Feeding young children during the COVID-19 pandemic
It is particularly important for young children under the age of two years to have a nutritious diet to protect their immunity, and to ensure their future growth and development. The COVID-19 crisis is disrupting normal life, so that parents and caregivers may either not be able to afford or get out to buy the food that they normally give their…, 1. Continue to breastfeed, Up until six months of age, breastmilk provides all the nutrients that a child needs and protects against illness. Babies do not need additional liquids or food and in fact these may be harmful. At six months of age, breastmilk is no longer enough on its own and a variety of foods need to be introduced to ‘complement’ breastmilk. However,…, 2. Provide a variety of foods and regular meals, Children from six months of age need to eat from at least four food groups each day including fruit and vegetables, grains, pulses and nuts, animal and dairy products and staple foods such as rice. They also need to drink plenty of liquids such as breastmilk and/or purified water to keep them hydrated. As they have small stomachs, they need to eat…, 3. Give healthy snacks and plenty of water, To keep children going during the day, add one or two healthy snacks to eat between meals and lots of purified water. Choose snacks like fruit or vegetables that are either soft or cut into pieces suitable for the age of your child. Bananas are a good choice but this will depend upon what is available. It is tempting to give children soft drinks…, 4. Avoid manufactured baby foods and formula milks, Some children will be used to having manufactured baby foods or formula milks marketed for children over six months of age. This may be because mothers have had to leave the family home for work and can no longer breastfeed or because these foods and formula milks are considered healthy. In fact, manufactured baby foods and formula milk are no…, Listen to the advice from Suntaree!
East Asia and Pacific
