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Feeding Your Infant

Table of Contents


Overview

Feeding a baby is an important concern for parents. Experts recommend feeding your baby only breast milk for about 6 months. They also support breastfeeding for 2 years or longer.1 But your baby benefits from any amount of time that you breastfeed. Try to breastfeed for as long as it works for you and your baby.

If you are unable to or choose not to breastfeed, feed your baby iron-fortified infant formula. Most babies younger than 6 months of age can get all the nutrition and fluid they need from breast milk or infant formula. But if you are breastfeeding, your baby may also need a vitamin D supplement.

Starting around 6 months of age, your baby needs solid foods along with breast milk or formula. Some babies may be ready for solid foods at 4 or 5 months. Ask your doctor when you can start feeding your baby solid foods. And if a family member has food allergies, ask whether and how to start foods that might cause allergies. Most allergic reactions in children are caused by eggs, milk, wheat, soy, and peanuts.

Weaning is the process of switching your baby from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, or from a breast or bottle to a cup or solid foods. Weaning usually works best when it is done gradually over several weeks, months, or even longer. There is no right or wrong time to wean. It depends on how ready you and your baby are to start.


How can you feed your infant during the first year?

Babies ages 1 month to 5 months

Babies ages 6 months to 12 months

What are signs that your baby has had enough to eat?

Babies give cues during feeding that can help you know when your baby has had enough to eat.


References

Citations

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 125(1): 1–15. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-057988. Accessed July 18, 2022.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 125(1): 1–15. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-057988. Accessed July 18, 2022.

Credits for Feeding Your Infant

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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