Child
As babies become young children, they change as much on the inside as the outside, as their gut microbiota evolve due to the introduction of solid foods
Laursen, M. F., Bahl, M. I., Michaelsen, K. F., & Licht, T. R. (2017). First foods and gut microbes. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00356
, and their immune system further matures
Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027
.Their brains develop too, as they begin to focus on language and higher cognitive functions
Nelson, C. A. (2000). Neural plasticity and human development: The role of early experience in sculpting memory systems. Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7687.00104
. Explore new ways to meet their needs with ingredient solutions parents will love.
The growth and development of young children relies on getting adequate nutrients and creating an environment in the gut that welcomes the right bacteria
Laursen, M. F., Bahl, M. I., Michaelsen, K. F., & Licht, T. R. (2017). First foods and gut microbes. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00356
. Brands can help parents ensure their children grow up healthy by leveraging proven and trusted ingredients that support physical as well as mental development.
How to help young children thrive
Whatever the positioning of your young child milk formula – supporting the immune system, helping healthy growth, encouraging cognitive development or all of the above, it’s essential to formulate with high-quality, science-backed ingredients. That’s what wins the trust of parents the world over, who prioritise their children’s health above all else.
What health issues are parents and healthcare professionals around the globe witnessing?
Research reveals what parents need the most support with, when it comes to early childhood nutrition.
- Worldwide, 50% of children under the age of five suffer from micronutrient deficiencies
UNICEF, 2019, https://www.unicef.org/media/60831/file/SOWC-2019-ESA.pdf
. - Healthcare professionals state that immune-related symptoms such as fever, runny nose and cough are most frequently reported by parents of children aged 1-3 years
FrieslandCampina Ingredients & YouGov Early Life Nutrition survey Indonesia and Vietnam, 2022
. - Across all countries surveyed in a recent exclusive global study, immune health was one of the top three concerns for parents with children aged 3-5
Innova Market Insights & RFC, Early Life Nutrition survey, 2020
. - But parental priorities change between countries with this age group: vitamin and mineral deficiency is more important to parents in the UK and emerging markets, whereas muscle development tops the table in the USA
Innova Market Insights & RFC, Early Life Nutrition survey, 2020
. - In France and China, emotional wellbeing ranks very highly for parents of young children, but it falls outside the top five concerns in Indonesia
Innova Market Insights & RFC, Early Life Nutrition survey, 2020
. - A recent parental insights survey in Indonesia and Vietnam showed that ready-to-drink solutions represent 40% of the complementary food given by parents to their children, with the main drivers being to support ‘growth and development’ and ‘immune health’
FrieslandCampina Ingredients & YouGov Early Life Nutrition survey Indonesia and Vietnam, 2022
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