Mother's intention to breastfeed and awareness of health recommendations

Exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) (1) and also by the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents (2). While initiation rates of breast feeding are high, few infants are exclusively breastfed to 6 months. A study undertaken in southwest Sydney has looked at mother's awareness of the current health recommendations and how this impacts on their intention to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (3).

Iron fortified milk and red meat improve toddler's iron status

A New Zealand study, undertaken by the University of Otago and published on-line in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has shown that a balanced diet including an iron fortified milk such as a toddler milk or red meat can prevent iron levels from falling (1). 

Don't forget to wash your hands - Global Handwashing Day

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day (www.globalhandwashingday.org) providing a timely reminder to make sure we all wash our hands, particularly after going to the toilet and before preparing, serving and eating food. Washing hands is one of the simplest ways we can prevent diarrhoea, food poisoning and upper respiratory tract infections particularly in infants and young children (1).

Diet & Hyperactivity - Dr Velencia Soutter & Dr Anne Swain

Diet & behaviour. Drs Velencia Soutter & Anne Swain, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit, take an historical look at the Feingold diet and draw on their own clinical experiences and research in the area.

Type of milk feeding in infancy and taste acceptance

The development of taste begins even before the infant has taken his first solid food. During pregnancy food flavours from mother's diet enter the amniotic fluid, while during lactation they migrate into breast milk. The formula fed infant, while receiving a more constant flavour profile than the breast fed infant, still experiences different flavours, depending on the type of formula used, its ingredients and processing method. A recent study has looked at whether infants show a preference for the same taste profile found in their milk feeding ( sweet, sour, bitter, salty, savoury) when introduced to solid foods (1).