Your 1-year-old is growing and learning quickly, but parents are mainly concerned about their height and weight. Each baby grows at their own pace, but they follow a similar growth pattern based on their size and gender.
Nutrition is crucial for a child’s current and future health, so parents should educate themselves about the nutritional benefits of nourishing foods for their ideal height and weight.
- Good fats and carbohydrates are a storehouse of energy which helps in weight and height management.
- A protein-rich diet is essential to accelerate the height of a kid and repair the tissues and develop lean muscles. Examples– milk, lentils, beans, eggs, oatmeal, whole grains
- Babies need minerals such as calcium and vitamin D-rich foods to build strong bones. Example – milk, paneer, ragi, whole pulses like Bengal gram.
- Iron and vitamins are essential for their development and to boost their metabolism. Examples – whole grains, beans, and pulses, dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
Factors that Affect Child Growth
- Genetics (Hereditary)
- Environmental factors such as altitude, climate (effected for baby shape, seasonal rates of growth), urbanization, socioeconomic status, size & social mobility
- Nutrients & food
- Endocrine (body’s different hormones)
General Tips for Introducing Foods for 1 Year Babies
- Breastfeeding is ideal and acceptable nourishment food to maintain optimal growth and development for the first 4-6 months after giving birth and also try to breastfeed for 12 months.
- Switching to other sources of nutrition should begin around 6 months of age to provide adequate micronutrients in their diet.
- 1-year-olds should drink 1-4 cups (480-1000ml) of water per day.
