Feeding your Infant

Birth to 1 year of age

The American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends:

• Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first 6 months after birth.

• Continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter as long as mutually desired.

AAP recommends:• Infants who are not breastfed or are partially

breastfed should receive an iron-fortified formula from birth to 12 months.

The first 4-6 months of age your baby only needs:

• Lots of love

• Breastmilk

• Or formula

Your infant may be ready for solids when he can:

• Sit with support• Have good head and neck control• Open mouth & lean forward to show interest• Turn head to indicate he is full• Transfer food to back of tongue to swallow • Begin chewing movements

Starting solids

• It is best to start with single grained cereal, like rice.

• Always feed solid foods from a spoon.

• Wait until at least 6 months to add other foods.

Beyond cereal:

• Add plain pureed fruits and vegetables one at a time.

• Wait 3-5 days between introducing new foods.• Juice should be offered

in a cup only.• Your infant may need a

fluoride supplement.

What cup should my infant use?

• Use a regular cup at home.

• Avoid sippy cups with a small spout.

• Don’t allow your baby to carry sippy cup around.

Your infant may be ready for first finger foods when he can:

• Sit independently and maintain balance• Reach and grasp objects

with a palmar grasp

Your infant may be ready for the addition of smaller, soft finger foods when he can:

• Pick up objects between his thumb and finger

•

Your infant may be ready to transition to soft table foods when he can:

• Use a munching type chewing (up & down, some diagonal)

• Manipulate tongue and food easier

(Caution: Avoid foods which may cause choking)

The addition of protein foods

• Wait to add meats until 8 or 9 months.

• Egg yolks can be given at 9 months.

• Yogurt and cheese can also be introduced.

Once your baby turns one he can:

• Get off the bottle.• Drink whole milk from a cup.• Have eggs, citrus juices,

peanut butter and honey. (if no history of allergies)

• Transition to family foods.

Summary:

• Breastfeeding or formula is recommended for the first full year of life.

• Before beginning solids watch for signs that your infant is ready (usually 5-6 mo.)

• Gradually introduce other foods as your infant seems ready.

• Avoid egg white, citrus, peanut butter & honey until 1 year.

Other Resources:

www.aap.org American Academy of Pediatricswww.gerber.com describes feeding and food readiness by phases: newborn, head up, sitter, crawler, beginning to walkwww.cheerios.com click on “First Finger Food” for good finger food ideas

AAP policy statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human MilkAAP policy statement on Use & Misuse of Fruit juice in PediatricsAAP policy statement on Iron-fortification of Infant formulasADA FITS (Jan 2004 supplement 1)Nutrition interventions for CSHCNWIC Infant Feeding Class, November 2003http://depts.washington.edu/growing/Feed/Develop.htmInfant Feeding Guide