyond nutrition. Innovation therefore remains important within formula milk manufacturing to help optimise the health of formula-fed infants.

For additional information, please go to www.infantandtoddlerforum.org.