Infant and Toddler Nutrition

Infant and toddler nutrition sets the stage for future health and development. Infancy, considered as the time of birth until erect posture is assumed, is a highly vulnerable period of life, especially where nutrition is concerned. Growth rate peaks. Infants, at least until 4 to 6 months, rely on a single nutrient source. Toddlers, described in this chapter as children aged 1 to 3 years, have less rapid growth, but rapidly changing diet. They rely on the provision of all necessary nutrients to achieve optimum health. Feeding toddlers requires attention to their budding concepts of likes, dislikes, and willingness to accept new foods. This chapter reviews the nutrients necessary for infants and toddlers to achieve their growth and developmental potential.