Infant Feeding Guidelines
The first year of an infant’s life is his/her most rapid growth period. Nutrition is important for good health and growth. The types of foods your baby needs will change during the first year.
A normal full term baby needs only breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula for about four to six months.
Baby foods fed from a spoon will be added to your baby’s diet when he is able to:
- Sit with support.
- Control head and neck movements.
- Lean forward and open mouth when he is hungry.
- Show he/she is full by leaning back and turning away.
Feeding Tips
- During the first few months, hold your baby when he/she is eating. Do not prop bottles. Propping the bottle promotes tooth decay and ear problems and also may increase the risk of choking.
- Babies cry for many reasons. If your baby has recently eaten, the cries may not be from hunger. Overfeeding may cause obesity and feeding problems.
- If formula is used, mix only enough for one day. Refrigerate and throw away any left over after 24 hours.
- Formula or breast milk provides the healthy baby with enough fluids so that extra water is not needed. Once baby foods have been started, water may be needed during hot weather or if your baby is ill. Do not use well water.
- Continue breast milk or iron-fortified formula until age one year unless your pediatrician advises otherwise. After one year of age, 2% or whole milk may be used. Skim milk should not be used in children under 2 years of age.
- Juice is part of a healthy diet. 100% fruit juice without added sugar is best. Fruit juice should be limited to 4 oz. per day. Avoid sweet drinks such as sodas, Kool-Aid, sweet tea, and Gatorade.
Source: Bright from the Start
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