Nutrition and Growth

1. A young child should grow well and gain weight rapidly. From birth to age two, children should be weighed every month. If a child has not gained weight for about two months, something is wrong. (Supporting Information)
2. Breastmilk alone is the only food and drink an infant needs until the age of six months. After six months, the child needs a variety of other foods in addition to breastmilk. (Supporting Information)
3. From the age of six months to two years, children need to be fed five times a day, in addition to sustained breastfeeding. (Supporting Information)
4. Children need vitamin A to resist illness and prevent visual impairments. Vitamin A can be found in many fruits and vegetables, oils, eggs, dairy products, fortified foods, breastmilk, or vitamin A supplements. (Supporting Information)
5. Children need iron-rich foods to protect their physical and mental abilities. The best sources of iron are liver, lean meats, fish, eggs and iron-fortified foods or iron supplements. (Supporting Information)
6. Iodized salt is essential to prevent learning disabilities and delayed development in children. (Supporting Information)
7. During an illness, children need to continue to eat regularly. After an illness, children need at least one extra meal every day for at least a week. (Supporting Information)