RESUMO
Appropriate infant feeding practices are conditioned by the nutritional needs and degree of functional maturity of infants, particularly as regards their excretory capacity and defences against infection, and the type of food given. This publication reviews the latest scientific information on the physiological development of infants during the prenatal period and first year of life, and the implications for infant feeding. It emphasizes appropriate dietary patters and practices based on the nutritional adequacy of the food and the infant's evolving nutritional requirements. This publication provides the scientific basis for preparing guidelines on infant feeding, taking into account the available foods and local customs. It is intended mainly for general practitioners, obstetricians, paediatricians, midwives, nutritionists and nurses, and for those in schools of public health. It will also be of interest to general readers who wish to update their knowedge on this subject
