ARS | Publication request: Knowing what's the best for baby to eat

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: February 26, 2005
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Start Healthy Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers provide parents and caregivers with science-based, practical information about feeding healthy infants and toddlers. Parents and caregivers need practical guidance about how to feed their infants and toddlers, both to assure their children’s normal growth and development, and to lay down the foundation for later healthy eating habits. Key experts from pediatric medicine and nutrition participated on the Start Healthy Expert Panel to prepare practical feeding advice by using the American Dietetic Association’s evidence-based review process to draw conclusions from the nutrition and science literature. The Start Healthy Guidelines focus five key topic areas: (1) nutrients and foods; (2) development skills; (3) healthy feeding relationship; (4) safe feeding; (5) activity. The Start Healthy Feeding Guidelines also provide a developmental chart that can help parents and caregivers understand the developmental progression of feeding skills during the first 2 years of life. In addition, there is a focus on food safety areas unique to infants and toddlers and the role of physical activity during early childhood. Finally, the Start Healthy Guidelines emphasize that responsive parenting is at the core of a healthy infant-parent feeding relationship and a parent’s approach to child feeding is central to the child’s early feeding experience.