the brain and the spinal cord

(a bundle of nerves running through the backbone, and branching out to every part of the body)

*sensory messages travel to the brain & motor commands travel back*

in early growth and development= top to bottom

physical: children grow from the head down,

sensory & motor: learn to use upper body parts before lower ones

*babies heads' disproportionately large

(by age 1 head is 70% of its adult weight, but rest of body is only 10-20% of its adult weight)

growth and development, proceed from inner to outer, from center of body to outer parts.

• most growth in first 3 yrs:
• by 5 months, average boy doubled in weight (8-16lbs)
• by 1 yr, triples (23lbs)

• better immunity to infectious diseases (diarrhea, ear infections, Urinary Tract Infections, etc)
• lowered risk of SIDS
• less inflammatory bowel disease
• better visual & neurological development, cardiovascular health
• less chronic disease- asthma, diabetes,
• less likely to show language & motor delays,
• fewer cavities & less need for braces

Breastfeeding:

Benefits to Mothers

• quicker recovery from labor, & less postpartum bleeding
• more likely to lose pregnancy weight & less risk of obesity
• less risk of anemia
• CANNOT get pregnant again while nursing!
• less anxiety
• less risk of osteoporosis, & less ovarian & breast cancer

• Breastfeeding: ONLY breastfded at least 6 months, a year or more if possible
• Breastfeeding NOT recommended with HIV+ moms, moms w/TB, moms on medications or drugs
• NO cows milk until 1 year
• No fruit juice or solids until minimum 6 months

• Introduced between 6-12 months
• beginning with cereal, fruit juice also
• MOST parents do not follow these guidelines!!