Healthy digestion in infants

Abstract

Digestion is the process by which large ingested molecules are mechanically and chemically broken down to produce smaller forms. These can then be absorbed more easily across the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. In infants there is no mechanical breakdown. The molecules that are being digested therefore need to be in a form that can be easily broken down. This happens chemically to allow for easy digestion and decrease abdominal cramps.