Feeding Your Baby And Toddler
For the first six months of life, your baby needs only breast milk or infant formula to eat. Breastmilk contains a unique mix of fatty acids, lactose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other important factors that combine to make the perfect infant food. It has everything a baby needs for easy digestion, brain development, healthy growth, and protection from illness.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough to eat?
Keep track of your baby’s wet and poopy diapers. Once mom’s milk comes in, the theory of “what-goes-in-one-end-comes-out-the-other” works. If your baby has 4-6 wet disposable diapers (or 6-8 cloth) and 3-4 poopy diapers in 24 hours that usually means they are getting enough breastmilk. Talk to your baby’s health care provider at your office visits about your baby’s growth chart if you are concerned or curious. (See below for online growth chart links.) It is important to remember that as babies get a little older the number of bowel movements per day may decrease. Some breastfed babies have only one bowel movement per week (after about 2 months of age).
How and when do I start my baby on solid foods?
Don’t rush to start solids. They will only upset your baby’s tummy if you give them before your baby is ready to digest them. Breast milk or formula is far more nutritious than any solid you could give your baby. Solid foods aren’t as convenient, anyway! Wait until your baby shows signs that they are ready. Your baby’s health care provider can talk to you about the signs of readiness. Usually babies are ready around six months old, and sometimes a little earlier. Your baby’s first solid food should be an iron-fortified rice cereal. You may hear that solid food will help your baby sleep through the night, but this is a myth.
What do I need to know about feeding my 1-2 year old?
At a year old, formula-fed babies can switch to whole cow’s milk. It is important to use “whole” milk, because children under two years old need fat for brain development. One-year-old breastfed babies will benefit from continuing to nurse, for as long as both mother and baby are happy with the arrangement. Your baby should be joining you at the table for meals, and be learning about mealtime as family time.
