Infant Development Should Start with Breast Milk

Parents should opt to feed their infants with breast milk for the first six months, followed by solid food under the basic food groups on the succeeding months to ensure proper development.

This is according to Alita Vingno, Bacolod manager of Well-Family Midwife Clinics, who said parents should not solely focus on feeding infants for them to attain ideal weight, but must also see this time as a crucial stage for their children’s proper development.

“If you think about the first 1,000 days or first two years of a child’s life, the child’s development is where it is at its fastest,” she said.

“In the first six months, we emphasize breastfeeding,” Vigno added.

Parents could already include solid food right after the first six months of feeding the child with breast milk.

Likewise, she reiterated that three basic food groups – Go, Glow and Grow – should be a guide when feeding children.

Corn, rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes are ideal types of Go Food, Vingno said, while Grow Food are those that are rich in protein such as fish and meat, which help build muscle.

Associated with Glow Food are leafy vegetables, which helps maintain healthy skin.

July is observed as Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “First 1000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan.” (JCM/CBA/PIA6-Negros Occidental)