SMA Nutrition released research today which reveals that 93 percent of mums are unaware that, on average, babies are consuming too much protein during their early development.
While almost one in five mums know that breastfed babies grow at a steadier rate than bottle fed babies, the research highlighted that only 9 percent of mums were aware that too much protein in the first 1000 days may cause rapid growth.
SMA Nutrition is calling on Irish mums to be aware that during a baby’s early development, they require the right quality and quantity of protein to help them to grow at a steady rate.
Aveen Bannon, dietician and mum, spoke at an SMA Nutrition event today, saying: “As a baby develops, the level of protein in breast milk decreases to meet a baby’s changing needs. According to SMA® Nutrition research, just 10 percent of mums are aware of this. Some 61 percent of respondents believed that the level of protein either increased or that it remained the same. For both breast and bottle fed babies, it is essential their protein intake changes to meet their requirements at different stages in their development."
She continued, "Research has proven that, on average, breast fed babies grow at a steadier rate than bottle fed babies, and protein intake is a big factor in this. This growth rate is associated with better health outcomes in later life, for example a reduced risk of being overweight or obese in later life.”
SMA Nutrition also asked mums where they find information on their baby’s needs, with 55 percent of mums saying that they turn to healthcare professionals for advice, with half of surveyed mums saying that they use the Internet as a source of information.
In contrast, just 10 percent of mums used other sources, such as books and educational knowledge, to find information on their baby’s nutritional needs. The majority of mothers, 76 percent, said that they were not provided with adequate information regarding their baby’s protein requirements.
Speaking at the event, Nuala Collins, a dietician and General Operations Manager at SMA Nutrition, said: “The Mums of Today Event is about opening dialogue around babies protein needs. As a dietician, I believe it is worth noting that three quarters (76 percent) of mums do not feel informed about their baby’s changing protein requirements.”
“Our research reveals that the majority of mums said that they give their baby’s future nutritional needs a lot of consideration. While half of mums use the Internet to find information, we would suggest they speak to their healthcare professional who will provide them with expert advice. In addition, SMA® Nutrition has a free Careline which is available 24/7. An expert team of mums can answer questions parents may have on their baby’s wellbeing and development, as well as their nutritional needs.”
Research Fellow Dr Caoileann Murphy found that older adults require additional protein in later life to preserve their muscle mass and function. As we grow from birth through to adulthood, we need to adjust our protein intake to get the optimum levels of protein for our needs.
Older people need more protein, while babies need less than was previously thought for healthy growth.
