Feeding the Healthy Infant

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service

Tips for feeding the healthy infant

Feed only breast milk or iron fortified infant formula during the first 6 months of life

If the mother is breastfeeding, breast milk can be pumped into a bottle for later feeding

Prevent tooth decay

Never let the baby sleep with the bottle in their mouth

Only Feed Formula or Breastmilk for the first 4-6 months

Iron-fortified formula and breast milk contain many more nutrient than solid foods

Just compare the labels

Breastfed or formula fed infants usually meet protein and calorie needs easily while infants fed solid too soon may not.

Continue Formula or Breast Milk Until 1 Year of Age

• Do not switch to regular cow’s milk until age one

• Cow’s milk is too low in iron and other nutrients

Vitamin D

Standard infant formulas are supplemented with vitamin D

Infants should have at least 10-15 minutes of sunlight a day to meet the need for vitamin D

Fat

Most infants receive fat from breast milk or formula

No skim or low fat milk until age 2

Feeding positions

Infants should be fed in a semi-upright position

Prevents choking and the ear infection.

More comfortable

Feeding Solids

Infants should sit in an upright position in a high chair while feeding from the spoon.

The person offering the food should sit

in front making eye contact

No solid food in the bottle!

When the healthy infant is ready for solid food

Offer one new food at a time over 2-3 days

Rice cereal rarely causes an allergy.

Offer 1 or 2 meals a day in small portion sizes. Do not feed from the jar.

Signs of Hunger and Fullness

The infant may cry when hungry or reach for food

When full the infant will stop eating and turn away.

Do not force feed!

Some foods infants eat

Rice cereal, pureed fruits and vegetables

Mix plain meat with plain vegetables

Cheerios

Cooked cream of wheat

Never feed an infant

PopcornPeanutsRaisins or grapesUncut stringy meatsHoney

Gum or gummy candyHard candyHot dog piecesHard raw fruit or

vegetables

How much did you Learn?True or False

1. Solid food should be started before 3 months of age so the baby will sleep through the night.

2. Rice cereal rarely causes allergies.

3. Honey is a good thing to add to baby cereal.