Maternal & Infant Nutrition Maternal & Infant Nutrition details the specific nutritional needs of the developing fetus and the mother, before and during pregnancy, and while lactating. Infant (newborn to 6 months) nutritional needs and assessment are addressed, as well as appropriate feedings.

Module Content:

* Nutrition in fetal development: critical times for nutrients

* Importance of pre- & post-conceptional nutrition to prevent birth defects

* Nutrient transfer: from chorionic sac to placenta

* Maternal and infant nutritional assessment

* Lactation overview, benefits, guidelines

* Infant feeding and nutritional requirements

* Needs of special infants

Case Study: 36-year-old pregnant woman who is lacto-ovo vegetarian

Learning Objectives:

After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. Cite maternal and fetal nutrient requirements in pregnancy and maternal requirements during lactation.

2. Describe the physiology of nutrient transfer from mother to fetus.

3. Characterize nutritional consequences of placental insufficiency.

4. Assess and advise pregnant or lactating women on their dietary needs

5. Describe human milk production, regulation, nutritional composition, and benefits.

6. Relate nutrient requirements during early infancy to growth and development.

7. Explain feeding and nutritional concerns for low birth weight infants.