Diet for children under 2 years old

Nutrition plays a very important role in the physical and mental development of children, especially children under 2 years of age. Build a suitable diet for your child to ensure comprehensive development

Breast milk plays a decisive role in the nutrition of children under 2 years old. The role of breast milk is not only providing the necessary nutrients for the development of the child, but also the first "vaccine" of the infant's life, protecting the child from dangerous diseases.
Breastfeeding is a necessary step for the development and strengthening of a baby's natural immunity from the first days of life. Early breastfeeding also helps to contract the mother's uterus, helping the mother to reduce blood loss. With the above great benefits, mothers should:
Breastfeed the baby early, right within the first hour after birth, to avoid jaundice of the baby. Children should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months after birth. For children from 6 months of age and older, in addition to breast milk, other foods should be added to provide adequate nutrients for physical development and growth. children's intelligence.

Need to add a variety of foods. Children's nutrition should include enough 4 food groups: Protein, fat, starch, vitamins and minerals. Children should be given foods from liquid to solid, from small to large amounts, and should also be used to gradually getting used to new foods. Food must be safe and hygienic, people who prepare food for children must wash their hands before preparing food to avoid causing digestive disorders and other intestinal diseases. Do not let children eat cakes, candies, or drink soft drinks before meals because sweets increase blood sugar, make children full, and lose their appetite. Mothers often limit the use of fat in their children's meals. But grease and fat are the main source of energy in the meal and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, K. Therefore, it is recommended to add sesame, peanut, and sesame oil to make The bowl of flour is fragrant, fatty, and soft, making it easy for children to swallow and providing more energy for children. There are some cases where the mother does not feed the child but only eats broth. You should note that all proteins are located in the female part of meat, fish, shrimp, eggs, and almost do not secrete broth. Some children do not like to eat vegetables. Mothers should encourage or find ways to process vegetables into attractive and easy-to-eat dishes to supplement enough fiber for children.

Below is a sample menu for children under 2 years old according to the guidelines of the National Institute of Nutrition:
3.1. Sample menu for children from 6 to 8 months of age. Feed your baby with breast milk about 600ml/day (if breast milk is not available, use formula according to the child's age) and eat 1-2 powdered meals/day
Amount of food in 1 day: Plain rice flour: 20-30gr Meat, fish, shrimp, eggs: 20-30gr/day (so a variety of types) Cooking grease: 6-10ml (excluding grease available in food) ) Green vegetables: 20gr (should be varied) Milk: 600-700 ml (breast milk, only use formula when not enough breast milk) Ripe fruit: 50-100g 3.2. Sample menu for children 9-11 months old Breastfeeding: 500-600ml/day, eating 2-3 powdered meals/day.
Amount of food in 1 day Plain rice: 40-60 g Meat (fish, shrimp): 50g, eggs 1 week 3-4 fruits Extra fat when cooking: 10-15g (excluding the grease available in food ) Green vegetables: 40 – 50g Ripe fruits: 100 – 120g

For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.