India babies 2024

1. Artificial feeding
UNIT IV- NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF
INFANTS AND CHILDREN
3/5/2024
1 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

2. Definition
 Artificial feeding means to feed the child other than
breast milk. It involves the use of breast milk substitutes
in the form of liquid milk ie, fresh cow’s milk or
buffalo’s milk or commercially available dried whole
milk.
 It is a form of supplementary feeding.
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2 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

3. Indications
 Death or absence of mother
 Prolonged maternal illness
 Complete failure of breast milk production
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3 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

4. Factors contributing to increased incidence of artificial
feeding are :-
 Lack of interest in breastfeeding by health workers, mothers and
family members
 Wrong beliefs and ignorance related to breastfeeding
 Increasing number of working mothers
 Aping western countries
 Changing lifestyle
 Availability of alternatives to mothers milk
 Urge to be sophisticated
 Publicity and deceptively appealing advertisements
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5. Principles of artificial feeding
1. The decision to give artificial feed must be taken only after the failure of all
efforts to breastfeed and non availability of the human milk.
2. The aims of artificial feeding are same as breast feeding – providing
adequate nutrition to the infant, free from bacterial contamination,
economical and according to the needs of the children.
3. Feeding should be given by spoon and bowl/cup/glass. In sick/preterm
infants – dropper. In hospitalized baby – orogastric/nasogastric tube .
CONTN…. 3/5/2024
5 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

6. 4. Bottle feeding must be avoided. Explain to the others regarding the
dangers of bottle feeding- especially about nipple confusion, diarrhea etc.
5. Practice strict cleanliness in feeding preparation and feeding procedure.
6. Milk left over from previous feed should not be used.
7. Feeding must be given with the calculated amount of fluid and calories
according to the baby’s expected weight.
8. Correct technique of feeding to be followed. Milk should never be too
hot or cold rather it should be warm.
Contn…
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6 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

7. 9. Time taken for feed depends upon the baby. But on an average- 15 to 20 min. number of feeds
6-8 times in infants and 3-5 in older babies.
10. Cow’s milk is considered as cheaper alternative by many Indian families. Dilution of cow’s milk
is recommended in the first 2 months.
11. If dried milk is used reconstitution is done as per the direction given by the manufacturer.
12. During illness the calorie need is increased and it should be provided by frequent small quantity
feeding.
13. Burping may be needed.
14. Supplementation of vitamins and minerals needed to prevent deficiency.
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8. Disadvantages
 Dangers of contamination
 Over dilution of the feed
 Expensive
 Underfeeding
 Multiple nutritional deficiencies
 Gastroenteritis
 Other superadded infections
 Long term sequelae include obesity, lactose intolerance, atherosclerosis,
relatively poor learning disabilities, poor-parent child relationship, frequent
pregnancy, family disruption and population explosion
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8 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala

9. 3/5/2024
9 Anju George , SGCON,Parumala