Proper infant nutrition is fundamental to a child’s continued health from birth to late
adulthood. During the first three years of an infant's life, proper feeding plays an
instrumental role in lowering morbidity and mortality and preventing chronic
diseases throughout the life span. A balanced diet also promotes the cognitive and
physical development of an infant. According to the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child, every infant has the right to good nutrition. However, only
one-fourth of infants have access to the requisite dietary diversity and feeding
frequency in most countries. Improper feeding practices account for almost a third
of all cases of malnutrition worldwide.