In the family, differences between the parents of the new generation and the older generation about the concept of parenting, especially the different opinions on the eating habits of the infants, often become the focus of contention. In the case of salt intake in infants, current medical advice tends to avoid adding salt to food until the baby is less than one year old. This recommendation is based on the idea that high levels of salt may adversely affect the baby's kidney function. However, some elders may believe based on their own parenting experience that adding a small amount of salt can increase the taste of food, thereby stimulating the baby's appetite and promoting healthy growth.
Long-term salt deficiency can lead to decreased physical strength and loss of appetite, demonstrating the importance of salt in maintaining human health. However, babies do not need additional salt. Sodium chloride, the key ingredient in salt, is the main component of sodium**, but sodium and chloride are also found in meat, eggs, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, not in the form of sodium chloride. Babies already get enough sodium from breast milk, formula and complementary foods to support their growing needs. Therefore, adding salt to a baby's food is not only excessive, but can also cause excessive sodium intake.
Eating habits in infancy and early childhood have a profound impact on their health. If the oil and salt content of early foods is too high, the child's preference for natural foods may gradually decrease, which may lead to picky or picky eating behaviors. This dietary preference not only affects the normal growth and development of children, but can also lead to other health problems. For example, excessive salt intake can lead to the excretion of too much sodium in the body, while at the same time, essential calcium will be excreted from the body, affecting the healthy growth of bones and teeth.
Excessive salt intake can also increase the burden on a child's kidneys. Especially before the age of 1 year, when the baby's kidney function is not fully developed, excessive sodium intake may pose a threat to kidney health. Long-term high-salt diets may also increase the risk of hypertension, which is an important risk factor for many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Therefore, for babies up to 1 year of age, there is no need to add additional salt to food; Even after 1 year of age, salt intake should be strictly controlled. Moderate salt intake is essential for the healthy development of children. This adjustment will not only help promote healthy eating habits in your child, but also lay a strong foundation for their long-term health.
Sodium is an essential trace element that varies from child to child at different stages of development. In the first six months of a child's life, only 170 mg of sodium per day is needed, which can be met by breast milk or formula milk without additional supplementation. When a child is older than six months to one year old, the daily sodium requirement increases to 350 mg. At this time, your child begins to eat complementary foods, which provide the sodium they need, so they do not need to increase their salt intake. However, the daily sodium requirements of children over one year of age cannot be fully met by complementary foods, and parents need to start supplementing their children with salt in moderation. Especially before the child's three years of age, their salt intake should be significantly lower than ** to ensure healthy growth.