Kaija Hasunen, Marja Kalavainen, Hilkka Keinonen, Hanna Lagström, Arja Lyytikäinen, Annika Nurttila, Terttu Peltola, Sanna Talvia. The Child, Family and Food. Nutrition recommendations for infants and young children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Helsinki 2004. 254 p. (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, ISSN 1236-2050, 2004:11, ISBN 952-00-1528-0)

The book "Lapsi, perhe ja ruoka" (The Child, Family and Food) contains the latest nutritional recommendations for the whole family. In the book the recommendations are reflected as food, especially as the joy of eating, and as a number of different kinds of possibilities to gain good nutrition. This book on basic nutrition and the most common special diets is an ideal handbook, textbook, and a source of information for all those professionals who deal with the nutrition of children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers as well as families.

The nutrition recommendations for infants and young children are meant for healthy children born with normal weight and the recommendations for pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding are meant for normal pregnancy and healthy mothers. The dietary guidelines are based on the Finnish Nutritional Recommendations issued by the National Nutrition Council (1998) as well as the latest research. The recommendations for infants take into consideration the World Health Organisations recommendations for breastfeeding (2002).

In order to have good nutrition, it is important to have regular meals, balanced diet, and an amount of food that corresponds to the energy expenditure. Having meals together with the family affect positively the well-being of the whole family. A balanced diet consists of the basic elements of daily meals such as the choice of the type of milk, bread, and fat as well as the regular intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries. Everyday, repeated food choices influence the nutrition more than occasional choices.

Healthy mothers with a balanced diet do not need to make any specific changes in their diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The proper diet contains a sufficient amount of vegetables, fruits, and berries, wholemeal products, fat-free dairy products, and soft table spreads.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until the age of six months, complementary feeding starting individually at the latest at the age of six months, breastfeeding continuing partially until the end of the first year. Balanced diet and regular meals are important at the end of the first year as well as switching to coarser food and teaching children to eat by themselves. If breastfeeding is not continued, infant formula is given instead. Infants need D vitamin supplements. Giving juice by bottle should be avoided and the feeding bottle should be gradually given up at the latest when children are one year old. Children need a balanced diet and eating at regular times. They regulate themselves the quantity of food they eat. Children should be guided to choose different kinds of dishes and taste new kinds of food. They should be encouraged to learn how to eat by themselves unhurriedly in a peaceful and safe environment that promotes learning. The family’s food choices, meal occasion, mealtime talk and attitudes affect the development of children’s eating habits. It is important that young children have a varied diet, which includes a lot of vegetables, fruits and berries, soft table spreads, fat-free milk, and healthy snacks. It also important to choose beverages sensibly and to avoid the habit of snack eating between the meals.

Key words: infants, children in preschool age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, food, nutrition, nutrition guidance