Paediatric nutrition

Nutrition plays a critical role in growth and development in children.

Nutritional management of any paediatric condition aims to achieve optimal growth and growth charting is used to assess growth.

Nestlé Health Science has a range of paediatric products that can assist in maximising nutritional intake across a wide range of conditions including food allergies, faltering growth, gastrointestinal impairment and malabsorptive conditions. We provide a complete paediatric allergy range and a niche offering for children with gastrointestinal and neurological impairment.

Breast milk is best for baby and provides ideal nutrition. Good maternal nutrition is important for preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant formula should be prepared and used exactly as directed or it could pose a health hazard. The preparation requirements and cost of providing infant formula until 12 months of age should be considered before making a decision to formula feed.

Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their infants have cow’s milk protein allergy. If a decision to use an infant formula for special dietary use is taken, it must be used under medical supervision.