Newborns have tiny tummies and need to feed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed. Watch your baby’s feeding cues. They will tell you when they are hungry and full.
Paced bottle feeding is important so baby can tell you when they are satisfied/full. For more information, ask your WIC Nutritionist or Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
Newborns breastfeed throughout the day and night about 8-12 times in 24 hours.
They are not on a schedule and love to feed often. Whether baby is breastfed or fed expressed breast milk, feed your baby on demand, when they show signs of hunger.
In the first few days, most newborns need 2-3 oz. of formula every 3-4 hours. By the end of the first month, your newborn needs about 4 oz. every 4 hours.
It is OK if your baby does not drink the whole bottle, let them tell you when they are done.
Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.
Nurse your baby on-demand, about 7-9 times in 24 hours.
Babies love to look around at this age. Try a quiet space or darker room to nurse in if your baby is distracted.
Your baby needs about 4-6 oz. of formula every 3-4 hours.
25-45 oz. in 24 hours. Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.
When you start to feed solids, always feed from a bowl with a spoon so your baby learns to eat right.
Never put cereal or other solids in the bottle. Solids in the bottle will not help your baby sleep through the night and may cause choking or other health concerns.
Continue to nurse on-demand, about 4-6 times in 24 hours.
Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.
Try breast milk in a cup.
Your baby needs about 6-8 oz. of formula every 4-5 hours.
24-32 oz. per day. To start the weaning process, begin to offer formula in a cup.
Use breast milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day.
2-4 Tbsp of small pieces of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal.
Finger foods may be added when your baby is ready, around 8 months. When ready, offer twice per day.
4-8 Tbsp per day.
Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.
4-8 Tbsp per day.
Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits.
Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.
2-4 Tbsp per day.
Plain strained, mashed or pureed meats, poultry, egg, fish, or legumes.
May add smooth whole milk yogurt.
Baby’s are naturally curious of new foods. If your baby does not like a new food on the first try, offer it again at a later time.
Baby’s learn about food by smelling, tasting, and touching. It may take 10 times before they will eat it.
Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.
Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.
Your baby needs about 6-8 oz. of formula 3 times per day.
16-24 oz. per day. Continue to offer formula in a cup. Your baby should be off the bottle by 12 months of age.
4-8 Tbsp per day.
Iron-fortified infant cereal.
Bite sized pieces of dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, unsweetened dry cereal, or plain muffins.
Cooked rice and noodles.
8-12 Tbsp per day.
Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.
8-12 Tbsp per day.
Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.
4-8 Tbsp per day.
Finely ground, chopped or diced meats, poultry, egg, fish, or cooked mashed beans.
Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt and feed more often during these times. As they grow, babies can hold more milk so feedings may become further apart and take less time.
To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.
Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond. Breastfed babies need Vitamin D. Talk to your baby’s healthcare provider about starting supplements.
Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:
Offer a variety of grain cereals (oatmeal, barley, and rice) to your baby. There may be arsenic in rice cereal, offering different types is healthy for your baby.
Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.
To help reduce your baby’s risk of allergies talk to their healthcare provider about introducing peanuts, eggs, or other allergenic foods before your baby turns 6 months old.
Babies under one should not have honey, foods with honey, or foods that could cause choking like whole nuts or whole grapes.
Once your baby has started solids, a small amount of water is a great choice to give in a cup at meal times. Your baby should not have juice or sugary drinks before they turn one.
Healthy eating starts from the beginning. Offer a variety of foods from all food groups.
Avoid food and drinks higher in sodium or with added sugars to keep your baby healthy.
All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.
