1. PROVIDING GOOD NUTRITION Chapter 10

2. Practical Considerations in Planning Nutritious Meals Cost Convenience Facilities Culture Children’s preferences Nutritional needs specific to each age group in care (infant/toddler/preschooler)

3. INFANTS Grow faster than at any other time in life Breastfeeding is nutritionally preferable –Milk can be refrigerated or frozen –See Table 10.2 Breastfeeding limitations: –If mother has a communicable disease –If mother is taking meds that can harm infant –If mother is substance abuser

4. INFANTS, cont’d Bottle feeding –See Table 10.3 Introducing solids –4 - 6 months –Introduce small amounts of 1 food at a time and wait about a week to see if allergies develop –See Table 10.4

5. INFANTS, cont’d Introduce iron-fortified rice cereal, mixed with formula, as first “solid” food Then introduce pureed vegetables Then introduce pureed fruit Infants can eat egg yolks, but not whites See Tables 10.5 and 10.6

6. TODDLERS Child’s search for autonomy affects eating Ellyn Satter’s guidelines: –1. Adult controls what food comes into the house and how it is prepared and presented –2. Adult makes sure child comes to meals and behaves. Adult controls times of meals & snacks. –3. Child controls whether & how much is eaten

7. Toddlers, cont’d See Tables 10.8 & 9 Toddlers are erratic eaters Choking foods must be avoided Milk: toddlers should not drink non-fat milk Milk should be limited to 24 oz/day to avoid “milk anemia”

8. PRESCHOOLERS Prefer familiar foods Are influenced by media and friends –50% of advertised foods are high-fat, high- sugar, empty calorie snack foods Are also influenced by parents and teachers –Role mode –Help with selection and preparation

9. SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN Many special needs children have nutritional needs that can be met in an inclusive daycare setting The Americans with Disabilities Act says we cannot deny special needs children if we can reasonably accommodate their needs

10. EXERCISE Exercise is an important part of diet, and is included in the new US nutritional pyramid. Children need adequate time for gross motor play each day

11. IMPLICATIONS Nutritional education for staff and parents Role modeling for kids, staff, and parents Advocacy to help get low-income parents and staff into food programs (WIC) Cultural and economic sensitivity are important for influencing others