What is the goal of infant nutrition?
The goal of infant nutrition is to promote optimal growth and development by providing a variety of nutritious foods. Babies need to be gradually exposed to a variety of tastes and textures geared to their developmental level. Why is texture important? Texture, in particular, plays an important role in providing developmentally appropriate challenges for the infant. Lumpier foods introduce chewing skills by helping the infant to learn and master the up-and-down and side-to-side motions of chewing and the manipulation of the tongue to guide foods. Are infant nutritional needs the same, as adult needs? No. Infants have their own unique nutritional and developmental needs. Adult dietary guidelines for fat, protein, fiber, sugars and other nutrients should not be applied to infants and young children. Are processed baby foods as nutritious as home-prepared baby food? Yes. As part of the infant diet, processed baby foods provide balance and variety with a carefully controlled and consistent
