Services and Programs

Pediatric Nutrition

During the growing years between infancy and adolescence, adequate nutrition is of utmost importance. Your child's diet will not only support their normal growth and development, but also supports their immune system, and develops lifelong eating habits. Although dietary needs, appetites, and tastes will vary widely throughout childhood, it is important to consistently provide your child with healthy options from all of the major food groups.

Throughout these years - especially babyhood - your child's doctor will closely monitor his/her growth, following increases in length/height, weight, and head circumference on growth curves in relation to increasing age. This close monitoring allows your child's doctor to recognize any growth problems such as failure to thrive, overweight, or other potential growth problems. Early recognition can lead to early intervention, which can provide your child with the tools he/she needs to grow and develop properly.

Starting Out Right

For infants, the ideal food is breastmilk. Breast milk provides optimal proportions of all of the necessary nutrients, fats, and calories for a growing and developing baby. Breast milk also provides exceptional immunological protection from many illnesses, as well as fostering emotional bonding between mother and child. And as a "bonus" - breastfed babies seem to learn quickly how to gauge when they have had enough, and avoid the habit of overeating.

For babies who are unable to breastfeed, either due to health reasons of the mother or child, or due to scheduling conflicts, infant formulas on the market today are very safe and provide the full recommended balance of nutrients, fats and calories that babies need. Ask your child's pediatrician which brand and type of formula he/she recommends for your child.

As your baby grows, he/she will transition to solid foods, eventually eating many of the same foods you enjoy. This is often a time of confusion for many parents, especially those receiving a wealth of (often conflicting) advice from relatives, friends, and other resources. During this time, your baby's doctor can offer advice on when to start giving your baby solids, and what foods are best to start with.

Following, find more information on feeding your baby:

Feeding Your Baby the First 12 Months
Weaning
Breastfeeding (March of Dimes)
A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Coping with Breastfeeding Challenges (The National Women's Health Information Center)

Staying on Track

As your child grows, good nutrition continues to be important, although quantity and caloric needs will change. Following is information on feeding your child at each age:

Feeding for age 1-5
Feeding for age 6 to 9
Feeding for age 10 to 12
Feeding for age 13 and up
Feeding a Child with Special Needs
Food Wars No More
Food Labels

Special Diets

Some children have different nutritional needs, either due to a chronic condition, such as diabetes, food allergies, or being under- or overweight. Following is information on a variety of nutritional special needs: