Pregnancy & Children
Childhood developmental stages include the infant (birth to 3 years), preschool (3 to 6 years), and school-age (6 to 12 years) stages. The average length of a pregnancy is 40 weeks, which is further split up into three trimesters. During both pregnancy and childhood, adequate nutrition is crucial for optimal growth and development.
Last Updated:August 16, 2022
Pregnant individuals commonly face health issues such as anemia, blood sugar dysregulation, depression, nausea, high blood pressure, and heartburn. Children may experience conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, asthma, eczema, digestive problems, and ear infections.
A proper diet during pregnancy is essential for the health of both the parent and child; pregnancy requires adequate intake of calories, protein, and key nutrients. After birth, infants should be fed breast milk or formula for at least 6 months, followed by the gradual introduction of solid foods, and children should be exposed to a variety of healthy foods to establish a nutritious dietary pattern.
Pregnant individuals are often prescribed prenatal supplements containing nutrients like folic acid, iodine, iron, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids to prevent developmental complications. Although children typically receive adequate nutrition from their diet, dietary supplements may be necessary for people who are on restrictive diets, and fish oil has been shown to help reduce ADHD symptoms in children.
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