NCMA 215 - Feeding guidelines

Breastfeeding

— Best choice, recommended until 18 months up to 2 years old

Complemented breastfeeding

— Added when breast milk supply is not enough

Supplemented breastmilk

— Added when mother cannot breastfeed directly

2 months

— Only mild liquids like rice water or calamnsi juice, only if baby tolorates well

4 months

— First solid food = rice cereals

5-6 months

— teething foods; pureed meat, egg, strained fruits/ vegetables; chewy items for gum comfort and self-feeding practice

7-8 months

— Mashed or finely chopped food; no straining, to practice chewing

— examples: rice porridge + soft egg, boiled fish, banana or camote mash

9-12 months

— coarsely chopped or whole soft foods; finger foods like crackers, egg yolk, plain meat

Infants - 0-12 months

— Remove small choking hazards; burp after feeding

— Daily calorie need: 1200 kcal

— Breast milk, finger foods at 10-12 months

Toddlers - 1-3 years old

—Weight quadruples at 2 years old

— Daily calorie requirement: 1300-1400

Preschooler- 3-6 years old

— Higher protein, vitamin, mineral needs for rapid growth

— Very selective eaters, high risk of nutrient deficiency

— “Won’t eat phase”: weight gain slows, appetite irregular

— Daily calorie: 85 kcal/kg/day or 1700-1800 kcal/day

Pregnant total calorie

— 2100-2500 kcal/day; never below 1800

Normal pregnancy — Vitamin A

— 10,000 IU, 1 capsule twice weekly, start 4th month until delivery; do not give if already taking multivitamins with Vitamin A

Post-partum — Vitamin A

— 200,000 IU single dose within 4 weeks after delivery; not for pregnant women

Night-blindness

— Vit A

— 10,000 IU once daily for 4 weeks regardless of pregnancy age

Vitamin B9 / Folic Acid:

— 60 mg iron + 400 mcg folic acid, 1 tablet daily for 6 months; up to 800 mcg folic acid is safe

Calcium and phosphorus

— 1,200‑1,500 mg daily; high‑protein diet supports fetal bone/tooth growth

Iodine

— 175 mcg daily via iodized salt; seafood at least weekly; makes thyroid hormone

Iron

— 30 mg daily for low-risk; 60 mg daily for high-risk; prevents iron‑deficiency anemia

Zinc

— 15 mg daily; needed for DNA & RNA production

Nutrition in school-aged children (7-12 years old)

— Steady slow growth

— Larger body proportions

— Daily calories: 2100-2400 kcal/day

— Per kg: 80–90 kcal/kg; 70–80 kcal/kg

Nutrition in Adolescence

— Highest nutritional needs align with fastest growth spurt

— Need more servings from all food groups; build lifelong eating habits

— Daily calories: girls = 2200 kcal; boys = 2700 kcal

— Protein: 59 g/day ; 65 g/day