Infant Nutrition – Feeding Your Baby Step-by-Step

One of the most common questions I hear from parents of newborns and infants is “how much is my baby supposed to be eating?” A good general answer is to watch how your baby acts after a feeding – babies who need more will continue to fuss and search for more after the bottle is empty or the breast is pulled away. In contrast, babies who are eating too much (yes, it happens!) will spit up almost as soon as they are finished eating. 

This is a general guide for feeding your baby. Don’t worry if your baby eats a little more or a little less than this guide suggests.  Talk to your Pediatrician about your baby’s growth if you are concerned about the amounts your baby is eating. 

Age: 0-4 months 

Breast milk:

• on demand, usually every 2-4 hours
• 5-10 minutes per breast 

Important tips:

• 6-8 wet diapers per day is a good sign of adequate intake.
• Don’t microwave bottles.
• Don’t force your baby to eat

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Age: 4-6 months 

Breast milk:

• 4-6 times per day 

Formula:

• 6-8oz, 4-6 times per day

Baby cereal:

• 1-2 tbsp mixed with liquid formula or expressed breast milk, 1-2 times per day 

Important tips:

• Don’t prop bottles. 
• Use a pacifier to comfort.
• If your baby is taking over 32 oz per day, start cereals.
• Don’t put cereal in the bottle. Always use a spoon for baby foods.

*A note about starting on baby foods: It is recommended that breast fed infants are exclusively breast fed until 6 months. However, if your baby starts to give you cues that he or she may be ready to start on solids you can do so between 5-6 months. Start with infant cereal (I recommend oatmeal) or single-ingredient, completely pureed foods. Increase the variety of foods slowly – no more than one new food per day at first. Keep in mind that the breastmilk or formula is still the main part of your baby’s diet.

*A note about allergenic foods: It is recommended that infants be exposed to allergenic foods such as peanut butter and egg prior to 1y of age. This has been shown to prevent development of allergies to these foods. Start by mixing a small amount of peanut butter or cooked egg into your baby’s cereal. It is best to do this in the daytime so you can watch for any reactions. If there is a history of severe allergy to foods in your immediate family (parent or sibling of baby) check with your doctor before offering these foods. 

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Age: 6-8 months 

Breast milk:

• 3-5 times per day

Formula:

• 6-8 oz, 3-5 times per day

Baby cereal:

• 2-4 tbsp mixed with liquid formula or expressed breast milk, 1-2 times per day

Fruits and Veggies (pureed):

• 2-3 tbsp, 2-4 times per day 

Important tips:

• Give breast milk or formula before giving solids.
• Don’t heat food in the microwave.
• Keep solids refrigerated after opening.
• Start one food or veggie at a time. No chunky foods (stick with purees).

*A note about baby-led weaning. This is a feeding style that has grown in popularity over the past several years and parents often will ask if it is recommended. Baby-led weaning involves skipping the pureed food stage and starting directly on regular soft table foods. In my experience, many infants less than 9-10 months of age do not tolerate chunky or textured foods well, and tend to gag on them. Additionally, there are concerns about choking with chunky foods. If you choose to use baby-led weaning, please wait until your baby is able to sit well without much support. In addition, be sure that the table foods you give are soft, can be easily gummed into a mushy consistency, and monitor your baby closely while feeding. 

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Age: 8-12 months 

Breast milk:

• 3-4 times per day 

Formula:

• 6-8 oz, 3-4 times per day 

Grains (cereal, crackers, bread):

• 1-2 times per day 

Fruits and Veggies:

• 3-4 times per day 

Meats:

• 1-2 times per day

Dairy (yogurt, cottage cheese):

• 3-4 times per day 

Important tips:

• Introduce a sippy cup. 
• Don’t introduce cow’s milk yet
• Don’t give bottles to help your baby fall asleep.
• Start soft finger foods – nothing that has to be chewed before it can be swallowed.

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Follow your baby’s cues on feeding. Don’t automatically nurse your baby or reach for the bottle if he or she is fussy but has recently been fed, as this can lead to overfeeding and weight gain that is too rapid. Instead, try other methods of soothing and interacting with your baby. Your baby’s Pediatrician will show you growth curves at each well child visit that will demonstrate weight gain over time. 

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