Transcript Feeding your Infant

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:
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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 Pediatrics
www.gerber.com describes feeding and food readiness by
phases: newborn, head up, sitter, crawler, beginning to walk
www.cheerios.com click on “First Finger Food” for good
finger food ideas
AAP policy statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
AAP policy statement on Use & Misuse of Fruit juice in Pediatrics
AAP policy statement on Iron-fortification of Infant formulas
ADA FITS (Jan 2004 supplement 1)
Nutrition interventions for CSHCN
WIC Infant Feeding Class, November 2003
http://depts.washington.edu/growing/Feed/Develop.htm
Infant Feeding Guide