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Nutrition Is Especially Crucial During

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Nutrition Is Especially Crucial DuringIn terms of nutrition, most infants are developmentally ready for an introduction to pureed foods between 4 and 6 months of age to meet the growth and energy needs of the child (Johnson, 2009). It is important NOT to introduce solid foods prior to 4 months for several health reasons:Â Â In the first weeks of life, immaturity of the kidney excludes large osmolar loads of protein and electrolytes and digestion of some fats, proteins, and carbohydrates is compromised.At age 3-5 months, infants are able to digest and absorb cereal, but at age 1-2 months carbohydrate and protein digestion and absorption are compromised by cereal ingestion (Shulman, 1995).In the first months of life poorly developed swallowing skills may lead to aspiration. Increased respiratory illness and persistent cough have been reported in infants given solids early (Forsyth, 1993), and coughing may increase following ingestion of formula thickened with infant cereal (Orenstein, 1992).