Nutrition - recommendations from the Directorate of Health

-Automatic translation

• Breast milk is natural and the best nutrition for the infant. It contains nutrients, affects the development of the digestive organs and hormones, and stimulates the immune system.

• Breastfeeding protects babies from acute ear infections and gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.

• There is also less chance of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents who are exclusively breastfed for longer.

• It is also possible for breastfeeding to reduce the likelihood of diseases and their risk factors later in life, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel.

• In addition to other advantages of breastfeeding, the benefits of breastfeeding are the togetherness of mother and baby, comfort during night feeding, and the fact that the breast milk is always fresh at the right temperature.

-Automatic translation

• During the review of the recommendations, particular emphasis was placed on examining whether there are health benefits of introducing foods other than breast milk before six months.

• Research results show that neither breastfeeding exclusively for six months nor introducing allergenic foods at four months of age, rather than at six months of age, reduces the likelihood of food allergies.

• Systematic reviews that evaluate research results based on specific research quality standards and consider various factors (not only allergies) suggest that there is no reason to change the recommendation to give babies only breast milk plus vitamin D for the first six months of life.

-Automatic translation

Do not delay the consumption of potential allergens

Children in risk groups for allergies, i.e. infants who have parents and siblings who are allergic and also young children who have eczema, should not necessarily limit the consumption of possible allergens.

A breastfeeding mother should not exclude foods from her diet to prevent child allergies. Today's knowledge suggests that a mother's avoidance of certain foods does not protect against or delay allergies and intolerances in a child.

If the mother has been diagnosed with a food allergy, she only has to exclude the types of food to which she is allergic.

It is advisable to consult a nutritionist in such cases to ensure the good nutritional value of the mother's milk.

Increase variety in food choices relatively quickly after six months of age

Increasing the variety of food choices relatively quickly after six months is desirable. At that time, the baby starts to eat solid food and should get small portions of different food types that are gradually increased.

It is recommended to give one new type of food at a time but to increase the variety quite quickly, i.e. give different types of food in small amounts.

A child who gets used to eating food with different textures and tastes early on will likely be less picky later on.

Give small portions of regular food rather than baby formula

If a four- to six-month-old baby needs more than just breast milk, it should get small portions of regular food rather than infant formula.

If this is the case, it must be kept in mind that the amount is so tiny that it does not decrease breastfeeding. Children who have started to receive solid food in small portions at the age of 4–6 months can have porridge made from cereals containing gluten and gluten-free varieties.

-Automatic translation

• It is recommended to give vitamin D drops from the age of 1-2 weeks and fish oil when the child starts eating solid food.

• If the children seem to tolerate the vitamin D drops poorly, another type can be tried.

• It is essential to carefully examine the amount of vitamin D in the drops, as they contain varying amounts of vitamin D. An equivalent of 10 micrograms should be given. It must also be considered that the manufacturer's recommended dose may be different from that recommended for infants in Iceland.

-Automatic translation

• Suppose a cow's milk allergy has been diagnosed. In that case, it is recommended to give a hydrolysed formula, a unique milk mixture in which the proteins have been broken down, such as Pepticate or Nutramigen. This applies to children who are not breastfed or if there is a need for milk other than the mother's milk.

• In rare cases of very bad allergies, giving an amino acid-based baby formula, for example, Neocate, may be necessary. However, it is not sold in regular stores; it must be ordered specially. Parents of children with allergies should consult with healthcare professionals before excluding food from the diet.

-Automatic translation

• Herbal drinks (soy, oat, almond, rice, etc.) are unsuitable for infants. Breastfeeding is recommended, but for those children who are not breastfed or don't get enough, infant formula is recommended until six months of age.

• Infant formula made from soy milk (soy proteins) is available if people prefer it to traditional infant formula. It is worth pointing out that rice drinks are not for children under six years of age, as they may contain excessive amounts of arsenic.