Supporting Optimal Infant Nutrition

摘要

The accessible and informed pharmacist plays an increasingly important role in fostering infant health and nutrition. Parents need prompt, reliable, and continuous evidence-based information about the benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the child. Human milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, but in some cases mothers opt to formula feed, and there are some circumstances in which formula feeding may be preferable or necessary. Pharmacists can contribute to infants' optimal growth and development by providing parents with information on breastfeeding, indications for formula feeding, and the introduction of complementary foods and vitamin and mineral supplementation.