Breast milk is the only food that a child younger than six months of age needs. After six months, children require more energy and essential nutrients than breast milk alone can provide. This includes proteins and essential fats, as well as about 20 different vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc and iron.
A World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study leading to the development of the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006) has shown that all young children across all regions can attain a similar standard of height and weight and development with optimal nutrition, good healthcare and a healthy environment. Therefore the nutritional needs of rapidly-growing children everywhere in the world are essentially the same.
(MSF via China.org.cn December 2, 2008)
