Nutrition is one of the most important aspects in growth and development. Although growth is a continuous phenomenon, its rate or speed and qualitative and maturity changes are different for the different stages of life. From birth, this can be divided into three periods with different patterns of growth, and thus, with different nutritional needs.

The first year of life

During the first year of life, a baby multiplies its initial weight by 3 and its height by 50 %. These are the parameters used as indicators of its nutritional state and evolution. Breast-feeding continues to be recommended as the best way of feeding a baby, since it provides all the nutrients necessary for its growth and development along with anti-bacterial and anti-infection agents for its immunological system.

Solid foods are gradually introduced at around 6 months of age, in a process lasting several weeks or months. Normally, this begins with cereals and continues with fruits, vegetables and meat.

During this stage, it is vital to ensure the necessary intake of iron through the diet, for which we may rely on the help of iron-enriched cereals and the consumption of ground meat.

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