• Deakin University

Infant Nutrition: from Breastfeeding to Baby's First Solids

Learn what good nutrition looks like for your baby as they move from milk to family foods across their first year of life.

49,031 enrolled on this course

Toddler eating with the face in the plate

Infant Nutrition: from Breastfeeding to Baby's First Solids

49,031 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore the principles of good nutrition in the first 12 months of a baby’s life

In this insightful course led by nutritional experts from Deakin University, you’ll trace the milestones in a baby’s first year of life to learn about the principles of good infant nutrition and how you can apply them.

You’ll explore the nutritional requirements of young children, as well as why healthy food for babies is so essential.

Discover the benefits of breastfeeding and the role of infant formula

Both breastfeeding and formula can form an essential part of a young child’s nutrition, and you’ll explore how and why this is. You’ll learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and why formula can be so useful.

This course also gives you the opportunity to get to grips with some of the global infant nutrition guidelines and best-practices.

Learn how to develop an infant feeding schedule and how to start weaning

You’ll learn what and how much to feed babies, how and when to start weaning onto baby’s first solids, and practical strategies for dealing with fussy eaters.

This course also gives you the chance to understand why an infant feeding schedule is important. As babies move from milk and mushy stuff to take their place at the family table, you’ll learn why this step is so important.

Understand and identify what foods babies need

By the end of the course, as well as understanding the principles behind infant feeding guidelines, you’ll also know about what types of foods are healthy and nutritious for infants.

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What topics will you cover?

  • Infants’ nutritional requirements and the roles of breastfeeding or infant formula in meeting them
  • Comparison of global nutritional guidelines, best practice and evidence-based research to find out what foods babies need, and how much and how often to feed them
  • When and how to introduce solid foods
  • Why participating in family meals is important for promoting food acceptance and preferences for lifelong health and wellbeing.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the key principles of good infant nutrition
  • Explain the importance of breastfeeding and what role infant formula may play
  • Describe methods for introducing solid foods into the diet of infants
  • Identify a range of healthy nutritious foods for infants
  • Describe the importance of feeding infants during family meals.

Who is the course for?

This course has been specially created for parents of new infants with an interest in early childhood nutrition, including those wanting to undertake further study.

Who will you learn with?

Karen Campbell is a Professor in the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University. Her work focuses on improving maternal and child health through achieving optimal nutrition.

Who developed the course?

Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia’s largest universities with more than 61,000 students and over 15,000 online.

  • Established

    1974
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 280Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Ways to learn

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$104/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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