Feeding
Birth to 4 months
Behavior:
Early signs of huger are hands to the mouth, sucking on fists and fingers, and lip smacking. Fussing and crying come soon after.
Food:
Breast milk or formula ONLY
Quantity:
Newborns eat every two or three hours
Ask your doctor about vitamin D supplements
4 to 6 months
Behavior:
Is your baby ready for solid foods? What to look for. Sitting upright in a highchair, close mouth around a spoon, and shows significant weight gain. Is your baby leaning forward and opening his or her mouth while watching you eat? If so they are probably ready to try some simple pureed foods.
Food:
Breast milk or formula PLUS
baby cereal
pureed vegetables and fruits that contain no sugar or salt
Quantity:
Mix 1 tablespoon of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 tablespoons of breast milk or formula. Don't serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day after a bottle- or breast-feeding. Start by serving one or two teaspoons. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid and gradually increase the serving sizes.
Important nutrients:
Iron and zinc are important nutrients in the second half of your baby's first year
Tips:
If your baby rejects their first servings of pureed foods it's probably because the taste and texture is new. If your baby refuses the feeding, don't force it. Try again in a week
6 to 9 months
Behavior:
Is your .
Food:
Breast milk or formula PLUS
oat grain cereal like Cheerios
pureed fruits banana, pears, applesauce, peaches, avocado
pureed vegetables well-cooked carrots, squash, sweet potato
avoid nuts, raisins and other choking hazards
Quantity:
6 to 8 oz per of breast milk or formula per feeding
limit juice to 4 to 6 oz
Important nutrients:
Iron and r
Tips:
Introduce one food at a time with at least 3 days between new foods. Look for signs of an allergy. Offer finger foods around 8 mon.