The U.S. Government Dietary Guidelines have been updated with new recommendations on feeding babies under 2 years of age. The guidelines are updated once every 5 years. The 2020-2025 guideline is the first to be published with recommendations for every stage of life from infancy to adulthood.
Start Good Nutrition from Infancy
At 6 months of age, babies are often introduced to a variety of solid foods. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines published recommendations for a baby's transition to a healthy family diet.
"Never too early to start, so make every bite count in the early years," said nutritionist Barbara Schneeman. The guidelines highlighted two key recommendations focusing on sugar intake and alcohol consumption, Tricity News reported.
Sweetened foods and drinks should be entirely avoided in the first 2 years of life. For ages 2 and older, sugars should be limited to 10% of calories per day. According to the published statement, taste preferences are formed during this period. When sweet foods are introduced during this timeframe, the child may develop a preference for overly sweet foods.
The government also does not recommend the use of no-calorie and low-calorie sweeteners. Added sugars are nutrient-dense, and infants have no room in their diet for added sugars. Honey should also be avoided as it can cause serious illness or even death among infants, Goodto reported.
What should babies under 2 drink?
Beverages for babies should also be carefully considered. Unpasteurized foods and beverages like unpasteurized juices, yogurt, cheese, or milk should not be given to infants.
When to Give Babies Water?
Water is typically unnecessary in the first 6 months as long as infants get adequate human milk or infant formula consumption. Once complementary foods are introduced, 4-8 ounces of plain, fluoridated drinking water may be given to infants to meet hydration and fluoride needs.
Should Babies Drink Cow's Milk?
Cow's milk should not be given before the first year of life. The higher protein and mineral content in cow's milk puts a strain on the infant's digestive system and kidneys. Flavored milk should be avoided in the first two years of life because of added sugars.
Strong Recommendations against Sweet Beverages
Before age 12 months, infants should not consume 100% fruit juices or vegetable juices. Only whole fruits may be given when introducing the family diet. If unavoidable, up to 4 ounces of fruit juice may be tolerated.
Regular soda, sports drinks, flavored water, and other sugar-sweetened beverages should be entirely avoided as well. These are nutrient-dense beverages. When introduced in infancy, sugar-sweetened beverages may predispose children to drink more of such beverages later in life.
Can Babies Drink Coffee?
Children younger than age 2 should avoid drinking caffeinated beverages. There are potential negative health effects of drinking caffeine for babies. There is no established safe limit of caffeine for this age group.
U.S. Dietary Guidelines Suggest Introducing Peanuts Early
It may do good for infants to consume peanut-containing foods as early as 4 to 6 months. This is said to be especially beneficial for infants at high risk of peanut allergy. It can also be beneficial for infants with severe eczema or egg allergy.
Introducing peanut-containing foods at age 4 to 6 months may help reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy. However, previous to feeding the infant peanut-containing foods, the caregiver may request a blood test or skin prick to determine whether or not to introduce peanuts to the infant.
