Building blocks for healthy development: Five ways to step up nutrition for children

Every child’s life begins as a blank canvas – full of potential, promise and possibility. From the first feed to the first steps, through school days and teenage years, each stage brings its own challenges, opportunities and unique nutritional needs to fuel healthy growth and development. The challenge? While mums and dads want more for their kids, seeking tailored and targeted nutritional solutions, the market hasn’t quite caught up. That gap creates a powerful opening for brands to step up nutrition with solutions that truly make a difference.

Join us as we explore five key pillars of healthy child development – from growth and immunity to cognitive, gut and mental health – and uncover strategies to improve nutrition in children with science-backed ingredients.

#1 Building the foundations: ingredients for growth and development

Think back to childhood: the climbing, running and endless motion. Beneath it all, bones were growing fast, building the strength that supports a lifetime of movement.

Between the ages of five and fifteen, children experience a steady growth in height and changes in body composition. But did you know…?

• About 40% of linear growth occurs between the ages of five and 15 years.
  
  Saavedra, J.M & Prentice, A.M. Nutrition in school age children : a rationale for revisiting priorities. Nutrition Reviews vol 81 823-843. Preprint at http://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac089 (2023)
  
  
  
• A child typically grows 5-6cm each year until adolescence.
  
  Tanner, J. Foetus into Man: Physical Growth from Conception to Maturity. (1978).
  
  
  
• More than 80% of total bone mineral content (BMC) is formed during childhood.
  
  3 Sopher, A. B., Fennoy, I. & Oberfield, S. E. An update on childhood bone health: mineral accrual, assessment and treatment. doi:10.1097/MED.
  
  
  

Nutrition and child development go hand in hand – each shaping the other to help children reach their full potential. While macronutrients provide the structural foundation for growth, adequate intake of multiple micronutrients like vitamin D, calcium and zinc is essential for building strong bones and preventing growth retardation.

Inzaghi, E., Pampanini, V., Deodati, A. & Cianfarani, S.The Effects of Nutrition on Linear Growth. Nutrients 14,1752 (2022).



Yet, some minerals, like iron, pose additional challenges, as their limited bioavailability can hinder absorption

Tondeur, M. C. et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80, 1436–1444 (2004)



and disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiota.

Jaeggi, T. et al. Iron fortification adversely affects the gut microbiome, increases pathogen abundance and induces intestinal inflammation in Kenyan infants. Gut 64, 731–742 (2015) .



This is where galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) come into play. Research shows that consuming 7.5g/day can increase iron absorption by 62% in infants

Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017).



and 5g/day can improve calcium absorption by 13% in young girls.

Whisner, C. M. et al. Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial. Br. J. Nutr. 110, 1292–303 (2013).



FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ GOS  are among the most extensively studied galacto-oligosaccharides worldwide. Supported by over 70 clinical studies in infants and children, they enable brands to develop products with proven benefits for nutrient absorption, gut microbiota balance and overall gut health.

And while science drives innovation, one simple truth remains: good nutrition only works when children enjoy it. Taste matters. If kids don’t like how something tastes, they simply won’t eat it. That’s why demand is rising for fun, flavourful solutions with added nutritional value, such as yoghurts, dairy drinks or child-friendly gummies and supplements. To help brands create products that tick all the boxes, we created Step Up Nutrition, a cross-category portfolio designed to meet the needs of children aged three and up. It offers innovative solutions to deliver essential nutrients in formats kids love, keeping taste and nutrition perfectly balanced.

• The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) DHA: LCPUFAs are essential for the production and function of immune cells, providing the building blocks for the development and maintenance of a strong immune system.
  
  Miles, E. A., Childs, C. E. & Calder, P. C. Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) and the Developing Immune System: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 13, 247 (2021).
  Munteanu, C. & Schwartz, B. The relationship between nutrition and the immune system. Frontiers in Nutrition vol. 9 Preprint at doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1082500.
  
  
  
  DHA, in particular, contributes to modulating inflammatory responses, helping regulate the immune system’s reaction to infections and reduce the risk of excessive inflammation.
  
  Miles, E. A., Childs, C. E. & Calder, P. C. Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) and the Developing Immune System: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 13, 247 (2021).
  
  
  
  Studies in children suggest that DHA supplementation can also help treat and prevent respiratory illnesses, leading to fewer sick days and shorter illness duration.
  
  Miles, E. A., Childs, C. E. & Calder, P. C. Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) and the Developing Immune System: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 13, 247 (2021).
  Minns, L. M. et al. Toddler formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves DHA status and respiratory health in a randomized, double-blind,controlled trial of US children less than 3 years of age. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) 82, 287–293 (2010).
  Miles, E. A., Childs, C. E. & Calder, P. C. Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) and the Developing Immune System: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 13, 247(2021).
  
  
  
• Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM): Packed with beneficial lipids and proteins, this unique combination can act as a supportive shield for young bodies. Whey-based MFGM supports immune function, reducing the prevalence of diarrhoea
  
  Thienprasert, A. et al. Fish Oil N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Selectively Affect Plasma Cytokines and Decrease Illness in Thai Schoolchildren: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Intervention Trial. J Pediatr 154, 391–395 (2009).
  
  
  
  and middle ear infections in infants.
  
  Zavaleta, N., Kvistgaard, A. S., Graverholt, G., Respicio, G., Guija, H., Valencia, N., & Lönnerdal, B. (2011). Efficacy of a Complementary Food Enriched with a Milk Fat Globule Membrane Protein Fraction on Diarrhea, Anemia and Micronutrient Status in Infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e318225cdaf
  
  
  
  Plus, an exciting recent in vitro study demonstrated how whey-derived MFGM also has anti-viral effects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
  
  E Kramer et al., MFGM-enriched whey displays antiviral activity against common pediatric viruses in vitro, Nutritional Immunology. Vol. 11, 2024.
  
  
  
• Lactoferrin:  multitasker protein is known for supporting a normal immune response against viruses and
  
  Donovan, S. M. (2016). The Role of Lactoferrin in Gastrointestinal and Immune Development and Function: A Preclinical Perspective. Journal of Pediatrics, 173, S16–S28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.02.072
  Elzoghby, A. O., Abdelmoneem, M. A., Hassanin, I. A., Abd Elwakil, M. M., Elnaggar, M. A., Mokhtar, S., Fang, J. Y., & Elkhodairy, K. A. (2020). Lactoferrin, a multi-functional glycoprotein: Active therapeutic, drug nanocarrier & targeting ligand. Biomaterials, 263(August), 120355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120355
  
  
  
  playing a key immune modulatory
  
  Kruzel, M. L., Zimecki, M., & Actor, J. K. (2017). Lactoferrin in a context of inflammation-induced pathology. In Frontiers in Immunology (Vol. 8, Issue NOV). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01438
  
  
  
  gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract infections in infants and young
  
  Chen, K., Chai, L., Li, H., Zhang, Y., Xie, H. M., Shang, J., Tian, W., Yang, P., & Jiang, A. C. (2016). Effect of bovine lactoferrin from iron-fortified formulas on diarrhea and respiratory tract infections of weaned infants in a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition, 32(2), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.08.010
  Gao, Y., Hou, L., Lu, C., Wang, Q., Pan, B., & Wang, Q. (2020). Enteral Lactoferrin Supplementation for Preventing Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants : A Meta  Analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 1186. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01186
  King, J. C., Cummings, G. E., Guo, N., Trivedi, L., Readmond, B. X., Keane, V., Feigelman, S., & De Waard, R. (2007). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in bottle-fed infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 44(2), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mpg.0000243435.54958.68
  Li, F., Wu, S. S., Berseth, C. L., Harris, C. L., Richards, J. D., Wampler, J. L., Zhuang, W., Cleghorn, G., Rudolph, C. D., Liu, B., Shaddy, D. J., & Colombo, J. (2019). Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Associated with Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Lactoferrin in Infant Formula: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.08.030
  Tarnow-Mordi, W. O., Abdel-Latif, M. E., Martin, A., Pammi, M., Robledo, K., Manzoni, P., Osborn, D., Lui, K., Keech, A., Hague, W., Ghadge, A., Travadi, J., Brown, R., Darlow, B. A., Liley, H., Pritchard, M., Kochar, A., Isaacs, D., Gordon, A., … Espinoza, D. (2020). The effect of lactoferrin supplementation on death or major morbidity in very low birthweight infants (LIFT): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 4(6), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30093-6
  
  
  

#3 Fuelling curiosity with cognitive health ingredients

A child’s brain is like a sponge, rapidly absorbing experiences, sounds and sights as it develops at remarkable speed. By age two, it reaches about 75% of its adult size. By five, it’s at 90%.

Tanner, J. Foetus into Man: Physical Growth from Conception to Maturity. (1978).



Growth continues more gradually during childhood, especially between the ages of four and 11, with the cortical grey matter peaking during school age.

Mills, K. L. et al. Structural between childhood and adulthood: Convergence across four longitudinal samples. Neuroimage 141, 273–281 (2016).



This period is a golden window for laying the foundation for learning, attention and cognitive skills – all of which are closely tied to nutrition.

The human brain depends on a full spectrum of essential nutrients to form and maintain its complex structure. Among them, nutritional lipids play a leading role – with DHA standing out as a key contributor, making up 20% of the brain’s total lipid content.

Uauy, R. & Dangour, A. D. Nutrition in Brain Development and Aging: Role of Essential Fatty Acids. Nutr Rev 64, 24–33 (2006)



While brain accretion of DHA starts during the third trimester of gestation, it continues until the age of 18 years,

Carver, J. D., Benford, V. J., Han, B. & Cantor, A. B. The relationship between age and the fatty acid composition of cerebral cortex and erythrocytes in human subjects. Brain Res Bull 56, (2001).
 



underscoring the importance of an adequate dietary intake well beyond infancy.

DHA has been shown to:

• Support brain structure development, function and metabolism.
  
  Lepping, R. J. et al. Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the first year of life affects brain function, structure, and metabolism at age nine years. Dev Psychobiol 61, 5–16 (2019).
  
  
  
• Promote learning, attention and school performance in healthy children.
  
  Richardson, A. J., Burton, J. R., Sewell, R. P., Spreckelsen, T. F. & Montgomery, P. Docosahexaenoic Acid for Reading, Cognition and Behavior in Children Aged 7–9 Years: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (The DOLAB Study). PLoS One 7, e43909 (2012)
  Kuratko, C., Barrett, E., Nelson, E. & Salem, N. The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review. Nutrients 5, 2777–2810 (2013).
  Sittiprapaporn, P., Bumrungpert, A., Suyajai, P. & Stough, C. Effectiveness of Fish Oil-DHA Supplementation for Cognitive Function in Thai Children: A Randomized, Doubled-Blind, Two-Dose, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Foods 11, (2022).
  
  
  

But DHA doesn’t work alone. A range of micronutrients also contribute to healthy cognitive development, including iron, zinc, choline, folate, vitamin B12 and iodine.

The Role of Nutrition in Cognitive Development. In Handbook of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (2019). doi:10.7551/mitpress/7437.003.0046.



Beyond individual nutrients, emerging research highlights the importance of overall dietary patterns: diets rich in whole grains, fatty acids and dairy are associated with larger brain volumes and improved cognitive outcomes in school-age children worldwide.

Mou, Y. et al. Dietary patterns, brain morphology and cognitive performance in children: Results from a prospective population-based study. Eur J Epidemiol 38, (2023).

Diet is an important architect of this inner world, with research highlighting that nutritional interventions during childhood can impact the development of the gut microbiota.

Rinninella, E. et al. What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases. Microorganisms 7, 14 (2019).



For example, dietary fibres like GOS act like ‘fertilisers’, helping beneficial bacteria thrive in the gut. These carbohydrates largely pass through the stomach and small intestine without being broken down by digestive enzymes, stimulating the growth of various beneficial microbiota members and producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These compounds offer benefits beyond child gut health, strengthening the gut barrier function while also delivering anti-inflammatory effects.

Feng, C., Jin, C., Liu, K. & Yang, Z. Microbiota-derived short chain fatty acids: Their role and mechanisms in viral infections. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 160, 114414 (2023).

#5 The hidden connection: the potential of the gut-brain axis

Emotions can feel intense and unpredictable for children. Throughout childhood and adolescence, they develop the social and emotional skills that underpin mental well-being, from establishing healthy sleep patterns and coping strategies to problem-solving and managing emotions. Maintaining good mental health is a vital part of this journey, influencing not only learning and cognitive development but also physical, social and emotional well-being well into adulthood.

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D. & Schellinger, K. B. The Impact of enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Dev 82, (2011).

Providing a supportive environment at home, at school and in the wider community is essential, but nutrition and child development are equally intertwined, shaping not only physical health but also emotional well-being. Emerging science points to the gut-brain axis, a two-way communication network between the gut and the brain. This link impacts mood, behaviour and even cognitive performance through mechanisms that are still being explored.

Morais, L. H., Schreiber, H. L. & Mazmanian, S. K. The gut microbiota–brain axis in behaviour and brain disorders. Nature Reviews Microbiology vol. 19 Preprint at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-020-00460-0 (2021).



For brands, this could open the door for new nutritional approaches to mental well-being.

To capture first-mover advantage in this space, GOS can be a powerful ally to target gut health and mental well-being through its bifidogenic effects. In fact, when GOS is fermented by the gut microbiota, the SCFAs formed during the process

Ratsika, A., Codagnone, M. C., O’mahony, S., Stanton, C., & Cryan, J. F. (2021). Priming for life: Early life nutrition and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020423



may have a direct or indirect impact on cognition, brain development and even emotional well-being.

Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). Published online 2020



And scientific evidence confirms this theory. Recent studies suggest that a higher intake of ‘healthy’ foods that provide nutrients, such as dietary fibres, antioxidants and LCPUFAs, may play a role in mental health by supporting brain development directly, as well as through the ‘gut–brain axis’.

Vejrup, K., Hillesund, E. R., Agnihotri, N., Helle, C. & Øverby, N. C. Diet in Early Life Is Related to Child Mental Health and Personality at 8 Years: Findings from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Nutrients 15, (2023)

Why choose FrieslandCampina Ingredients?

Behind every great children’s product is a foundation of science and innovation. At FrieslandCampina Ingredients, our mission is to nourish kids’ next steps in life and help parents make the best choices for younger family members. To do so, we bring decades of expertise and a portfolio designed to step up nutrition across every stage of childhood.

Download the whitepaper to gain deeper insights into nutrition and child development and learn how to fuel the next generations with the right ingredients. Or if you’d like to discuss new opportunities in child nutrition, get in touch with our experts.