Nutritional Requirements by Age

Neonatal Nutrition (0-28 days) - First Sips & Steps

• Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF):
  • Initiate: Within 1 hour post-birth.
  • Colostrum: "First immunization"; rich in IgA.
  • Frequency: On-demand, 8-12 times/day.
• Requirements:
  • Energy: 100-120 kcal/kg/day.
  • Fluids (Day 1): 60-80 mL/kg/day; ↑ to 150 mL/kg/day by Day 7.
• Key Supplements:
  • Vitamin D: 400 IU/day (all breastfed infants).
  • Iron (preterm): 2-4 mg/kg/day from 2-4 weeks.
• Adequacy Signs:
  • 6-8 wet diapers/day.
  • Weight gain: 15-30 g/day (after initial loss).

⭐ Colostrum is crucial: high in IgA, lactoferrin, growth factors, and leukocytes, providing vital passive immunity.

Infant Nutrition (1-12 months) - Growing Guzzlers

• Energy: 100-120 kcal/kg/d (0-6m: ~108; 7-12m: ~98).
• Protein: 0-6m: 1.52 g/kg/d; 7-12m: 1.2 g/kg/d.
• Fats: 40-50% energy; EFAs crucial.
• Carbs: 40-50% energy; Lactose (main).
• Fluids: ~150 ml/kg/d.
• Supplements:
  • Vit D: 400 IU/d (all breastfed).
  • Iron: 1 mg/kg/d from 4-6m (Exclusively Breastfed - EBF).
• Complementary Feeding (CF):
  • Start ~6m with breastfeeding.
  • Readiness: head control, interest in food.
  • Progression: purees → mashed → soft finger foods.

⭐ Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for first 6 months. Iron (1 mg/kg/d) for EBF infants from 4-6 months until iron-rich CF.

Early Childhood Nutrition (1-5 years) - Pint-Sized Power-Ups

• Energy:
  • 1-3 yrs: ~100 kcal/kg/day (approx. 1000-1200 kcal).
  • 4-5 yrs: ~90 kcal/kg/day (approx. 1200-1400 kcal).
• Macronutrients:
  • Protein: ~1.1 g/kg/day (1-3y); ~0.95 g/kg/day (4-5y).
  • Fats: 30-40% total calories; essential fatty acids vital.
  • Carbs: 45-65% total calories; complex carbs.
• Key Micronutrients (Daily):
  • Calcium: 700 mg (1-3y), 1000 mg (4-5y).
  • Iron: 7 mg (1-3y), 10 mg (4-5y).
  • Vitamin D: 600 IU.
• Feeding Tips:
  • Portion: ~1 tbsp/year of age/food.
  • Picky eating: Offer variety, patience.
• Concerns: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), dental caries.

⭐ Limit milk to <500 ml/day to prevent IDA; milk is iron-poor, displaces iron-rich foods. oka

School-Age & Adolescent Nutrition (6-18 years) - Growth Spurt Grub

• Energy: ↑ demands, peaks during growth spurt.
  • School-age (6-12y): 1600-2400 kcal/d.
  • Adolescents (13-18y): 2200-3200 kcal/d.
• Protein: ~0.85-0.95 g/kg/d for tissue accretion.
• Critical Micronutrients:
  • Calcium: 1300 mg/d (9-18y) for peak bone mass.
  • Iron: ↑ needs, esp. girls post-menarche.
    • Boys (14-18y): 11 mg/d.
    • Girls (14-18y): 15 mg/d.
  • Vitamin D: 600 IU/d.
  • Zinc: Growth & sexual maturation.
• Growth Spurt Timing: Girls ~11-12y, Boys ~13-14y.
• Common Issues: Obesity, eating disorders (Anorexia/Bulimia), Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).

⭐ Adolescent (9-18y) calcium need: 1300 mg/day for peak bone mass & osteoporosis prevention.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months is crucial.
• Calorie needs (kcal/kg) highest in infancy (~100-120 kcal/kg/day), ↓ with age.
• Protein needs (g/kg) peak in early infancy (approx. 1.5-2 g/kg/day), then ↓.
• Iron supplementation for exclusively breastfed infants from 4-6 months.
• Vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) for all infants.
• Complementary foods around 6 months, with continued breastfeeding.
• Adolescents need ↑ calories, protein, iron (esp. girls), calcium for growth.