Feeding patterns and diet - babies and infants

An age-appropriate diet:

• Gives your child proper nutrition
• Is right for your child's state of development
• Can help prevent childhood obesity

Recommendations

During the first 6 months of life, your baby needs only breast milk or formula for proper nutrition.

• Your baby will digest breast milk more quickly than formula. So, if you breastfeed, your newborn may need to nurse 8 to 12 times per day, or every 2 to 3 hours.
• Be sure you empty your breasts regularly by feeding or using a breast pump. This will prevent them from becoming overly full and achy. It will also allow you to continue producing milk.
• If you feed your baby formula, your baby will eat about 6 to 8 times per day, or every 2 to 4 hours. Start your newborn with 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) at every feeding and gradually increase the feedings.
• Feed your baby when they seem hungry. Signs include smacking lips, making suckling movements, and rooting (moving their head around to find your breast).
• Do not wait until your baby cries to feed them. This means they are very hungry.
• Your baby should not sleep more than 4 hours at night without feeding (4 to 5 hours if you are feeding formula). It is OK to wake them up to feed them.
• If you are breastfeeding exclusively, ask your baby's health care provider if you need to give your baby supplemental vitamin D drops.

You can tell your baby is getting enough to eat if:

• Your baby has several wet or dirty diapers for the first few days.
• Once your milk comes in, your baby should have at least 6 wet diapers and 3 or more dirty diapers a day.
• You can see milk leaking or dripping while nursing.
• Your baby starts to gain weight; about 4 to 5 days after birth.

If you are concerned your baby is not eating enough, talk with your baby's provider.

You should also know:

• Never give honey to your infant. It may contain bacteria that can cause botulism, a rare but serious illness.

  Botulism

  Infant botulism is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. It grows inside a baby's gastrointesti...

   

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• Do not give your baby cow's milk until age 1 year. Babies under age 1 have a difficult time digesting cow's milk.

  Cow's milk

  If your child is under 1 year old, you should not feed your baby cow's milk, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Cow's milk does n...

   

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• Do not feed your baby any solid food until 4 to 6 months old. Your baby will not be able to digest it and may choke.
• Never put your child to bed with a bottle. This can cause tooth decay. If your baby wants to suck, give them a pacifier.

There are several ways you can tell that your infant is ready to eat solid foods:

• Your baby's birth weight has doubled.
• Your baby can control their head and neck movements.
• Your baby can sit up with some support.
• Your baby can show you they are full by turning their head away or by not opening their mouth.
• Your baby begins showing interest in food when others are eating.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your baby's provider if you are concerned because your baby:

• Is not eating enough
• Is eating too much
• Is gaining too much or too little weight
• Has an allergic reaction to food

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