FATS

- Fat is so important for vision brain and nerve growth development

- provides half the calories in breast milk

 Breast Milk
 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an Omega-3 fatty acid
 Linoleic acid
 Arachidonic acid (ARA), an Omega-6 fatty acid

Deficiency of essential fatty acids in infants

- Dry scaly rash

(dermatitis)
- Decreased growth
- Increased susceptibility
to infection
- Poor wound healing

CARBOHYDRATE

- Lactose is the major carbohydrate in breast milk

 It improves absorption of calcium & provides energy for brain growth

Lactose Intolerance

- common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose

MINERALS

Calcium

 for bone growth

 Calcium is low in breast milk, but absorbed better than that in cows milk.

Iron

 Term infants of a mother who had adequate iron intake during pregnancy will be born with
iron stores lasting for 3 months, until newborn begins to produce hemoglobin.
 Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and
use oxygen.
 Iron deficiency.

Fluoride

 Essential for building healthy teeth and for preventing tooth decay
 Mother needs to drink fluoridated water during and after pregnancy to supply the baby
 Fluoride supplement 0.25 mg/day may be given at 6 months of age.