Infant Nutrition

Infant Nutrition Checklist for your 0–3 Months Old Baby

This information provides general nutrition recommendations. Talk with a health care provider or a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) if you have any questions.

Feeding

How often to feed your baby

How often your baby feeds will vary. In general:

  • A newborn feeds 8–12 times every 24 hours.
    • Breastfed newborns may eat every 1–3 hours for the first 4 weeks.
    • Formula-fed newborns may eat every 2–3 hours.
    • If it has been 3–4 hours since the last feeding, awaken your newborn for a feeding.
  • A 1-month-old baby feeds every 2–4 hours.
  • A 2-month-old baby feeds every 3–4 hours. At this age, your baby may wait longer between feedings than before. He or she will still wake during the night to feed.

Signs that your baby is hungry

Feed your baby when he or she seems hungry. Signs of hunger include:

  • Hand-to-mouth movements or sucking on hands or fingers.
  • Fussing or crying now and then (intermittent crying).
  • Increased alertness, stretching, or activity.
  • Movement of the head from side to side.
  • Rooting.
  • An increase in sucking sounds, smacking of the lips, cooing, sighing, or squeaking.

Signs that your baby is full

Feed your baby until he or she seems full. Signs that your baby is full include:

  • A gradual decrease in the number of sucks, or no more sucking.
  • Extension or relaxation of his or her body.
  • Falling asleep.
  • Holding a small amount of milk in his or her mouth.
  • Letting go of your breast or the bottle.

General instructions

  • If you are breastfeeding your baby:
    • Avoid using a pacifier during your baby’s first 4–6 weeks after birth. Giving your baby a pacifier in the first 4–6 weeks after birth may interrupt your breastfeeding routine.
  • If you are formula feeding your baby:
    • Always hold your baby during a feeding.
    • Neverlean the bottle against something during feeding.
    • Neverheat your baby’s bottle in the microwave. Formula that is heated in a microwave can burn your baby’s mouth. You may warm up refrigerated formula by placing the bottle in a container of warm water.
    • Throw away any prepared bottles of formula that have been at room temperature for an hour or longer.
  • Babies often swallow air during feeding. This can make your baby fussy. Burp your baby midway through feeding, then again at the end of feeding. If you are breastfeeding, it can help to burp your baby before you start feeding from your second breast.
  • It is common for babies to spit up a small amount after a feeding. It may help to hold your baby so the head is higher than the tummy (upright).
  • Allergies to breast milk or formula may cause your child to have a reaction (such as a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting) after feeding. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about allergies to breast milk or formula.

Nutrition

Breast milk, infant formula, or a combination of both provides all the nutrients that your baby needs for the first several months of life.

Breastfeeding

  • In most cases, feeding breast milk only (exclusive breastfeeding) is recommended for you and your baby for optimal growth, development, and health. Exclusive breastfeeding is when a child receives only breast milk (and no formula) for nutrition. Talk with your lactation consultant or health care provider about your baby’s nutrition needs.
    • It is recommended that you continue exclusive breastfeeding until your child is 6 months old.
    • Talk with your health care provider if exclusive breastfeeding does not work for you. Your health care provider may recommend infant formula or breast milk from other sources.
  • The following are benefits of breastfeeding:
    • Breastfeeding is inexpensive.
    • Breast milk is always available and at the correct temperature.
    • Breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby.
  • If you are breastfeeding:
    • Both you and your baby should receive vitamin D supplements.
    • Eat a well-balanced diet and be aware of what you eat and drink. Things can pass to your baby through your breast milk. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fish that are high in mercury.

If you have a medical condition or take any medicines, ask your health care provider if it is okay to breastfeed.

Formula feeding

If you are formula feeding:

  • Give your baby a vitamin D supplement if he or she drinks less than 32 oz (less than 1,000 mL or 1 L) of formula each day.
  • Iron-fortified formula is recommended.
  • Only use commercially prepared formula. Do notuse homemade formula.
  • Formula can be purchased as a powder, a liquid concentrate, or a ready-to-feed liquid (also called ready-to-use formula). Powdered formula is the most affordable option.
  • If you use powdered formula or liquid concentrate, keep it refrigerated after you mix it.
  • Open containers of ready-to-feed formula should be kept refrigerated, and they may be used for up to 48 hours. After 48 hours, the unused formula should be thrown away.

Elimination

  • Passing stool and passing urine (elimination) can vary and may depend on the type of feeding.
    • If you are breastfeeding, your baby may have several bowel movements (stools) each day while feeding. Some babies pass stool after each feeding.
    • If you are formula feeding, your baby may have one or more stools each day, or your baby may not pass any stools for 1–2 days.
  • Your newborn’s first stools will be sticky, greenish-black, and tar-like (meconium). This is normal. Your newborn’s stools will change as he or she begins to eat.
    • If you are breastfeeding your baby, you can expect the stools to be seedy, soft or mushy, and yellow-brown in color.
    • If you are formula feeding your baby, you can expect the stools to be firmer and grayish-yellow in color.
  • It is normal for your newborn to pass gas loudly and often during the first month.
  • A newborn often grunts, strains, or gets a red face when passing stool, but if the stool is soft, he or she is not constipated. If you are concerned about constipation, contact your health care provider.
  • Both breastfed and formula-fed babies may have bowel movements less often after the first 2–3 weeks of life.
  • Your newborn should pass urine one or more times in the first 24 hours after birth. After that time, he or she should urinate:
    • 2–3 times in the next 24 hours.
    • 4–6 times a day during the next 3–4 days.
    • 6–8 times a day on (and after) day 5.
  • After the first week, it is normal for your newborn to have 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours. The urine should be pale yellow.

Summary

  • Feeding breast milk only (exclusive breastfeeding) is recommended for optimal growth, development, and health of your baby.
  • Breast milk, infant formula, or a combination of both provides all the nutrients that your baby needs for the first several months of life.
  • Feed your baby when he or she shows signs of hunger, and keep feeding until you notice signs that your baby is full.
  • Passing stool and urine (elimination) can vary and may depend on the type of feeding.

Infant Nutrition Checklist for your 4–6 Months Old Baby

Feeding

Introducing new liquids and foods

  • If your health care provider recommends that you start to give soft, mashed solid food (pureed food) to your baby before he or she is 6 months old:
    • Introduce only one new food at a time.
    • Use only single-ingredient foods. Doing this will help you determine if your baby is having an allergic reaction to a certain food.
  • Food allergies may cause your child to have a reaction (such as a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting) after eating or drinking. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about food allergies.
  • Your baby is ready for pureed food when he or she:
    • Is able to sit with minimal support.
    • Has good head control.
    • Is able to turn his or her head away to indicate that he or she is full.
    • Is able to move a small amount of pureed food from the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth without spitting it out.
  • A serving size for babies varies, and it will increase as your baby grows and learns to swallow pureed food. When your baby is first introduced to pureed food, he or she may take only 1–2 spoonfuls. Offer food 2–3 times a day.
  • You may need to introduce a new food 10–15 times before your baby will like it. If your baby seems uninterested or frustrated with food, take a break and try again at a later time.

Things to avoid

  • Do notadd water or pureed foods to your baby’s diet until directed by your health care provider.
  • Do notgive your baby juice until he or she is 12 months of age or older, or until directed by your health care provider.
  • Do notintroduce honey into your baby’s diet until he or she is 12 months of age or older.
  • Do notadd seasoning to your baby’s foods.
  • Do notgive your baby nuts, large pieces of fruits or vegetables, or round, sliced foods. Those types of food may cause your baby to choke.

Do notforce your baby to finish every bite. Respect your baby when he or she is refusing food (as shown by turning his or her head away from the spoon).

Nutrition

Breastfeeding

  • In most cases, feeding breast milk only (exclusive breastfeeding) is recommended for you and your child for optimal growth, development, and health. Exclusive breastfeeding is when a child receives only breast milk (and no formula) for nutrition.
  • If you have a medical condition or take any medicines, ask your health care provider if it is okay to breastfeed.
  • Breast milk, infant formula, or a combination of both can provide all the nutrients that your baby needs for the first several months of life. Talk with your lactation consultant or health care provider about your baby’s nutrition needs.
  • It is recommended that you continue exclusive breastfeeding until your child is 6 months old. Breastfeeding can continue for up to 1 year or more, but children who are 6 months or older may need pureed food along with breast milk to meet their nutritional needs.
  • Talk with your health care provider if exclusive breastfeeding does not work for you. Your health care provider may recommend infant formula or breast milk from other sources.
  • When breastfeeding, vitamin D supplements are recommended for the mother and the baby.
  • If your baby is receiving only breast milk, give your baby an iron supplement. Babies who drink iron-fortified formula do not need a supplement. Iron supplements should be given starting at 4 months of age until iron-rich and zinc-rich foods are introduced.
  • When breastfeeding, make sure you eat a well-balanced diet. Be aware of what you eat and drink. Things can pass to your baby through your breast milk. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fish that are high in mercury.

Other foods

  • If you introduce new foods or mashed foods:
    • Give your baby commercial baby foods (as found in grocery stores) or home-prepared pureed meats, vegetables, and fruits.
    • You may give your baby iron-fortified infant cereal one or two times a day.
  • If you are not breastfeeding your baby, continue to provide iron-fortified formula. Give that formula in addition to home-prepared or pureed meats, vegetables, and fruits (if you have introduced those foods to your child).
  • If your baby drinks less than 32 oz (less than 1,000 mL or 1 L) of formula each day, give him or her a vitamin D supplement.

Elimination

  • Passing stool and passing urine (elimination) can vary and may depend on the type of feeding.
    • If you are breastfeeding, your baby’s bowel movements (stools) should be seedy, soft or mushy, and yellow-brown in color. Your baby may pass stool after each feeding.
    • If you are formula feeding your baby, you can expect stools to be firmer and grayish-yellow in color.
  • It is normal for your baby to have one or more stools each day. It is also normal if your baby does not pass any stools for 1–2 days.
  • Your baby may be constipated if the stool is hard or if he or she has not passed stool for 2–3 days. If you are concerned about constipation, contact your health care provider.
  • Your baby should have a wet diaper 6–8 times each day. The urine should be pale yellow.

Summary

  • Feeding breast milk only (exclusive breastfeeding) is recommended for most children until 6 months of age. Babies who are 6 months or older may need smooth, mashed solid food (pureed food) along with breast milk to meet their nutritional needs.
  • When you start giving pureed food in your baby’s diet, introduce only one new food at a time and use single-ingredient foods.
  • If your baby does not like a food the first time he or she tries it, you may need to wait and then try to introduce it again at another time.
  • Passing stool and passing urine (elimination) can vary and may depend on the type of feeding.

Infant Nutrition Checklist for your 7–12 Months Old Baby

Feeding

  • A serving size for solid foods varies for your child, and it will increase as your child grows. Provide your child with 3 meals and 2 or 3 healthy snacks a day.
  • Feed your child when he or she is hungry, and continue feeding until your child seems full.
  • Do notforce your baby to finish every bite. Respect your baby when he or she is refusing food (as shown by turning away from the spoon).
  • Provide a high chair at table level and engage your baby in social interaction during mealtime.
  • Allow your baby to handle the spoon. Being messy is normal at this age.
  • Do notgive your child nuts, whole grapes, hard candies, popcorn, or chewing gum. Those types of food may cause your child to choke. Cut all foods into small pieces to lower the risk of choking.
  • Avoid distractions (such as the TV) while feeding, especially when you introduce new foods to your child.

Nutrition

Through 12 months of age, your child’s best source of nutrition will be breast milk, formula, or a combination of both along with solid foods.

Breastfeeding and formula feeding

  • If you are breastfeeding, you may continue to do so, but children 6 months or older will need to receive solid food along with breast milk to meet their nutritional needs. Talk to your lactation consultant or health care provider about your child’s nutrition needs.
  • If you are not breastfeeding your child, continue to provide iron-fortified formula with the addition of solid foods.
  • Babies who are breastfeeding or who drink less than 32 oz (less than 1,000 mL or 1 L) of formula each day also require a vitamin D supplement.

Other foods

  • You may feed your child:
    • Commercial baby foods (as found in grocery stores). These may be smooth and mashed (pureed) or have soft, chewable pieces.
    • Home-prepared pureed meats, vegetables, and fruits.
    • Iron-fortified infant cereal. You may give this one or two times a day.
  • Encourage your child to eat vegetables and fruits, and avoid giving your child foods that are high in saturated fat, salt (sodium), or sugar.
  • Do notadd seasoning to your child’s food.

Introducing new liquids

  • Your child receives adequate water content from breast milk or formula. However, if your child is outdoors in the heat, you may give him or her small sips of water.
  • Do notgive your child fruit juice until he or she is 12 months old, or as directed by your health care provider.
  • Do notgive your child whole milk until he or she is older than 12 months.

Introduce your child to using a cup. Bottle use is not recommended after your baby is 12 months of age due to the risk of tooth decay.

Introducing new foods

  • You may introduce your child to foods with more texture than the foods that he or she has been eating, such as:
    • Toast and bagels.
    • Teething biscuits.
    • Small pieces of dry cereal.
    • Noodles.
    • Soft table foods.
  • Check with your health care provider before you introduce any foods or drinks that contain nuts (such as nut butters) or citrus fruit (such as orange juice). Your health care provider may instruct you to wait until your child is at least 12 months old.
  • Do notintroduce honey into your child’s diet until he or she is 12 months of age or older.
  • Food allergies may cause your child to have a reaction (such as a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting) after eating. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about food allergies.

Summary

  • Through 12 months of age, your child’s best source of nutrition will be breast milk, formula, or a combination of both along with solid foods.
  • Generally, your child will eat 3 meals a day and 2 or 3 healthy snacks, but you should feed your child when he or she is hungry and continue until he or she seems full.
  • Your child receives adequate water content from breast milk or formula. However, if your child is outdoors in the heat, you may give him or her small sips of water.
  • Try introducing new foods to your child in addition to breast milk or formula, but be sure to cut all foods into small pieces to lower the risk of choking.
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