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            The purpose of this article is to inform the reader on essential skills that would assist minimize infant mortality, define infant feeding norms, and evaluate underlying reasons how infant development ensues in terms of the feeding skills.

 Skills needed to minimize infant mortality

 Protection commences before the mother gives birth. An expectant mother needs to under vaccination against sicknesses such as influenza (Iams et.al, 2008). During pregnancy, these diseases can also affect the child through the placenta that is in contact with the mother’s blood stream.

 Apart from immunization, breastfeeding a child from birth makes the infant healthier. Breast milk contains rich nutrients, which strengthens the immune system of the child hence increasing their survival rate (Delaney, & Arvedson, 2008).

Infant feeding behavior

After six months, a baby can consume simple solids with milk hence the baby needs to be responsive every time it is fed (Delaney, & Arvedson, 2008).. When it gets hungry, it can cry out and the mother can take the chance to feed it more food.

Infant development progress

            In terms of physicality after a few months, an infant moves from being helpless to an energetic infant. After a year, a mother must note these changes in her baby. Infants grow at an alarming rate and each month a new alteration occurs (Delaney, & Arvedson, 2008). In order for the changes to take place, there are certain skills a mother should adhere to notice healthy progress.

Feeding skills development

An infant needs to feed on healthy foods at particular times. The mother should lay the toddler in a partial inclined position while feeding and the baby should identify the feeding bottle (Iams et.al, 2008). The baby should utilize hands during breast-feeding and show a good and awareness of synchronization as he or she swallows and sucks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Iams, J. D., Romero, R., Culhane, J. F., & Goldenberg, R. L. (2008). Primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of preterm birth. The lancet, 371(9607), 164-175.

Delaney, A. L., & Arvedson, J. C. (2008). Development of swallowing and feeding: prenatal through first year of life. Developmental disabilities research reviews, 14(2), 105-117.