From birth to one year old is known as infancy, a crucial stage for brain and overall development. Research indicates that the number of brain cells is determined early in life and cannot be replenished later, making this period vital for intellectual growth. The most critical time for brain development occurs during the last three months of pregnancy and the first six months after birth. Other body tissues also have specific developmental windows, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition during infancy for long-term health and cognitive function.
Infant brains and organs grow rapidly, requiring a high level of nutrients. While their digestive system resembles that of adults in structure, it is not fully developed, with weak digestive capacity. Therefore, the variety and amount of food given to infants must be carefully managed, gradually increasing as they grow older.
For babies aged 1 to 2 months, their sucking and swallowing abilities are developing, but their digestive systems are still immature. Breastfeeding is recommended as the best source of nutrition, as breast milk contains the ideal balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, along with antibodies and enzymes that support digestion and immunity. Vitamin D and C supplements can be added through cod liver oil, fruit juice, and vegetable juice. At this stage, starch-based foods like rice cereal or baby food made from grains and legumes should be avoided due to limited amylase production.
Between 3 to 4 months, babies begin to develop better digestion, but they still need primarily breast milk or formula. Additional fluids like carrot juice, tomato juice, and orange juice can be introduced, along with small amounts of egg yolk and vegetable puree. Solid foods should be introduced gradually and only after the baby shows readiness.
By 5 to 6 months, infants can start chewing soft foods, and their amylase levels increase. In addition to breast milk, they can be introduced to thin noodles, porridge, and small amounts of eggs, meat, fish, liver, and vegetables to provide essential nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins.
At 7 to 8 months, babies begin teething, and their chewing ability improves. Soft solid foods such as steamed bread, biscuits, and semi-solid porridges can be introduced to encourage chewing and dental development. The texture and variety of food should continue to increase gradually.
From 9 to 12 months, children have more teeth and stronger digestive systems. Their diet can include finely chopped foods like noodles, small dumplings, minced meat porridge, and chopped vegetables. This period marks the transition toward more varied and textured foods.
After 12 months, infants enter early childhood and can eat foods similar to adults. They should have three meals a day plus 1–2 servings of dairy products. Weaning should be complete by this time, and solid foods like soft rice, minced meat, chopped vegetables, eggs, fish, tofu, and fruits should be included to meet nutritional needs.
When introducing complementary foods, it's important to do so gradually—starting with small quantities and slowly increasing the variety. Each new food should be introduced one at a time to allow the baby to adapt and avoid digestive issues. Monitoring stool changes is also key to assessing digestion. Complementary foods should be offered before feeding, while juices can be given after meals or between feedings.
Aerosol therapy is a type of respiratory therapy that involves delivering medication directly to the lungs through inhalation. This method is commonly used to treat conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Aerosol therapy can be delivered using a variety of medical devices, such as inhaler spacers, nebulizer masks, and metered-dose inhalers. These devices help to convert liquid medications into numerious fine particles, which can then be inhaled into the lungs to achieve the treatment purpose.