Feeding Your Infant

About this topic

Feeding based on age will give your baby a diet needed to stay healthy and help the body grow. A good diet will give the right amount of nutrients that your growing baby needs. ‚

General

Breast milk is the best type of feeding for your baby. During the first 6 months of life, your baby only needs breast milk or baby formula as the source of nutritional needs. Breast milk has all the nutrients your baby needs to grow. It also has antibodies that will help protect your baby from germs. Your child will be less likely to have an upset belly. Your breastfed baby may feed 8 to 12 times a day. This will cut down to 4 to 6 times a day at about 6 months of age. Breastfeeding for at least 6 months is suggested. ‚
Baby formula is food for babies when mothers do not breastfeed. These formulas may not give the same nutrition to your baby as found in breast milk, but they are very close. A formula-fed baby may drink 18 to 32 ounces each day in the first 3 months. After the 3rd month, the baby may need 25 to 40 ounces each day. This will cut down to 24 to 32 ounces each day when your baby gets to 6 months of age. ‚
6 to 8 Months ‚
At 6 to 8 months, your baby starts to grow and double in weight. During this time, your baby will start to show interest in food other than milk. You can start giving solid foods to your baby. ‚
Tips for starting solids: ‚

Baby cereal is a safe start. Start with 2 to 4 tablespoons of rice cereal with breast milk, formula, or water added to it. Feed this to your baby twice a day. This will get your baby used to solid food.
As your baby gets used to rice cereal, you may start other plain boxed baby cereals.
During this stage, it is OK to start giving your baby crackers and dry unsweetened cereals.
Add one new food at a time. Wait at least 5 days until you try the next new food. This will help you pinpoint if your child has a food allergy.
Have your baby sit up to eat. Use a high chair. If your baby is still learning to sit upright, try placing your baby on your lap. Let your child touch and play with the food.
Use a soft-tipped plastic spoon when feeding your baby. Give your baby a half of a teaspoon of food.
You can also give water to your baby. This may help avoid hard stools. Give your baby 2 to 4 ounces of water twice a day. Make sure that the water is safe and purified.

9 to 12 Months: ‚
By 9 to 12 months, your baby is familiar with solid foods and their texture. Here are some tips on what and how to feed your 9 to 12 month old baby: ‚

Breast milk or infant formula will still be your babys main food. Other solid foods will give your baby nutrients not found in milk.
By 9 months, you should be feeding your baby cereals, pureed fruits and veggies, as well as breast milk or formula.
Your baby should be eating at least 10 varieties of food. Your baby should know the taste of many kinds of food.
By 10 months, your baby should be familiar with finger foods like small pieces of rolls, muffins, unsweetened dry cereal, well cooked bite-sized meat, beans, egg yolk, and mild cheese.
At 12 months, you can give your baby whole milk instead of baby formula. Whole milk helps develop the brain.
Feed your child using a spoon. Your baby needs to learn how to eat from a spoon.
By 12 months old, help your baby give up drinking from a bottle. Let your baby drink milk from a sippy cup.

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What foods should be limited or avoided?

Foods to stay away from in the first 12 months: ‚

Honey
Cows milk
Bacon, hot dogs, lunch meat
Sweetened drinks like soda or any other items with corn syrup
Candy, chocolate, cake, or pie
Artificially flavored foods and drinks
Coffee or tea
Spices, seasonings, or extra salt and fat

Do not feed your baby these types of foods due to risk of choking: ‚

Large cuts of food
Raw veggies
Gum
Hard candy
Hot dog slices
Marshmallows
Popcorn, nuts, seeds, chips, pretzels, cheese curls
Raisins or other dried fruit
Whole grapes or berries
Peanut butter
Whole beans

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of food allergy. These are rashes, swollen lips, loose stools, and trouble breathing.
Signs of choking. These are trouble breathing, pale skin, and bluish color of the lips.

Helpful tips

Helpful tips for 0 to 12 months: ‚

Use your babys bottle for breast milk, infant formula, or water only.
Do not give your baby soda, kool-aid ‚ ®, or any drinks with added sugar. Give 2 to 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice with vitamin C a day instead.
Do not let your child sleep while feeding on a bottle. This may cause tooth decay.
When buying jar food, choose plain veggies, fruits, and meats.
Stay with your child while they eat, just in case choking happens.
Do not force your baby to eat.
Give lots of time for food to cool down if the food is hot.
Talk to your doctor and dentist to make sure your baby is getting lots of fluoride from water. This will help keep your child's teeth healthy.
This is a good time to start your baby on healthy food habits.
Eating as a family may help your baby learn the importance of meal time.

Where can I learn more?

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ‚
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=8044 ‚
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=8049 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/feednewborn.html ‚
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq029.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120522T0634402158 ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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