Research on the intake of breast milk and complementary foods in infants in China

chinacdc.cn | Updated: 2023-02-08
Breast milk is the most suitable food for infants, which can meet almost all nutrient needs of infants aged 0 to 5 months. 
 
The study of breast milk intake provides direct evidence for formulating the nutrient requirements of infants. The nutrient requirements of infants aged 0 to 5 months can be obtained by calculating the nutrient intake of only breast-fed infants through breast milk intake.
 
The age of 6~23 months is an important part of the first 1000 days of life, and is the key period to realize the transition from liquid food (breast milk) to solid food (family meals), that is, the supplementary food addition period. The supplement period is the high incidence period of infant malnutrition. Scientific addition of complementary foods is an important part of infant nutrition intervention, including complementary feeding guidance and complementary nutrition supplement.
 
The maternal and child nutrition team from the National Institute for Nutrition and Health of the China CDC analyzed the breast milk intake of 0-5 month-old infants and the complementary energy and nutrient intake of 6-23 month-old infants. The findings are pulished by Journal of Hygiene Research.
 
Breast milk intake of 0-5-month-old infants in China from 2019 to 2021
 
Consumption of complementary energy and nutrients for infants aged 6 to 23 months in China from 2019 to 2021