Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Section 13-3 Nutrition Across the Lifespan 341 vegetable groups will provide needed vitamins, minerals, and fi ber. Doctors may also prescribe prenatal supplements to help meet increased needs for folic acid and iron during pregnancy. Nutrition in Infancy Every part of a child’s body grows and develops most rapidly during the fi rst year of life. Good nutrition is most important during this year to build a strong foundation for a healthy lifetime. Breast milk or formula is a baby’s fi rst food. Breast milk is perfectly designed to meet most of a baby’s nutrient needs. Formula also provides needed nutrients, but health professionals agree that breast milk is the best choice for infant nutrition. To protect her health while breast-feeding, a mother needs to maintain a healthy eating plan. See 13-11. Babies need vitamin C early in life. Breast milk and formula contain adequate vitamin C. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests delaying the introduction of fruit juice until babies are about 12 months of age. Juice should be served in a cup (not a bottle) and no more than four ounces per day. Doctors may also recommend vitamin supplements for babies. According to the AAP, it is best to wait until a baby is about six months of age to introduce solid foods unless otherwise directed by the doctor. Cereals are generally introduced fi rst. Other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are then introduced gradually. Babies can soon begin eating a variety of foods from all the food groups. 13-11 By eating well, a nursing mother gets the extra nutrients her body needs to make milk for her baby. Tomsickova Tatyana/Shutterstock.com