At all stages of pregnancy, the ability to make informed dietary and lifestyle choices can have a positive influence on the health and wellbeing of mother and child. Under normal circumstances, the developing foetus depends upon placental efficiency to absorb a rich supply of nutrients from the maternal bloodstream. Because of this close dependence, there are certain situations which can potentially disrupt the normal course of foetal development. For example, there are a number of maternal illnesses and infections which must be avoided or treated promptly to reduce the risk of developmental abnormalities. Because several of these conditions exhibit minimal symptoms, it is beneficial for most pregnant women to undertake a periodic health assessment...

While the majority of babies manage to avoid complicated health concerns during their early months of life, all newborns are susceptible to a range of preventable illnesses, environmental hazards, sleeping difficulties, and issues related to feeding and nutrition. For the sake of their long term wellbeing, newborn infants should be assessed by a paediatrician and screened for congenital and inherited indicators. Hospitals will usually provide this service as a routine component of their care delivery; however they may be required to seek exclusive permission from the infant’s parent or primary caregiver. In those instances where problems are detected, early treatments and counselling can alleviate many of the complications which might...

In the decades immediately following the Second World War, many developed nations participated in a trend which saw formulated products supplementing or replacing the traditional source of infant nutrition. Today, reputable health authorities are strongly in favour of breastfeeding. For the majority of infants, breast milk represents an ideal source of nutrition during the first twenty-four months of development. In situations where breastfeeding is not an option, there are formulated products which provide the nutrients essential for normal development. With so many brands and varieties of infant formula currently available, parents and caregivers may become overwhelmed in their attempts to choose a suitable product. Undoubtedly, there must...

Once children are weaned from breast milk or infant formula, the variety of solid foods should be increased to ensure the balanced intake of nutrients essential for normal development. The easiest way to ensure optimum nutrition is to focus on the five healthy food groups. Fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, dairy produce, and monounsaturated vegetable oils. Plenty of fresh water assists the immune system and vital organs to function efficiently, particularly the kidneys, which develop a heavier workload in the older child. In addition to increasing the body’s access to useful nutrients, optimum health and wellbeing depends upon restricting the intake of harmful substances. Avoiding poor quality food sources While...

The quality of the childhood environment plays a significant role in physical and psychological development. There are many philosophies to describe characteristics of the optimum childhood environment, including those which seek to influence the choice of foods, clothing, and personal care items. Over recent years, the organic movement has contributed a broad range of concepts and practical solutions. The emphasis on soil protection, water quality, and sustainable production are the foundation principles of organic agriculture. When fully adopted, there are direct consequences on the quality and safety of the food and other resources which infants and children encounter on a routine basis. At this moment in history, economically advanced societies...