To support this growth, babies require a large amount of calories, consumed frequently throughout the day. Infants who receive adequate nutrition will grow normally and tackle developmental milestones in stride. Unfortunately, not every baby is nourished appropriately. Hungry babies do not grow to their full potential. If nutrition therapy is started soon enough, catch up growth can be achieved, but the loss of height may never be regained.
Malnutrition can also impede mental development.
Recent studies on breast-feeding are showing that it is the best form of nutrition you can give your baby. Breast-fed babies have fewer middle ear infections, fewer food and skin allergies, less tooth decay and a reduced risk of childhood lymphomas and diabetes mellitus later in life. While it's almost impossible to overfeed a breast-fed baby, parents can overfeed formula, leading to overweight children later in life. Many children spend 40 hours a week in day care. A day care that is supportive of breast-feeding and is willing to feed expressed breast milk is ideal.