Infant Digestive SystemBy: Claire Tran and Kenimer Highsmith for CTAE Resource Network

• A newborn's digestive system is made up of an intricate, delicate system of organs and functions. • Nearly all newborns lose some weight during the first few days after delivery. • The stomach of a newborn baby occupies a horizontal position, its volume in the first day of the baby’s life is less than 1 ounce; by the end of his first year it is 10 ounces. • The bowels of a newborn baby are developed rather well. They have a well vascular mucous membrane, which promotes quick food absorption.

Digestive System

• Crying or fussing most frequently begins suddenly, and often after a feeding. The cry is loud and continuous, and the spells last 1-4 hours. The baby's face often gets flushed or red. The belly is sometimes distended or prominent, the legs alternating between flexed and extended straight out. The feet are often cold and the hands clenched.

Symptoms of

Colic

– GER is caused by a malfunction of the valve-like muscles between the stomach and the esophagus.

– Symptoms:• Painful blasts of crying (more

than usual) • Frequent spitting up (but not

always) • Inconsolable bouts of

abdominal pain • Painful bursts of night waking • Fussiness, particularly after

eating • Arching or writhing as if in pain

GER: Gastroesophageal reflux

• ProteinBabies use protein to build muscles, carry nutrients in the blood, and help fight infections. In addition, protein can also be used as a source of energy. Consuming sufficient amounts of protein is especially important in periods of rapid growth, like infancy.

• Amino acids are the building blocks of protein Proteins are composed of substances called amino acids. An easy way to understand proteins is to think of proteins as chains. The amino acids are the individual links in the chains.

• Essential amino acids The human body can make all but ten amino acids. Because babies must get these ten amino acids from their diet and because they are necessary for normal healthy growth, they are called essential amino acids.

• FatFat is an important nutrient in an infant's diet. In addition to being used as a source of energy by growing babies, fat is an essential component of various structures. Linolenic and linoleic acid are essential fats. DHA and ARA are two fats, or lipids, which are particularly important in brain and eye development.

Nutrients that Babies Need

• IronIron is required for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen from the lungs to muscles and the brain.

• Iron Requirements Based on scientific studies and experience with pediatric nutrition, the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of over 50,000 physicians dedicated to the health of infants and children, recommends that full-term infants receive between .15 and 3.0 mg/100 calories of iron for normal growth and development.

• CarbohydratesAlthough carbohydrates are essential components of many body structures, their most important function may be as a source of energy. While infants can use protein and fat for energy, using dietary carbohydrates for energy spares protein and fat to be used as building blocks for muscles, nerves and other vital structures.

• Fat Soluble Vitamins– Vitamin A Helps to Prevent Infections – Vitamin D is Vital For Proper Growth – Vitamin E Protects Your Baby's Skin – Vitamin K Aids in Blood Clotting

Nutrients that Babies Need

• Allergy:– If the breast-fed child is reacting to something in the mother’s diet,

he probably has a bloated stomach, suffers from chronic or constant gas, spits up frequently and cries incessantly. Some will projectile vomit after eating. Stools may be infrequent, leading to constipation, or, they may be watery, extremely loose and of the wrong color. The baby may cry upon moving her bowels or passing urine.

– For some children, food allergy causes them to overeat. These children will have huge bellies but emaciated legs and arms. If the reaction is to wheat gluten, they may have a peculiar rash on the buttocks and upper thighs known as DH, or dermatitis herpetiforma.

Nutrition Related Concerns