WORK IN PROGRESS
As they grow, so do their nutritional needs
Nutrition for every stage of development
The progression from birth to three is the most incredible, important and rapid period of growth and development in human life. It seems hard to believe that the once tiny, fragile newborn you held in your arms will soon be an independent, playful child. Your love and support, and the right diet, will all be part of what nourishes these changes.
Each stage of their development requires specific nutritional support, and Aptamil milks have been tailored to support your child’s progress at every stage.
0-6 months: An exclusive milk diet
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Your breast milk is unique to you and as well as providing your baby with immunity against many common illnesses, it contains the ideal mix of nutrients for your baby in an easily digestible form.
If you are not breastfeeding or are combination feeding, Aptamil First Infant Milk is a nutritionally complete formula suitable from birth.
6 months to 1 year: Supporting a weaning diet
At 6 months your baby reaches a significant development milestone – their first taste of ‘solid’ food. This coincides with the natural depletion of the iron stores they were born with. Iron is essential for your baby’s brain development, but as they move into the first stages of weaning, they may not be able to get enough iron from the foods they eat.
Did you know that at 7-12 months your baby needs almost as much iron every day (7.8mg) than an adult man (8.7mg)?
Our Follow On Milk is especially designed to complement a weaning diet and is ideal if you decide you want to move on from breastfeeding or to try combination feeds.
Aptamil Follow On Milk, contains our unique blend of ingredients including increased levels of iron, the LCP Omega 3 and vitamins A, C and D to help support your baby’s development at this stage.
1–2 years: Building bones
Between one and two your toddler will become more mobile by the day, cruising and walking more confidently, and gaining the coordination required for running and jumping. By three, they’ll have started to discover their place in the world through socialising, speech, play and exploring their emotions.
"Your child’s bone density will more than treble in their first three years of life."
They might seem more and more like a mini adult every day, but their nutritional needs are still very different to yours. Incredibly, between one and two years old, your child needs nearly three times more energy for their size, compared to an adult.
Two vital vitamins for this stage are iron, for normal cognitive development, and Vitamin D for normal bone development.
In the UK, children are only getting 27% of their daily dietary need of Vitamin D, a critical bone-building vitamin. That’s why healthcare professionals recommend supplementation.
2–3 years: Brain food
Iron is vital to support normal cognitive development, and contributes to energy levels and growth. They need 6.9mg daily between one and three years. Yet over 50% of toddlers aged between 18 months and three years aren’t getting the recommended daily amount, so it’s important to support their iron intake.
"By the age of three, your toddler’s brain growth is essentially complete."
Aptamil Growing Up Milk has been specifically created for toddlers from one year. It features our unique blend of ingredients including vitamin A and C, and iron to support their mental and physical growth.
Available in two formats, one for children aged 1-2 years, and a semi-skimmed version from 2-3 years.