Important Minerals

Nutrients play an important part in a baby’s development. Some minerals, also known as micro nutrients, are needed by our body in minute quantities for proper growth. They form essential parts of larger molecules, have specific functions and are indispensable for life. They include calcium, iodine, iron, selenium and zinc. Breast milk contains all the nutrients baby needs to thrive. It becomes very important that a breastfeeding mother is eating a balanced diet that gives her the required daily quota of minerals. Here is talking about few:

1. Zinc
This mineral is essential for a healthy immune system and resistance to infection. It helps with the healing of wounds and is an important component of many enzyme reactions. The body does not store zinc as it needs to be replaced with zinc found in the food we eat. The foods rich in zinc include chick peas, whole meal bread, baked beans, Cheddar cheese, fruit yogurt and pumpkin seeds. The baby is born with zinc reserves. This mineral also occurs in breast-milk at much higher relative concentrations, especially in the first three months. After six months of age, you need to make sure that you include foods that contain this mineral in your baby’s diet.

2. Iron
Iron is needed to make hemoglobin.  Getting enough iron is important in the first year of life. Iron is one of the more important minerals your baby needs. The most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, as in India, is iron deficiency. The effects of a diet poor in iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. These include learning problems, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. As babies are more susceptible to iron deficiency, the types of foods they eat are important. Beginning six months of age, babies need to be gradually introduced to foods that are rich in iron. Apart from iron-fortified cereal, iron rich foods for infants include red meats, legumes, whole-wheat products, as well as eggs, red lentils, green vegetables like broccoli, peas, spring greens, spinach and dried fruits like apricots.

3. Calcium
This mineral is important for the development and healthy maintenance of bones and teeth and for maintaining healthy muscles and proper muscle contraction. Calcium is needed for the process of hardening bones of your baby. Calcium is found in milk and milk products like cottage cheese, curd et cetera, as well as in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.

4. Iodine
It is essential for normal thyroid functioning and the development of the nervous system.  Iodine is critical for infants because it is important for the growth of neural /brain cells and its deficiency can result in poor mental development. Iodine is found in Iodized salt, bread, egg, cottage cheese as well as seafood.

5. Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. Selenium is an important antioxidant that helps to prevent cellular damage. Meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Nuts, cottage cheese and eggs also have some selenium. It can also be found in fortified infant cereals.