IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 1

Topic 1 and 2
1. Nutrition requirements in infants and
young children
2. Recommended IYCF interventions and
evidence

Objectives
1. Understand optimal infant and young child feeding
2. Know the importance of exclusive breastfeeding
3. Know the dangers of artificial feeding
4. Describe advantages of timely complementary feeding
5. Describe current recommendations on infant and young child
feeding
6. Discuss the nutrient requirements of infant and young child 1
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 2

Recommended IYCF interventions

Infants ≤ 6 months should be:

• Breastfed immediately after birth (within an hour)
-immediate skin-to-skin contact
-colostrum feeding
-no prelacteals
• Breastfed exclusively

After 6 months:
Initiate complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding
(Quantity, consistency/energy density and frequency)

2
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 3

Recommended IYCF interventions

3
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 4

Early initiation of breastfeeding post C-

section delivery
• Surgery is no barrier to initiating breastfeeding immediately
after delivery

• Breastfeeding should be initiated within an hour of C-section

performed under spinal anesthesia

• For mothers who have had general anesthesia, she may

breastfeed postoperatively as soon as she is alert enough to
hold the infant with support and is not overly sedated.

• Immediate skin- to-skin contact helps mothers to breastfeed

successfully
4
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 5

Benefits of breastfeeding (colostrum)

• More antibodies and other anti-infective factors than mature milk
• More white blood cells than mature milk.
(Protects from bacterial infections and allergies)
• Mild purgative effect, helps clear the baby’s gut of meconium.
Clears bilirubin from the gut, and helps to prevent jaundice.
• Contains growth factors, which help a baby’s immature intestine to
develop after birth.
(Helps to prevent the baby from developing allergies and
intolerance to other foods)
• Colostrum is richer than mature milk in some Vitamins - especially
Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to reduce the severity of any infection
the baby might have.

5
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 6

Benefits of breastfeeding
Baby Mother
Complete nutritional staple up to 6 Reduces post-delivery bleeding and
months, up to 1/2 of nutritional anemia
requirements between 6-12 months, up
to 1/3, between 12 and 24 months
Adequate calories and the right kind of Protective effect against breast and
proteins, fats, lactose, vitamins, iron and ovarian cancers
other minerals, enzymes.
Water in the amounts necessary for the Obesity is less common among
baby breastfeeding mothers
Easily digested Satisfies emotionally
Many anti-infective properties, protects Benefits whole family emotionally and
child against several infections including economically
diarrhea and pneumonia
Free from contaminants
Babies less prone to have diabetes, heart
disease, eczema, asthma and other
allergic disorders and adult onset diseases 6
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 7

Benefits of complementary feeding

• Prevents growth faltering
• Decreases risk of nutritional deficiencies
• Lessens risk of illnesses
• Helps in proper development

Breastfeeding has to be continued with complementary feeding as:

• it provides about 1/3rd of the protein and energy needs in the
second year
• 45% of the vitamin A needs

7
 IYCN Topic 1&2/Slide 8

Nutrient requirements in Infants and Young Children

Age Ideal Energy Protein Visible fat Calcium Iron (mg)

weight (Kcal) (g) (g) (mg)
(kg)
0-6 5.4 92 /kg 1.16 /kg - 500 0.046/kg
months
6-12 8.4 80/kg 1.69 /kg 19 500 5
months
1- 2 years 12.9 1060 16.7 27 600 9

Refer handout for other nutrients