FEEDING GUIDELINES AGES 4 TO 6 MONTHS FEEDING GUIDELINES AGES 4 TO 6 MONTHSSTARTING SOLIDS: FULL-TERM INFANTS Solids are begun at 4-6 months of age. Most infants are ready by age 4 months, but some parents choose to wait until age 6 months. Although some experts recommend starting solids at age 6 months for all infants, there is controversy as to the validity of claims that starting solids earlier causes increased incidence of allergies or other health problems. Again, most infants are ready and interested in solids by age 4 months. Only in rare circumstances are solids such as cereals begun earlier than 4 months. Please call our office to discuss this if you feel that your infant should start solids earlier than 4 months. STARTING SOLIDS: PREMATURE INFANTS Infants who are very premature (Less than 35 weeks) may not be ready for solids at age 4 months and may be more ready at 5 or 6 months of age depending on their degree of prematurity and other circumstances. We will normally discuss this with you at the well child routine visits. PROCESS OF STARTING SOLIDS AND FEEDING PRACTICES DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE:1. Begin with rice cereal on days 1,2 and 3, offering it twice daily at breakfast and dinnertime. Rice cereal can be mixed with water or milk (breast or formula) to make a thin oatmeal like consistency. The infant should be offered a rubberized spoon. During these first three days, offer 3-4 tablespoons at a time but be flexible. Some infants will be very hungry and want more- that's OK. Offer as much as the infant wants until he/she loses interest or spits the food out or pushes the spoon away. Parents should learn to use the infant's own cues of hunger and satiety to guide the amount of food that is offered. Never force feed a stubborn infant; just wait for the next mealtime. If the infant only wants 2 tablespoons- that's OK too.2. Add a single fruit on days 4,5, and 6. Continue twice a day feeds. The fruit can be mixed in with the cereal in one big bowl of mush and offered that way or given separately. Offer 2-4 ounces at each sitting. (Again, some infants will take more and some will take less, some may not want any-that's OK too,). Common starter fruits include apple sauce, pears, bananas, and peaches. Prunes are especially helpful for constipated infants.3. On day 7, add a single vegetable and change to three meals a day. Some of the popular starter vegetables include carrots, peas, squash, green beans, and sweet potatoes. One popular feeding schedule at this time is cereal and fruit for breakfast, fruit and vegetable for lunch, and fruit and vegetable again for dinner. Notice that we usually drop cereal down to once per day at this time. Some parents may elect to continue to offer cereal twice a day at either lunch, dinner, or bedtime "snack", but we prefer to emphasize fruits and vegetables.4. Every 3 days, add a new food - alternate between fruits and vegetables so the infant learns to appreciate the tastes of both right from the start. You can offer multiple foods on any given day, but only offer one new food every 3 days. This helps to identify a food allergy or intolerance by not offering two new foods at the same time.5. STAGED FOOD JARS- What To Do? With this schedule, it takes roughly 3-4 weeks to work through all the common starter fruits and vegetables. Therefore, at 3-4 weeks after starting solids, you can move from single stage 1 food jars to stage 2 jars of fruits and vegetables, mixed fruits, mixed vegetables or mixed cereal with fruit jars. Usually, the only difference between stage 1 and 2 is that the jars are bigger, the consistency is a little thicker and there are combination items. Stage 2 jars remains pureed and easy for infants to handle with the rubberized spoon by age 5-6 months . Animal foods like meats and chicken are usually begun at 6-7 months of age. Stage 3 jars are also deferred until after 6 months of age.6. How Much To Feed? We prefer parents to use the infant's hunger cues as a guide to how much to feed, since the infant's appetite will vary from meal to meal. A rough estimate is as follows: Age 4 mon-offer 2-4 total ounces per feed, Age 5 mon-offer 4-8 ounces total per meal, Age 6 mon-offer 6-12 ounces total per meal.7. Remember To Be Flexible! Don't get caught up in rigid feeding practices. Mealtimes may change once in a while and the infant may not be hungry from time to time. A good method is to start with a vegetable at a meal, then when the infant gets bored of the vegetable, move on to some fruit. On the other hand, if he is enjoying the vegetable and eats 6 ounces, he/she may not be interested in the fruit, so then you can start at the next meal by offering a fruit first.8. How do I Schedule Milk Feedings and Solids Throughout the Day? Breast milk or formula intake remains quite high even after solids are begun. We prefer to offer the breast milk or formula either roughly 1 hour before the solid meal or 1 hour after the solid meal so the infant's stomach has time to empty. This means that you might be spending a lot more time feeding your infant. Again, be flexible and create a schedule that works best for you. Here is an example of a typical schedule: Early AM (6-7AM): Milk feeding Breakfast (8-9 AM): Solids Mid-Morning (10-11 AM): Milk feeding Lunch (12-1 PM): Solids Early Afternoon (1-2 PM): Milk Feeding (optional)Late Afternoon (4-5 PM): Milk Feeding Dinner (6-7 PM): Solids Evening (9-10 PM): Milk Feeding The above schedule provides for 4-5 milk feedings and 3 solid feedings per day all between 6 AM and 10 PM. Notice the optional early afternoon milk feeding allows for 5 milk feedings per day. Some infants may do well with milk and solid feedings right after one another which may allow for more of a time break between feeding times. By 4 months of age, parents should stop middle of the night milk feedings and encourage the infant to sleep a good 8 hours without any food or drink. Good Luck!9. Are There Any Brand Preferences? We do not have strong brand preferences for infant foods. We prefer brands that have the least amount of preservatives and additives, including salt or sugar. The major brands are usually fine. Frozen infant solids are probably better since the food is preserved better, but there is the inconvenience of thawing the food before feeding time. Beware that microwaves may cause the food to be very hot in some places and not in others. Many parents make their own infant pureed solids by storing portions in ice cube trays for individual servings.10. What About Juices? Try to avoid juices for both infants and older children. The reason is that juices contain mostly sugar and water, but lack the quality aspects of the fruit such as complex carbohydrate, active vitamins, antioxidants and fiber that can be obtained only by eating the whole fruit. Also, the vitamin quality in juice may be less active due to processing when compared to eating the fresh whole fruit.11. When Are Other Cereals Started, Such As Barley Or Oatmeal? We usually begin first with rice cereal because it is very well tolerated, mixes well with other foods, and has very minimal adverse effects. After going through all the single ingredient fruits and vegetables (usually by 3-4 weeks of starting solids), then you can offer the infant oatmeal cereals followed by barley and wheat cereals. Remember to add only one new food every 3 days. Some infants may get constipated on rice cereal and may do better with oatmeal cereal earlier on.12. What About Water And Flouride Needs? Infants do not need additional water prior to 4 months of age. After 4 months, it is OK to offer infants water once in a while but it does not need to be a regular item. Infants can drink faucet water starting at age 2 to 3 months if your water supply is clean and reliable. Generally, if it is good enough for adults to drink, it should be good enough for infants after age 2 to 3 months. Most infants will get flouride in their drinking water once they begin taking water if your water is flouridated. Even if your infant is not getting much water to drink or your water is not flouridated, we do not recommend flouride supplements prior to age 6 months. If you do not have flouride in your water supply, please discuss possible flouride supplementation with us at the 6 month routine exam.13. What Feeding Practices Are Recommended After Age 6 Months? Excellent question. Please see our feeding guideline handout for infants age 6 to 12 months! ! 
Feeding and Breastfeeding Your 8 to 12 Month Old Babies Breastfeeding As Baby Grows Feeding and Breastfeeding Your 8 to 12 Month Old Sample meal plan and guidelines for the addition of new foods By Donna Murray, RN, BSN | Reviewed by Meredith Shur, MDUpdated April 09, 2018Share Pin Email Print Article Table of Contents Exclusive Breastfeeding Breast Milk Needs Feeding Frequency Sample Feeding Schedule Weaning Adding New Foods Challenges Back To Top Anna Pekunova / Getty Images By the time your baby is 8 months old, she should be eating cereal, fruits, and vegetables. She may even be learning to grab finger foods and drink from a cup. Between the ages of 8 and 12 months, it's common for babies to have three meals a day plus a few snacks. But, it's also really important that breast milk (or infant formula if you're not breastfeeding or using breast milk) continue to be a regular part of the daily diet. Exclusive Breastfeeding After the first 4 to 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the continuation of breastfeeding along with the addition of complementary foods for a year or longer. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding continues for two years or longer. These recommendations are in place because breastfeeding continues to provide many health and developmental benefits to children well after six months of age. Breastfeeding is all your child needs for the first four to six months. But, after six months your breast milk will not be enough to provide your baby with all the nutrition that she needs as she grows. Your child needs additional foods that contain vital nutrients such as iron, protein, and zinc. While breast milk is still important and continues to be beneficial after six months, it needs to be part of a more complete diet. Exclusively breastfeeding for eight months or longer can cause a child to become dangerously malnourished. Plus, waiting to introduce solid foods can make the transition more difficult, and a child may end up breastfeeding constantly to try to get the calories and nutrition that he's lacking. But, by gradually adding new foods to your baby's diet starting between four and six months, you will be putting your child on the right track to eating a variety of healthy foods and snacks by the time she's 8 months old. Breast Milk Needs Between 8 months and one year of age, your baby needs 750 to 900 calories a day. Half of that—about 450 of those calories—should come from breast milk. That equals approximately 24 ounces (720 ml) of breast milk each day. Your child can get what she needs by continuing to breastfeed or taking breast milk in a bottle throughout the day. Feeding Frequency When your child is between 8 and 12 months old, you can breastfeed in the morning, before naps, after snacks and meals, and at bedtime. It's also still OK to breastfeed your child for comfort when she's scared, upset, or hurt. At snack time and meal time, you'll want to give solid foods first and then breastfeed after. This way your child will hopefully eat at least some of the food. If you breastfeed first, your little one may fill up on breast milk and be less interested in eating the solids that you're offering. Sample Feeding Schedule Here's a sample feeding and breastfeeding schedule for an 8 to 12-month-old: Wake Up Breastfeed or four to six ounces (120-180 m Ls) of breast milk in a cup or bottle Morning Meal Two ounces (60 ml) of cereal Two ounces of fruit Breastfeed or four to six ounces of breast milk Mid-Morning Snack Two ounces of fruit or vegetables Finger foods Offer water in a sippy cup Afternoon Meal Two ounces of yogurt, meat, or cheese Two ounces of vegetables Breastfeed or four to six ounces of breast milk Mid-Afternoon Snack Two ounces of fruit or vegetables Finger foods Water in a sippy cup Evening Meal Two ounces of protein, such as chicken or meat Two ounces of vegetables Two ounces of fruit Two ounces of starch, such as pasta, rice, or potatoes Four to six ounces of breast milk At Bedtime Breastfeed or six to eight ounces of breast milk Weaning It's ultimately up to you to decide when you want to stop breastfeeding. You can choose to breastfeed well beyond a year, or you can wean from the breast but still pump breast milk for your child. You could also decide to switch over to infant formula, or some other combination of any or all of your options. As long as your baby is getting the nutrition that she needs, you can pick the feeding method and schedule that works the best for you, your child, and your family. Adding New Foods As your child grows, she'll be trying new and different foods. Here are some tips and recommendations for the addition of new foods. Give your child small, frequent feedings. Infants have little bellies, so it's best to feed them small amounts of food throughout the day. Don’t force your child to eat. Babies tend to be inconsistent about eating. One day they will eat finger foods and pureed foods willingly, but the next day they may refuse any solid food and opt for the breast or a bottle instead. Offer a variety of safe finger foods. Finger foods make great snacks. By eight months, your baby can use her thumb and forefinger to pick up small pieces of food. Encourage self-feeding by providing different finger foods for your baby to try such as cheerios, small pieces of bread, or cut-up cooked chicken, vegetables or pasta. But, even with foods that are safe for infants and toddlers, you should always stay close and watch for signs of choking. Give the spoon a try. Begin using a spoon to feed your baby and help him to feed himself. At first, he's more likely to play with the spoon or throw it. He'll eventually use it to eat, but it may not be until after he is a year old. Use a sippy cup. At this age, many infants can begin to hold and practice drinking water, breast milk, or infant formula from a sippy cup. Introduce foods with different textures. Your baby can now chew, so you can start to add foods that have different textures. Cut-up table foods and soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, jello, and eggs, are good choices. Start new foods slowly. Continue to introduce new foods one at a time every few days. Watch for signs of a food allergy, which can include a rash, diarrhea, gassiness, spitting up and vomiting. Keep an eye out for constipation. Cereal and bananas are popular foods that babies eat at this age, but they can lead to constipation. If your child starts to have difficulty with bowel movements, try adding prunes or other fruits and limit some of the more binding foods for a while. Challenges As your child grows, the world around her becomes more exciting. It's easier for her to become distracted and less interested in breastfeeding. So, sometimes at 8, 9, or 10 months of age, a baby may begin to refuse the breast or seem as though she's self-weaning. Some moms take this as a sign to fully wean since it seems like a more natural time for an easier transition. But, if you aren't ready to wean, you can often get through this stage and continue to breastfeed. A Word From Verywell It's still beneficial for both you and your baby to continue breastfeeding between 8 and 12 months. However, breast milk alone is not enough. As your child grows, she needs a complete diet, so it's important to provide healthy snacks and meals along with your breast milk. Keep in mind that children at this age don't necessarily eat consistently. Every child is different and while some 8-month-olds eat solids well and easily follow a feeding schedule such as the one above, others will take longer to get used to eating snacks plus three meals a day. You may find that one day your baby takes solids without a problem and the next he only wants to breastfeed. Just try to be patient and keep offering both solids and the breast. And don't worry—you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Your child's doctor will guide you and advise you about what your child should be eating and when to try it. So, keep those regularly scheduled well-baby appointments to be sure that your child is getting what she needs to grow healthy and strong. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics. Your Baby’s First Year Third Edition. Bantam Books. New York. 2010. Eidelman AI, Schanler RJ, Johnston M, Landers S, Noble L, Szucs K, Viehmann L. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2012 Mar 1;129 (3):e827-41. Lawrence, Ruth A., MD, Lawrence, Robert M., MD. Breastfeeding A Guide For The Medical Profession Seventh Edition. Mosby. 2015. Riordan, J., and Wambach, K. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Fourth Edition. Jones and Bartlett Learning. 2014.  Breastfeeding Frequency Breastfeeding Frequency How Often to Breastfeed? Length of Each Feeding Is My Baby Getting Enough? When to Call a Lactation Consultant When a Baby is Unable to Breastfeed Breastfeeding Twins or Triplets Frequency How Often to Breastfeed? Newborn babies want to feed on demand, which is usually every 1 to 3 hours per 24 hours (8-12 times in 24 hours) for the first two to four weeks. While breastfeeding, be cautious of well-meaning family and friends who encourage less frequent feedings. Watch your baby for feeding cues (increased alertness or activity, mouthing, rooting, sucking, etc.). If your baby does not show feeding cues in three hours during the day, attempt to wake him/her up. Breastfed babies feed more than bottle-fed babies because breast milk is more easily digested. You should feed your baby throughout the day and night. For sleepy babies, your health care provider may request that you wake your baby every three hours for feedings until your baby has regained his/her birth weight. Pacifiers should not be given to lengthen the time between feedings. Watch for feeding cues (examples listed above). Crying is a late sign of hunger and makes breastfeeding much more difficult. Back to top Duration Length of Each Feeding Whenever possible, offer both breasts during each breastfeeding. Begin the next feeding with the breast with which you finished. During the newborn period, most breastfeeding sessions will take from 20 to 45 minutes. However, because newborn babies are often sleepy, this length of time may require patience and persistence. Feed on the first side until your baby stops suckling, their hands are no longer fisted and you are unable to hear any swallows. When these occur, break the suction, burp the baby, and go to the next side. Continue to feed your baby until he/she stops the feeding at the second breast. Have your baby nurse from both breasts for approximately 20 to 30 minutes of suckling to establish your milk supply and allow for adequate nutrition. Watch for long, slow sucks with swallows by the baby. Back to top Is My Baby Getting Enough? You will know your baby is getting enough breast milk if: Your newborn has frequent bowel movements. Typically, the stools are loose and change from black to brown to mustard-yellow in color in the FIRST FIVE DAYSBreastfed babies vary in stool patterns but typically, by their third day of life, they will have at least two to three in 24 hours. At five days old, most breastfed babies have at least four yellow, seedy stools per day. Older babies vary; some stool every day, while other babies will only stool every few days. There are also wet diaper patterns.day 1 = one wet diaperday 2 = 2 wet diapersday 3 = 3 wet diapers, and so onday 6 and older = 6 to 8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. (After your milk increases, the urine will soak the diaper. )Other signs that your baby is getting enough breast milk: Your baby's urine is pale in color. You can hear your baby swallowing the milk. Your baby is calm and relaxed after eating. Your baby is gaining weight. Many babies may lose up to 10 percent of their birth weight during their first days of life. Babies are born with reserves and usually regain the weight by two weeks of age. However, frequent around-the-clock feedings will help prevent a significant drop in weight. Breastfed babies need to be fed on demand approximately every 1 to 3 hours per 24 hours (8-12 times in 24 hours). Newborns should not be allowed to sleep for more than 3-4 hours, unless at night. Wake your baby and offer a feeding at least every 3-4 hours, until your baby regains his/her birth weight. Your breasts feel softer after feeding. Many breastfeeding mothers have found that keeping a diary is very helpful in deciding if their baby is receiving enough milk. Back to top When to Call a Lactation Consultant A Lactation Consultant will be of great help to you for these types of events or feelings: By day 4, if you do not feel your milk has increased. For treatment of sore nipples. Concern about your baby's output (urine and stools). If your baby is not feeding 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. If your baby is sleeping on the breast, not suckling well, and seems hungry each time you take him/her off. Ineffective positioning, latch-on and engorgement. Breastfeeding challenges, i.e., twins, premature infants, babies with a slow weight gain, and women who have had breast surgery. Advice for the working mother regarding how to continue breastfeeding after returning to work and help with planning a daily routine. Advice on the most appropriate nursing bras and clothing items which allow for comfortable breastfeeding. Contact or visit Newborn Connections for a lactation consultant or help selecting a nursing bra. Back to top When a Baby is Unable to Breastfeed Occasionally situations occur in which your baby will not be able to breastfeed for a while. Hospital grade electric breast pumps that provide the needed "suckling" stimulus for your milk production are readily available. At first, you may be able to only express a few drops of milk. This is very common, particularly if this is your first baby. Begin double pumping as soon as possible and continue pumping on a regular basis (every 1-3 hours or 8 times in 24 hours for 10-15 minutes), and gradually your milk supply will increase. Do not worry about how much milk you are pumping; when you are able to breastfeed your baby your milk production will be more efficient. Back to top Breastfeeding Twins or Triplets Caring for more than one baby is a challenge that will require a lot of time, energy and patience. Breastfeeding can be an economical and convenient way to feed your babies, once you ease into the routine. Your milk supply will be abundant as long as the babies are nursing frequently. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand process. The greater the demand, the greater the supply. Support groups, such as Mothers of Multiples, are very helpful with tips and techniques for nursing your babies. Back to top  Infant and toddler health Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy Lifestyle Infant and toddler health Basics In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New Products and services Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Sign up now Should I wake my newborn for feedings? Answers from Elizabeth La Fleur, R. N. Whether you should wake a sleeping newborn for feedings depends on the baby's age, weight and overall health. Most newborns lose weight in the first few days after birth. Until your newborn regains this lost weight — usually within one week after birth — it's important to feed him or her frequently. This might mean occasionally waking your baby for a feeding, especially if he or she sleeps for a stretch of more than four hours. Once your newborn establishes a pattern of weight gain and reaches the birth-weight milestone, however, it's generally OK to wait for feedings until he or she wakes up. Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. While waking up a sleeping baby might seem like a bad idea, frequent feedings early on are important for a couple of reasons: Crying is a late sign of hunger. The sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby. Look for early signs of hunger, such as stirring, restlessness, sucking motions and lip movements. Frequent feedings support early breast-feeding. If you breast-feed, frequent feedings will help you establish your milk supply. Babies also are more likely to nurse repeatedly in a short period of time (cluster feed) if they have gone longer stretches between feedings. Keep in mind that premature babies often have special nutritional needs. They also might not reliably show signs of hunger until they are older. If your baby was born prematurely or you're concerned about your baby's feeding patterns or weight gain, consult his or her doctor for specific recommendations. With Elizabeth La Fleur, R. N. Low milk supply Organic baby food April 28, 2015References See more Expert Answers Products and Services Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Year See also Bathing your newborn Baby poop: What's normal? Baby sling Baby sunscreen Baby's head shape: What's normal? Breast-feeding and medications Signs of successful breast-feeding Show More Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Marketplace Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. FREE TRIAL – Mayo Clinic Health Letter Stop Osteoporosis in Its Tracks Improve Your Hearing and Balance Best Treatment Strategies for Arthritis The Mayo Clinic Diet Online Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Healthy Lifestyle Symptoms A-Z Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-ZDrugs and Supplements A-Z Appointments Patient and Visitor Guide Billing and Insurance Patient Online Services  . Listenen español¿Cuándo puede comenzar a comer alimentos sólidos mi bebé? A friend of mine just started giving her 3-month-old applesauce and rice cereal. My son is just 2 weeks younger than hers, and I am wondering if I should be introducing solids soon, too. When should I start? – Taylor The best time to introduce solid foods is when your baby has developed the skills needed to eat. If you are breastfeeding, doctors recommend waiting until your son is 6 months old. But he might be ready for solids sooner than that. How will you know? To eat, babies need good head and neck control and should be able to sit up in a high chair, which usually doesn't happen until they're 4 to 6 months old. Also, if you try to feed your son solids before this age, you may notice that he pushes food out of his mouth just as quickly as you put it in. Babies start to lose this natural tongue-thrusting reflex at the 4- to 6-month mark, which makes it easier for them to start eating solid foods. Other signs that babies are ready to eat solids foods:they're interested in foods (for example, they may watch others eat, reach for food, and open their mouths when food approaches)they have the oral motor skills needed to move food to the throat and swallow itthey usually weigh twice their birth weight, or close to it Wait until your baby is at least 4 months old and shows these readiness signs before introducing solids. Babies who start solid foods before 4 months are at a higher risk of becoming obese. When the time is right, start with a single-grain, iron-fortified cereal for babies (rice cereal has traditionally been the first food for babies, but you can start with any you prefer). Start with one or two tablespoons of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula to achieve the right consistency. Feed your baby with a small baby spoon. Never add cereal to a baby's bottle unless your doctor instructs you to do so. As an alternative, you could give an iron-rich pureed meat. At this stage, solids should be fed after a nursing or formula-feeding session, not before. That way, your baby fills up on breast milk or formula, which should still be your baby's main source of nutrients until age 1. Once your baby has gets the hang of eating cereal, introduce a variety of pureed fruits, vegetables, and meats. Wait a few days between introducing a new food to make sure your baby doesn't have an allergic reaction. It may take several tries before your son starts to enjoy a new food, so don't give up after the first or second attempt if he doesn't seem to like it. Fruit juices are not recommended for babies. There is no benefit to offering juice, even to older babies. Juice can fill them up (leaving little room for more nutritious foods), promote obesity, cause diarrhea, and even put a baby at an increased risk for cavities when teeth start coming in. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MDDate reviewed: May 2015  Who knew it was possible, and even easy, to make homemade baby cereal? Who knew it was possible, and even easy, to make homemade baby cereal? Easy, fresh & nutritious homemade baby cereal recipes – your baby will love it!Leave the pasty boxed stuff behind and make these tasty Homemade Baby Cereal Recipes for your baby. There’s nothing as healthy or as wholesome and fresh as homemade baby cereals made from whole grains. While the recommended age for starting solid foods is generally 6 months of age, many babies start solids between 4 and 6 months of age. These recipes are appropriate for this age range. Did you know that baby’s first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Many pediatric resources are acknowledging the fact that avocado, banana and sweet potato make great first foods for baby. Dr. Frank Greer, from the Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics recently noted in an interview that “Rice cereal has traditionally been the first complementary food given to American infants, but “Complementary foods introduced to infants should be based on their nutrient requirements and the nutrient density of foods, not on traditional practices that have no scientific basis.”“Rice cereal is a less than perfect choice for the first complementary food given to infants. Rice cereal is low in protein and high in carbohydrates. It is often mixed with varying amounts of breast milk or formula. Although most brands of formula now have added iron, zinc, and vitamins, iron is poorly absorbed—only about 7.8% of intake is incorporated into red blood cells.” – Read Rice Cereal Can Wait to learn about the new thinking from the AAP.“For most babies it does not matter what the first solid foods are. By tradition, single-grain cereals are usually introduced first. However, there is no medical evidence that introducing solid foods in any particular order has an advantage for your baby.” Source: 09/2008 – Starting Solid Foods (Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics)Always use brown rice when making homemade cereals, it’s just more nutritious!What type of Rice do I use for Homemade Baby Rice Cereals? The type of brown rice that you would want to use for cereals would ideally be a short-grain brown rice. Short-grain rice cooks up more soft than does long or medium grain rice. The only caveat is that it may become sticky and “pasty” when pureed so keep an watch over the rice when cooking and pureeing/blending it. You may use a blend of any type of rice that you like; ensure that it is whole grain however. Brown jasmine rice and plain brown rice make a nice blend for cereals as do basmati and plain brown rice. If you find that your baby does not like this blend, then consider switching to the plain brown rice type until the palate has become used to solid foods Whisk Whisk Whisk … For less clumping and more smoothness. Rice Cereal using “powder” for babies 4 to 6 months +Ingredients:1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor) 1 cup water Directions:1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly. 2. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired 3. Serve warm. Rice Cereal with whole rice for babies 4 to 6 months +Ingredients:1/2 c. rice (brown rice, basmati or jasmine) 1 cup water Directions:1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice and stir. 2. Simmer for 20 minutes or according to package directions; stir 1/2 way through cooking time. 3. When rice is finished and a bit cool, add it in 1/2 cup measurements with liquid of your choice (breastmilk, formula, water etc.) and puree as needed. Keep a watch as you puree so that the rice does not turn into paste! 4. Serve warm mixed with fruits, veggies and liquid of your choice. May be frozen but upon thawing, may turn a bit rubbery. Oatmeal Cereal for babies 4 to 6 months +Ingredients:1/4 cup of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor 3/4 cup – 1 cup water Directions:1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the oatmeal powder while stirring constantly. 2. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly until cooked. 3. Mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired and serve warm. Barley Cereal for babies 4 to 6 months +for babies 6 to 8 months +Ingredients:1/4 cup ground barley (barley ground in blender or food processor) 1 cup water Directions:1. Bring liquid to a boil. Add the barley and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly 2. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice and add fruits if desired 3. Serve warm Many of our Visitors have suggested that using 2 cups of water per 1/4 cup “cereal powder” has worked well to create a really liquid cereal. Do I Need to Cook the Rice “Powder” Before I Serve it? You need to cook the rice-oatmeal-barley powder prior to serving because when you make your own cereal (s) you are taking a whole grain and grinding it into a powder. This powder should be cooked because the grains were not cooked prior to your processing them into a powder. This powder would not be easily digested if left in its “raw” state. Why Doesn’t Commercial Baby Cereal Need to be Cooked? The reason that you don’t “cook” commercial baby cereal is that commercial baby cereal is precooked and then dehydrated. Commercial baby cereal is most often made from grain that has been processed and then milled into a flour. You notice this difference when you dump out some “flakes” of commercial cereal (s) and also when you mix up some commercial cereal and find a thin pasty substance in the bowl. Can Homemade Baby Cereal be Stored in the Refrigerator? Homemade Baby Cereal may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours maximum. As with thawing frozen homemade baby cereal, you may find the texture changes. Simply warm the baby cereal and then add liquid of your choice, as needed, to reconstitute to a texture your baby prefers. Can Homemade Baby Cereals be Frozen? Yes, you may freeze homemade cereal. You would use the ice cube tray method (or whatever method of freezing you currently use) as you would for other baby food purees. It tends to be easier to grind and then store the uncooked grains and simply cook a day’s worth as you go. It often happens that when you thaw the cereal, it becomes rubbery and does not reconstitute well. We do hear from parentswho have great luck in freezing cereal. You may want to try freezing a few portions and see how it works for you. Storing Grains You Have Ground for Homemade Baby Cereal: Grains that you have ground should be stored in an airtight container in a dry area of your cupboard or in the refrigerator. Whole grains may be stored for several months in a cool dry place. If the temperature becomes extremely warm in your home, you may wish to store the grains in the refrigerator. Milled whole grains, such as rice flour, whole wheat flour, oat flour and the like, should be stored in an air tight container and preferably in your refrigerator. You can store them in a cool dry place however ensure that you check on the status of the grains if you use them infrequently. Since these are whole grain flours, the natural oils that come from the grain may become rancid without refrigeration. When purchasing any type of milled whole grain, it’s always best to buy smaller quantities to ensure that your whole grains are used prior to them going rancid. The same “rules” apply for rice powder or oat powder, barley powder etc. that you have ground (milled) for your homemade baby cereal. You should store it in an air tight container, in a cool dry place but preferably in the refrigerator if your home is warm. For More Information About Homemade Baby Cereal, Visit Our Homemade Baby Cereal FAQ or individual grain pages found below: Grains for Cereals | Rice Oatmeal Barley Buckwheat/Kasha Kamut Millet Pasta Quinoa Baked Apple Cereal for babies 6 to 8 months +Ingredients:1 apple (macintosh, gala, braeburn) 1/4 cup ground oats 3/4 cup of water Directions:1. Peel, core and cut a small apple into small dices 2. Place in a pan with 1/4 c ground oats and 3/4 c water 3. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Simmer covered, checking frequently, until apples are soft and oatmeal is cooked. 4. Be sure to stir and mash while cooking 5. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice to thin if needed – puree if necessary (sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the cereal if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon). Mixed Grain Cereals and More for babies 6 to 8 months +30 Minute Cream of Grain Cereal Ingredients:1/4 c. freshly ground brown rice or millet with honey or molasses cinnamon (leave out honey for under 1yr and molasses is optional.) pure vanilla extract 1 c. almond milk, sweetened – use plain water for infants.. 1/4 c. raisins (optional)Directions:1. Put almond milk or water, ground grain and raisins in a pot. 2. Bring just to the boiling point, stirring constantly, until the grain flour has absorbed the liquid. 3. Turn off the heat and cover the pot. 4. Put the pot over a double boiler on a low simmer for 20-30 minutes. (or simply turn burner down to low and simmer)Optional: Add sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, blueberries, peaches and/or nut milk (consult your pediatrician about the use of nut milk prior to using it.). From: http://www.keats.com/news/w96meal.html Oatie Banana Cereal for babies 8 to 10 months Ingredients:1/4 cup oatmeal (rolled or ground) 1/2 cup water or milk 1/3 ripe banana 1/4 cup milk (formula may be used here)Directions:1. Combine oatmeal and 1/2 cup of water or milk. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid is mostly absorbed. 2. Remove from heat and cover; let stand for 5 minutes. 3. Mash banana, and add remaining milk or formula, mixing thoroughly. Stir the banana-milk mixture into the cooked cereal. Rice Breakfast Pudding for babies 6 to 8 months +Ingredients:1/2 cup (Brown/or Jasmine) Rice (grind to barley size – don’t grind if serving to a Toddler ) 2 cups water 1/4 cup apples sliced into small dices or slivers 1/4 cup raisins (optional) 1/8 cup brown sugar (optional) 2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ginger Directions:1. Combine all of the above ingredients in a medium saucepan. 2. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until rice is soft, fragrant and a bit soupy 3. Stir 1/8 cup milk into the rice, keep on heat for 10 more minutes. Keep a close watch to ensure that the consistency remains soupy but not pasty. 4. Stir frequently to stop sticking to the pot and add more milk or water if necessary. 5. Serve warm then transfer remaining portion to the fridge. Pastina and Bananas for babies 8 to 10 months Ingredients:2 tablespoons Prince Pastina (little tiny star shaped pastas – **wheat based) 1 whole fresh banana Directions: Prepare pastina as directed for hot cereal. Do not add milk. Stir in banana and serve. Add formula or breast milk as desired (1 serving)**A few sources do say to not introduce wheat until after 1, 2 or even 3 years old. The majorities of sources however indicate and agree that wheat may be introduced around the age of 8-9 months old. It is best to wait to introduce wheat until you are certain that your infant has no reactions to rice, oats or barley. Consult your baby’s pediatrician. Visit Wheat for Your Baby topic to learn more about Wheat, Gluten and Babies Visit our Brown Rice Recipes page to find more recipes using rice!SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON PINTEREST  . Listenen español La alimentación y el recién nacido How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you make for your child. These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what's right for you and your baby. Breast or Bottle? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months. Following the introduction of solid foods, breastfeeding should continue through the first year of life and even beyond, if desired. But breastfeeding isn't possible or preferable for all new moms. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle feed a baby is usually based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding and her lifestyle. In some cases, breastfeeding may not be recommended for a mom and her baby. If you have any questions about whether to breastfeed or formula feed, talk to your pediatrician. Remember, your baby's nutritional and emotional needs will be met whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed. About Breastfeeding Breastfeeding your newborn has many advantages. Perhaps most important, breast milk is the perfect food for a baby's digestive system. It has the nutrients that a newborn needs, and all of its components — lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat — are easily digested. Commercial formulas try to imitate breast milk, and come close, but cannot match its exact composition. Also, breast milk has antibodies that help protect babies from many infectious illnesses, including diarrhea and respiratory infections. Studies suggest that breastfed babies are less likely to develop medical problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies. Breastfeeding also may decrease the chances that a child will become overweight or obese. Breastfeeding is great for moms too. It burns calories, so nursing moms get back in shape quicker. Breastfeeding also may protect mom from breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Some moms find breastfeeding easier and quicker than formula feeding — it needs no preparation and you don't run out of breast milk in the middle of the night. Also, breastfeeding costs little. Nursing mothers do need to eat more and may want to buy nursing bras and pads, a breast pump, or other equipment. But these expenses are generally less than the cost of formula. Breastfeeding meets a variety of emotional needs for both moms and babies — the skin-to-skin contact can enhance the emotional connection, and providing complete nourishment can help a new mother feel confident in her ability to care for her newborn. Limitations of Breastfeeding With all the good things known about breastfeeding, why doesn't every mother choose to breastfeed? Breastfeeding requires a big commitment from a mother. Some new moms feel tied down by the demands of a nursing newborn. Because breast milk is easily digested, breastfed babies tend to eat more often than babies who are fed formula. This means mom may find herself in demand as often as every 2 or 3 hours in the first few weeks. This can be tiring, but it's not long before babies feed less frequently and sleep longer at night. Some new mothers need to get back to work outside the home or separate from their babies from time to time for other reasons. Some of these moms opt for formula feeding so other caregivers can give the baby a bottle. Mothers who want to continue breastfeeding can use a breast pump to collect breast milk to be given in a bottle so their babies still get its benefits even when mom isn't available to breastfeed. Other family members (dads most of all) may want to share in feeding the baby. When mom is breastfeeding, dad or siblings may want to stay close by. Helping mom get comfortable, or providing a burp cloth when needed, will let them be part of the experience. When breastfeeding is established, other family members can help out by giving the baby pumped breast milk in a bottle when mom needs a break. Sometimes a woman may feel embarrassed or worried about breastfeeding. These feelings usually disappear once a successful breastfeeding process is set. It's often helpful to seek advice from those who've gone through the experience. Most hospitals and birthing centers can provide in-depth instruction on breastfeeding techniques to new mothers. Your pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or nurse can answer questions or put you in touch with a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding support group. In some cases, a mother's health may affect her ability to breastfeed. For example, mothers undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and moms who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) should not breastfeed. If you have a medical condition or take any medicines regularly, or if you or your baby gets sick, talk with your doctor about whether it's OK to breastfeed. If you have to stop nursing temporarily, continue to pump breast milk to maintain milk production. In some situations, it may not possible to breastfeed, such as when a baby is sick or born prematurely. Mothers should talk with their baby's doctor about expressing and storing milk. Even if the infant cannot breastfeed, breast milk may be given via a feeding tube or bottle. Sometimes mothers who have inverted nipples may have trouble breastfeeding, but with the help of a lactation consultant this usually can be overcome. Likewise, women who have had plastic surgery on their breasts should be able to successfully breastfeed. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns. Avoid using pacifiers or bottles until breastfeeding is established, usually after the first month of life. Introducing them before breastfeeding might cause "nipple confusion," and can lead to an infant giving up the breast. About Formula Feeding Commercially prepared infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. Bottle feeding can offer more freedom and flexibility for moms, and it makes it easier to know how much the baby is getting. Because babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, a baby who is getting formula may need fewer feedings than one who breastfeeds. Formula feeding also can make it easier to feed the baby in public, and lets the father and other family members help feed the baby, which can enhance bonding. Limitations of Formula Feeding Just as breastfeeding has its unique demands, so does bottle feeding. Bottle feeding requires organization and preparation, especially if you want to take your baby out. Also, formula can be pretty expensive. It's important to make sure that you have enough formula on hand, and bottles that are clean and ready to be used. Here are a few guidelines for formula feeding: Carefully follow directions on the label when preparing formula. Bottles left out of the refrigerator longer than 1 hour and any formula left in the bottle that a baby doesn't finish should be discarded. Prepared bottles of formula should be stored in the refrigerator up to 24 hours and can be carefully warmed just before feeding. You don't have to warm formula, but most babies prefer it. A bottle of formula can be warmed by holding it in running warm water or setting it in a pan of warm water. A bottle of formula (or breast milk) should never be warmed in a microwave. The bottle can heat unevenly and leave "hot spots" that can burn a baby's mouth. How Often Do Newborns Eat? Your newborn will nurse about 8 to 12 times per day during the first weeks of life. In the beginning, mothers may want to try nursing 10–15 minutes on each breast, then adjust the time as necessary. Breastfeeding should be on demand (when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1–3 hours. As newborns get older, they'll nurse less often and have longer stretches between feedings. Newborn babies who are getting formula will likely take about 2–3 ounces every 2–4 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 4–5 hours without feeding. Signs that babies are hungry include:moving their heads from side to sideopening their mouthssticking out their tonguesplacing their hands and fists to their mouthspuckering their lips as if to sucknuzzling again their mothers' breastscrying A feeding schedule is not necessary; you and your baby will eventually establish your routine. Babies know (and will let their parents know) when they're hungry and when they've had enough. Watch for signs that your baby is full (slowing down, spitting out the bottle or unlatching from breast, closing the mouth, turning away from the breast or bottle) and stop the feeding when these signs appear. As babies grow, they begin to eat more at each feeding and can go longer between feedings. There may be other times when your infant seems hungrier than usual. Continue to nurse or feed on demand. Nursing mothers need not worry — breastfeeding stimulates milk production and your supply of breast milk will adjust to your baby's demand for it. Is My Newborn Getting Enough to Eat? New moms often worry about whether their babies are getting enough to eat. It's important for all infants to be seen by their pediatrician 48 to 72 hours after a mother and newborn leave the hospital. During this visit, the baby will be weighed and examined, and feeding questions and concerns can be addressed. You can be assured that your baby is getting enough to eat if he or she seems satisfied, produces about six to eight wet diapers a day, has regular bowel movements, sleeps well, is alert when awake, and is gaining weight. A baby who is fussing, crying, seems hungry, and does not appear satisfied after feeding may not be getting enough to eat. If you're concerned that your baby isn't getting enough to eat, call your doctor. Many infants "spit up" a small amount after eating or during burping, but a baby should not vomit after feeding. Vomiting after every feeding might be a sign of an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical attention. If you have concerns that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor. Should Newborns Get Nutritional Supplements? Breast milk has the right combination of vitamins and easily absorbed iron for newborns. A healthy infant being nursed by a healthy mother does not need any additional vitamins or nutritional supplements, with the exception of vitamin D. The AAP recommends that all breastfed babies begin getting vitamin D supplements within the first few days of life, continuing until they get enough vitamin D-fortified formula or milk (after 1 year of age). Iron-fortified formula contains the right blend of vitamins and minerals for a baby, so supplements usually aren't necessary. Infants drinking less than 1 liter, or about a quart, of formula a day may need a vitamin D supplement. Water, juice, and other foods usually aren't necessary during a baby's first 6 months. Breast milk or formula provides everything babies need nutritionally until they start eating solid foods. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about feeding your newborn. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MDDate reviewed: January 2018  Solid Feeding Basics Home / Baby / Solids & Finger Foods Solid Feeding Basics Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby Introducing solids: 11 common questions The 10 best foods for babies, from blueberries to lentils Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby Introducing solids: 11 common questions123AT A GLANCEYou can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months of age if your baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the necessary nourishment. Our age-by-age guide to feeding your baby offers a handy list of what and how much to feed your child in the first year. Also, don't miss the new rules for feeding your baby. You'll find out the latest thinking on food allergies, why it's a good idea to add spices and seasonings to your baby's meals, and how to raise an adventurous eater. Articles (28)Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby Introducing solids Finger foods for your baby Sippy cup do's and don'ts Load more Videos & slideshows (9)1:055 tips to develop healthy eating habits0:567 signs your baby is ready for solid foods0:51How to introduce new foods to your baby1:30Baby-led weaning: Signs your baby is ready Load more Expert answers (6)How and when can I introduce foods with more than one ingredient? Answered by The Baby Center Editorial Team Do I need to introduce solid foods to my baby in a certain order? Answered by The Baby Center Editorial Team Does my baby need to take vitamins? Answered by Bridget Swinney, nutritionist When a child starts solids, how much breast milk does he need in a 24-hour period? Answered by Jan Barger, lactation consultant Load more Tools & quizzes QUIZReady to start solids?advertisementadvertisement  Feeding your newborn: Tips for new parents Feeding your newborn: Tips for new parents A newborn's feeding schedule can be unpredictable. Here's what, when and how to feed your baby. By Mayo Clinic Staff Feeding a newborn is a round-the-clock commitment. It's also an opportunity to begin forming a bond with the newest member of your family. Consider these tips for feeding a newborn.1. Stick with breast milk or formula Breast milk is the ideal food for babies — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding isn't possible, use infant formula. Healthy newborns don't need water, juice or other fluids.2. Feed your newborn on demand Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. Look for early signs of hunger, such as stirring and stretching, sucking motions and lip movements. Fussing and crying are later cues. The sooner you begin each feeding, the less likely you'll need to soothe a frantic baby. When your baby stops sucking, closes his or her mouth, or turns away from the nipple or bottle, he or she might be full — or simply taking a break. Try burping your baby or waiting a minute before offering your breast or the bottle again. As your baby gets older, he or she will take in more milk in less time at each feeding.3. Consider vitamin D supplements Ask your baby's doctor about vitamin D supplements for the baby, especially if you're breast-feeding. Breast milk might not provide enough vitamin D, which helps your baby absorb calcium and phosphorus — nutrients necessary for strong bones. Next Share Tweet April 17, 2015See more In-depth Products and Services Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Year See also Bathing your newborn Baby poop: What's normal? Baby sling Baby sunscreen Baby's head shape: What's normal? Breast-feeding and medications Signs of successful breast-feeding Show More  Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby - Topic Overview Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby - Topic Overview Articles On Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby Topic Overview Related Information References Credits Breast milk or formula is the only food babies need for the first 6 months of life, at which point solid foods can be gradually introduced. Ideally, your baby will be fed only breast milk until 6 months of age. 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. He or she will want to be certain that your baby is physically and developmentally ready. And although breastfed babies get the best possible nutrition, they will probably need certain vitamin or nutritional supplements to maintain or improve their health. Breastfed babies need 400 IU of vitamin D each day from a supplement. Formula-fed babies may also need a vitamin D supplement, depending on how much formula they drink each day. Talk with your doctor about how much and what sources of vitamin D are right for your baby. After 4 months of age, your baby will probably not get enough iron from breast milk alone. Your doctor may prescribe a liquid iron supplement until your baby gets enough iron from iron-fortified formulas or foods high in iron. Breastfed babies born prematurely may be prescribed a liquid iron supplement by 1 month of age. Your baby may be ready to start eating solid foods if he or she: Continue Reading Belowyou might like Is 6 months old. Demonstrates a curiosity about solid foods and your family's eating behavior. Has started to transition from using the sucking reflex to swallowing and does not push a spoon or other object out with the tongue when it is placed in the mouth. Can sit with support. Has good head and neck control. When you and your doctor have determined your baby is ready to start eating solid foods, keep these general guidelines in mind. Typically, iron-fortified, single-grain infant cereal is offered first. Then pureed or mashed fruits, vegetables, and meats are offered. The order in which foods are introduced is not critical. But only add one new food at a time, and wait a few days before you add the next new food. Do not add cereal to bottles. Instead, spoon-feed your baby a mixture of cereal and breast milk or formula, gradually making the mixture thicker. Be sure to include foods rich in vitamin C, which helps your baby absorb iron. 1Feed your baby a small amount-about 1 tsp (5 m L) to 2 tsp (10 m L) -of a new type of food for a few days along with foods he or she has already been eating. Observe your baby before introducing another new food. This is especially important if any family members have food allergies or other allergies. 2 This strategy helps you quickly identify a food that may be causing a reaction, such as a rash, vomiting, or diarrhea. Eggs, milk, wheat, soy, and peanuts cause most of the allergic reactions in children. Make sure foods are strained or mashed and that there are no pieces that could cause your baby to choke. Begin offering finger foods when your baby has started eating solid foods well. Examples include dry cereal, crunchy toast, well-cooked noodles, small pieces of chicken, scrambled eggs, and small chunks of banana. Do not feed your baby directly from the food jar. Instead, put some of the food onto a small dish. That way, germs from your baby's mouth won't get into the jar and spoil the food that is left in the jar. When you first start, don't choose foods with mixed textures, such as broth with vegetables. These kinds of meals are the hardest for a baby to eat.1 2 View All Next In Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby Related Information  Is it OK to Give My Baby Cereal in a Bottle? Just Mommies Babies / Feeding Baby Is it OK to Give My Baby Cereal in a Bottle? By Just Mommies staff Giving your baby cereal in a bottle is one of those issues that reveals a big divide between the experts who recommend against it and the moms who swear by it. On the one hand, the experts point to a host of reasons why it is not good for your baby. On the other hand, your cousin, your friend, and some of your online buddies swear that it helped their infants sleep through the night. Why is there such a massive gulf between the experts and the anecdotes, and who do you believe? According to the theory, if you mix a little bit of rice cereal in with an infant’s formula for the last feeding of the night, the baby will sleep longer because her tummy is fuller. And according to some moms, the cereal is what helps their babies sleep longer. However, at least one study has shown that cereal does not make a difference in babies’ ability to sleep through the night. Additionally, there are potential long-term disadvantages that may outweigh any short-term change in sleeping habits that may come from giving cereal in a bottle to your infant. So before you cut a larger hole in the baby’s bottle nipple, consider the following: Breastmilk or formula meets all of your baby’s nutritional needs: Until your baby is about four months old, he or she will get all of the nutrition he or she needs from breastmilk or formula. If you add rice cereal to the mix, you will fill him up without giving him the same amount of nutrition, because your breastmilk or formula packs a nutritional punch, while the rice cereal adds mostly carbohydrates. Also take note: If your baby is fussy or not sleeping, and yet he is getting the full recommended amount of breastmilk or formula, he is probably fussy for a reason other than hunger. There are risks to starting solid food too early: Experts recommend that parents hold off on giving their children solid food until they are at least four months old, preferably six months old. The reasons for this recommendation include: one, babies are equipped with reflexes to push solid food out of their mouth before four months old; two, babies who do not have head control may choke on solid food; and three, introducing solid food early may make them more susceptible to food allergies. So there’s certainly no rush to get an average, healthy baby started on rice cereal before four months. Your baby is born with a signal that he or she is full: If your baby is drinking cereal from a bottle, she will be taking in many more calories than usual before her tummy will tell her (based on the volume of food she has consumed) that it is full. If your child loses the ability to register when she is truly full, it may cause obesity problems for her later in life. Babies naturally wake at night: It is normal for babies to wake at night to feed and to nuzzle with their parents. Their tummies are small and only designed to hold a small amount of food at a time, and their little bodies are not able to go without food as long as an adult can. As your baby gets bigger, he will sleep for longer and longer stretches. There are some situations for which a pediatrician may recommend giving cereal in a bottle – specifically, for extreme cases of acid reflux. But in general if you have an otherwise healthy baby, there is no convincing reason to add rice cereal to the bottle, and in some cases it may even be harmful to your baby. So save the rice cereal for when you and your baby can enjoy his first feeding – in a highchair, with a spoon. View More Comments  Breastfeeding Problem Solving Guide Breastfeeding Problem Solving Guide The following recommendations are general guidelines. If, after trying some of these suggestions, you find that you are still having problems, call a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider. If your baby is gaining weight, then your milk supply is fine. If your baby is having at least six to eight wet diapers and frequent stools per 24 hour day, he/she is getting enough milk. Burp your baby whenever suckling slows down. This will encourage him/her to wake up and complete the feeding on the other breast. My baby wants to nurse all the time. It seems as if my milk does not hold him for four hours. Is this normal? After 10 to 15 minutes of nursing, he cries as though he is still hungry. Is he getting enough? When I give him a bottle after a feeding, he takes one to two ounces and finally goes to sleep. Isn't he getting enough milk from me? When I try to squeeze milk from my breasts and when I first start pumping, I get very little milk - does this mean I don't have enough milk? I've been giving a bottle and breastfeeding and now my baby fusses at the breast and doesn't want it. What's wrong? My nipples are sore all the way through the feeding. What can I do? Why are my nipples sore only when the baby first latches-on? I'm feeding less often to give my nipples a rest. Is this going to create a problem? Should I wash my breasts before each nursing? No one in my family has ever had enough milk; is it hereditary? Why doesn't my 3-week old baby sleep through the night? He was doing fine, but all of a sudden he started nursing all the time. Is something wrong? I am going back to work. Does that mean I need to wean? Other Breastfeeding Resources My baby wants to nurse all the time. It seems as if my milk does not hold him for four hours. Is this normal? Human milk (as compared to formula) is digested quickly. Normal time between feedings is 1-1/2 to 3 hours. Your baby may also need burping; if burped, he can drink more milk. Back to top After 10 to 15 minutes of nursing, he cries as though he is still hungry. Is he getting enough? Although babies get most of the milk in the first 10 to 15 minutes, some take 15 to 45 minutes to finish nursing on both breasts depending on the strength of their suck. Let your baby nurse longer on both breasts (until asleep or quits) as he gets the "hind-milk" at the end of the feeding which helps induce sleep and provides the most calories. Try to listen for swallows during the feeding as an indicator that your baby is still actively nursing. Back to top When I give him a bottle after a feeding, he takes one to two ounces and finally goes to sleep. Isn't he getting enough milk from me? Are you offering both breasts at each feeding? Are you nursing for fewer than 10 minutes per breast? Using both breasts stimulates a second and third let-down and creates more volume for your baby to drink. Your baby's primary motivation is to suck and is not always out of hunger. He will usually suck if a nipple is put in his mouth. Use both breasts at each feeding. Consider switching the baby back to the first breast when the baby is done nursing on the second breast. Give longer feedings at the breast until he falls asleep. Feed more frequently. Drink adequate fluids, eat a healthy diet and get enough rest. Avoid bottle supplementation. This will decrease your milk supply as your baby will not nurse as often. A baby will usually take from a bottle after nursing, as you eat dessert, even though you may be full. Therefore, just because your baby takes the bottle doesn't mean he is still hungry. Contact a lactation consultant or your physician if these steps do not increase your milk supply within 48-72 hours. Back to top When I try to squeeze milk from my breasts and when I first start pumping, I get very little milk - does this mean I don't have enough milk? Hand expression and pumping are learned techniques and not as efficient as your baby's suck. What you obtain when you first start pumping or hand expression does not necessarily reflect your milk supply. Hand expression and pumping take practice. Take a shower or apply warm, wet cloths to your breasts for 10 minutes before hand expressing. Massage your breast down and out toward your nipple while expressing and pumping your milk. Use a high-quality breast pump. Back to top I've been giving a bottle and breastfeeding and now my baby fusses at the breast and doesn't want it. What's wrong? Bottle nipples allow milk to flow faster with less effort by your baby, and your baby may prefer the easier way. In addition, by giving bottles, you may have diminished your milk supply. Discontinue the bottle and increase the number of times you breastfeed to re-establish your milk supply. Eliminate the use of all artificial nipples such as pacifiers. Your baby should suckle better with time. Be patient. Back to top My nipples are sore all the way through the feeding. What can I do? Nipple-chewing caused by improper positioning of the baby can cause nipple pain for the duration of the feeding. Reposition your baby. Make sure your baby is facing your breast, with his/her tummy facing your tummy with the initial latch-on. Bring your baby close to you very quickly before their mouth closes. Be certain you are holding your breast behind the areola. Wait for your baby to open his/her mouth wide, then quickly pull him in close. If the pain continues, remove your baby from your breast and reposition. Consult a lactation consultant or your physician for support and advice. Back to top Why are my nipples sore only when the baby first latches-on? Is your baby grabbing the nipple and using it to work himself into proper position on the breast? Be certain the baby has his/her mouth wide open with the initial latch-on. Position your baby so that your nipple is pointing down during latch-on. This situation will spontaneously resolve itself as your baby learnes he receives more milk in the proper position. Back to top I'm feeding less often to give my nipples a rest. Is this going to create a problem? Your baby may become so hungry that he grabs the breast and sucks more vigorously causing more nipple soreness. Your breasts may become engorged, making it more difficult for your baby to latch-on properly. Return to your normal schedule of feeding about every 1 to 3 hours per 24 hours (8-12 times per 24 hours). Sore nipples are usually caused by improper latch-on. Be sure you break the suction when removing your baby from your breast. Make an appointment with a lactation specialist or your physician to determine why your nipples are sore. Back to top Should I wash my breasts before each nursing? No, a daily shower is adequate, but avoid using soap on your breasts. Always wash your hands before feeding or expressing your milk, whether by hand or with a breast pump. Back to top No one in my family has ever had enough milk; is it hereditary? Very few women truly do not have enough milk. Family members may have had dietary deficiencies, misinformation and/or lack of support. You can be the first to succeed!Get plenty of rest and nurse your baby on demand. Refer to the "How long should each feeding take?" section regarding increasing your milk supply. Back to top Why doesn't my 3-week old baby sleep through the night? This is an unrealistic expectation for a newborn. Most babies do not sleep a six-hour stretch until they are at least six to eight weeks old. This is normal. Try to nap when the baby naps during the day. Back to top He was doing fine, but all of a sudden he started nursing all the time. Is something wrong? Growth spurts occur typically at seven to 10 days, three weeks, six weeks and 12 weeks, increasing your baby's appetite. His frequent suckling increases your milk supply to meet his new needs. The increase in nursing will typically last three to five days. He/she will return to a reasonable schedule. Try to rest and drink liquids. Back to top I am going back to work. Does that mean I need to wean? No! Working mothers have many options. New battery-operated and electric breast pumps allow for fast and efficient breast milk expression. Many mothers continue to breastfeed after returning to work. Refer to the section on expressing milk, milk storage and transport guidelines. For more information consider attending class before you return to work. Another helpful source for suggestions about breastfeeding and returning to work is the book, Nursing Mother, Working Mother by Gale Pryor. Back to top Other Breastfeeding Resources From Healthwise Knowledgebase Breastfeeding - An Overview Breast Feeding - Common Concerns Making the Decision to Breastfeed Routine Checkups When to Call the Doctor Activity, Rest and Breastfeeding Other Places to Get Help Back to top  Feeding Your Baby Feeding Your Baby Breastfeeding Breastfeeding during the first week Breastfeeding during the first week is different from breastfeeding the second week and beyond. During her first week of life, you may be surprised by how often your baby wants to eat. This is normal. These frequent feedings are intense and may feel overwhelming to you; however, the hard work in the first week will reward you and your baby in the weeks that follow by creating a large milk supply. Your baby will be satisfied, gain weight, and most likely cry less. Also, your baby will be able to gradually space feedings further apart and begin to sleep longer. How often your baby should eat Babies need to eat 8 to 12 times a day to gain weight and grow. However, this doesn't mean they feed exactly every 3 hours. At birth, a baby's tummy is very small. It holds only 1 to 2 teaspoons. A baby will often want several feedings close together before she is satisfied and sleeps. This is called cluster feeding. Some babies may eat for 45 to 60 minutes several times in a row with only a brief rest in between and then finally sleep for up to 3 hours. Other babies may eat for 10 to 15 minutes, but feed every 30 to 40 minutes around the clock. Cluster feeding is normal but most intense during the first week. As a group, babies tend to eat most frequently between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. This is why it is important to nap during the day when your baby naps. Feeding cues: knowing when your baby is hungry During the first week, your baby's tummy slowly stretches and is able to hold a larger volume. At the same time, your milk will come in and provide your baby with more food at each feeding. Feed your baby whenever you see early feeding cues, such as opening her mouth and turning her head side to side as she looks for food, or sucking on her hands. Try not to wait until your baby is crying to feed her. Crying is the very last sign your baby has to tell you she is hungry. A crying baby is less patient at learning how to latch on to the breast and this may cause the feedings to be more stressful for you and your baby. An average feeding lasts about 20 to 40 minutes with some pauses. The baby's jaw should move well enough to wiggle her ears during the feeding. After the first few days, you will be able to hear swallowing. Leave the baby on the first breast until it is empty, or until your baby lets you know that she is done by coming away from the breast or falling asleep. The milk the baby gets at the end of the feeding contains the fat that your baby needs to grow. It also helps the baby to feel full and satisfied with the feeding. When the baby has finished at the first side, offer the other breast and let your baby finish her feeding on this side. Most babies will feed on both breasts at each feeding. At the next feeding, start with the breast you finished with at the previous feeding so you're not starting every feeding on the same breast. Bottle Feeding Feed your baby small amounts. Usually 1/2 ounce (2 to 3 teaspoons) per feeding is enough on the first day. Your baby will gradually want to take a little more each day. Babies know how much food they need and usually do not overeat. This may be about 1/2 ounce more each day at each feeding, up to 3 ounces where your baby will likely be satisfied for a few weeks. Your baby should eat at least 8 times a day, about every 3 hours. She may have one longer stretch between feedings per day of up to 5 hours. Burp your baby after each 1/2 ounce for the first few weeks. If your baby is spitting up a large amount of her feeding, she may be overeating, need more burping, or need to eat more slowly. A small amount of spit-up is normal. Use only expressed breast milk or commercial cow's milk formula. Do not switch to any other type, such as soy formula, unless your baby's doctor recommends it. If your baby is premature or sick, ask your provider which formula you should use. Preparing formula As a parent, you might be concerned about reports of babies getting sick after drinking contaminated formula. This is caused by a type of bacteria found in some dry food products, including powdered formula. Infection caused by these bacteria is very rare but can be serious in babies. To learn more about protecting your child from infection, see Cronobacter Illness and Infant Formula. Guidelines for mixing formula: Before preparing formula, wash your hands and work surfaces thoroughly. It is important to clean the bottles and nipples carefully. Rub as you wash using hot soapy water. You may use the dishwasher if the bottles and nipples have good exposure to the wash water. Dry everything as well as possible with a clean cloth. Moisture allows bacteria to grow, which is dangerous for babies. If your water is from a private well, have it tested for bacteria before mixing it with formula. Water from a city or a water company does not need to be tested. When mixing formula, always add powder to water to make sure you have the right amount, and to prevent the powder from clumping at the bottom of the bottle. Measure the water with a measuring cup. The measurements on the bottle may not be accurate. Carefully read and follow the instructions on the can of formula. Use the scoop that comes with the powder. Do not use the same scoop for different formulas. Store any unused mixed formula in the refrigerator in a clean container for up to 24 hours. If it is not used within 24 hours, throw it away. Only warm as much formula as your baby will drink. Once formula has been warmed, it must be used within one hour to prevent growth of bacteria. Warm the formula in a container of warm water. Do not microwave or heat it on the stove. Your baby can drink formula cool or cold as well. Formula should never be frozen. Is Your Baby Getting Enough? Check for two things to know if your baby is getting enough to eat during your first week home: the number of feedings per day and your baby's diaper. Your baby should be eating well at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. Check for wet diapers and stools in your baby's diaper. If your baby is getting enough food, you should see her stools change from being greenish black (called meconium) on the day of birth to green or yellowish by 4 to 5 days old. Guidelines for stools and wet diapers: DAY Hours Old STOOL DIAPER1 Birth-24 hours 1 stool; black or dark green 1 wet diaper2 24-48 hours 2 stools; black or dark green 2 wet diapers3 48-72 hours 3 stools; black or greenish 3 wet diapers4 72-96 hours 3-4 stools; greenish or yellowish 4 wet diapers5 Over 96 hours 3-4 stools; yellow stools 6-8 wet diapers If your baby is still passing black meconium stools after day 4 (96 hours old), call your baby's doctor for an appointment. When a baby is breastfeeding well, her stools should begin to change from black to greenish by day 3 or 4. Her mouth, eyes, and skin will be moist. There is one exception when your baby may not have stools in this pattern. Some babies pass meconium before birth into the bag of water or have several large meconium stools at birth or soon after. It is normal for this baby to have less stools in the next few days. At 72 to 96 hours old, your baby should resume with 3 to 4 stools per day that are green to yellow in color, with no more black stools after 96 hours old. Sleepy Baby Some babies may be sleepy and not interested in feeding, or fall asleep within the first few minutes after starting to nurse. If this happens, there are things you can do to wake your baby up and encourage a feeding. Undress your baby and keep her near you, skin to skin. She may wake with the undressing. The close contact with you will encourage your milk supply. Keep the baby close to the breast and look for any early signs of feeding interest. If your baby remains sleepy and doesn't feed, change her diaper and wash her bottom even if the diaper is clean. This activity will help wake your baby. If your baby wakes for a feeding, but falls asleep too soon after feeding, change her diaper when she falls asleep as a way to wake her. Rub the soles of your baby's feet firmly to help keep her awake and interested once she has latched to the breast. If these things don't work, try holding your baby on your lap in a sitting position and rub and pat her back firmly. Walk your fingers up her spine. This will often wake a baby or cause a burp, which may make your baby more interested in feeding. If your baby remains sleepy, is feeding poorly, or hasn't had enough wet diapers or stools, call your baby's health care provider. Burping Your Baby Not all babies need burping, but it can be very helpful for some. Burp your baby during her feedings — in the middle and again at the end. Burping gets rid of the air your baby has swallowed while sucking and crying. Swallowed air will make your baby feel full and she won't feed as well. Once she's burped the air out, she'll have room for more milk. Some babies will feed better if they are burped at the beginning of their feeding, especially if they've been crying. To help your baby avoid swallowing air during breastfeeding, make sure he is comfortable and has a good seal on the breast. If you are bottle-feeding, make sure the nipple is full of milk. The easiest ways to burp a baby: Sit the baby on your lap and support her chin with your hand. Or, hold the baby against your chest with her face over your shoulder. Either way, pat or rub your baby's back gently for 2 or 3 minutes. If your baby does not burp after a few minutes, lay her down on her side for a minute or two. Changing positions might help move the air bubble. Then baby can be placed 'back to sleep. 'Spitting Up Many babies spit up a small amount of their feeding. It is common for your baby to have a teaspoon or two of milk dribble out of her mouth. The baby usually isn't bothered by spitting up. Frequent burping and slowing down how fast your baby takes her feeding may help minimize spitting up. Two actions that may prevent some spitting up are keeping your baby in a more upright position and not pushing her knees up high onto the abdomen during diaper changes. As your baby gets older, she will stop spitting up. Call your baby's doctor if your baby has forceful vomiting where her feedings seem to shoot out of her mouth, or if your baby seems to have pain when spitting up. If your baby appears to be choking, stop the feeding and sit her up and lean her forward as if you were burping her, or turn her to her side in a lying down position so that the milk she was choking on can come out. Clinical review by Ruth Reed, BSN Kaiser Permanente Reviewed 03/01/2014  Get Answers search answersor browse by category When you start with baby rice , do you only replace one feeding a day? DORE_FAMILY08 5 answers Feeding Our doctor told us to start our daughter on baby rice cereal at 3 months and if she did well with that to move towards stage 1 baby food at 4 months. I don't know if I'm supposed to mix the rice cereal with her formula at every feeding or what....answers (5)Redstilts First off, I would look more into feeding a baby that young. I'm not an expert but every doctor/nurse/book etc that I have ever read/heard said not to start cereal until 5 months or at least until the baby could sit and support itself. I would rec. you look into this further. But once you start I would add formula or breastmilk to the cereal until you get a runny-type consistency. At first the cereal will be more of a snack than a meal. Babies have to learn to adjust from getting a liquid only diet to one with more texture. Be patient, it can take a few days or longer before more cereal gets in the baby than everywhere BUT the baby. :) Maybe feed the cereal twice a day? And work up as she gets the hang off it. Reportegeltman You have to listen to your baby's needs. He/She will tell you exactly what they want. I started my first daughter on rice cereal at 3 months and moved her to stage 1 foods at 4 months. My second daughter started eating stage 1 foods at 4 months, she did NOT like cereals so I just started giving her fruits. Make sure that your baby can sit supported and that he/she can support the head. Reportsupernanny I come from a medical family, have one child and nanny for friends. I think this is all good advice. Babies get their main nutrition from breastmilk and/or formula so cereal is just a supplimental thing early on until you add real food to it. Pediatritions usually say between 4-6 months to start letting them taste it. Keep all the feedings and just give cereal as a mid-morning snack or late-afternoon snack or after dinnertime feeding. Cereal really does not have much nutritional value; it is just a filler. Then you increase thickness of cereal and feeding it more often and more at meal times as time goes on. Reportmommaduck When you start feeing your baby cereal it's adding to the meal of milk, not replacing it. They still need their milk wether it's formula or breastmilk. One thing is when you start feeding them the cereal it should be feed to the child from a spoon and bowl. Don't mix or add cereal into their bottles. As for starting them at 3 months, I do feel that's a little too young as baby's tummies are not ready to digest solids yet. It can be hard on thier little tummies also could cause constipation or difficultity having a bowel movement. You do need to do your own research via doctors, pediatricians, books etc, as they may say differently. The guidelines change over time as well so need to look and go with the most recent one and as well as with your instincts and baby's. The Canadian Pediatric society say not to start solids until 6 months. I just started my baby at 5 1/2 months on cereal and they are loving it. I started him as he was nursing every 2 hours! So you do need to take in consideration of your baby. If your baby's eating fine and fairly spaced out and you don't really feel they need cereal yet, don't start. They don't need solids nutritionally until closer to 6 months. Hopefully that helped some more. Reportblake0512My son was 3 months old when his doctor put him on rice cereal. He was spit-up over half his milk he would eat during feeding. So his doctor told me to put one spoone full in 4oz of his milk. His did not spit-up as bad. Well when I tired to take him off his cereal he cried like he was not full enough. So I started adding it back in but cut back on the cereal. He is now 9 months and i still give him cereal in his bottles but only at night Report*DISCLAIMER Parenting.com's Answers are provided by members of our community. While your fellow moms and our editors have plenty of great advice to offer based on their experience, it is not a substitute for professional medical help. Always consult a medical professional when seeking medical advice. All submitted answers are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use  How Much Should a Premature Baby Eat at Home? Babies Preemies How Much Should a Premature Baby Eat at Home? By Cheryl Bird, RN | Reviewed by Joel Forman, MDUpdated April 10, 2018Share Pin Email Print Alexandra Grablewski/Stone/Getty Images Feeding premature babies can be challenging, both in the NICU and at home. Health problems may interrupt early feedings, and even older preemies may not be strong enough to take in enough milk to grow well. Although feeding premature babies isn't always easy, it is important for development and brain growth. Importance of Feeding Premature Babies Enough Milk Premature babies are small at birth, and may not be able to tolerate milk feedings right away. Although IV feeding provides important nutrients that help your baby grow stronger, babies grow much better from milk feedings than from IV fluids. Because of this, many preemies don't grow well in the NICU and are small for their age when they are discharged from the hospital. Good nutrition does more than just help preemies to grow longer and heavier. Milk feedings help preemies' brains to grow. Premature babies who get better nutrition early in life have bigger brains and fewer developmental delays as they get older. To help their brains grow, it's important for preemies to have good catch up growth in their first months of life. Ideally, catch up growth should happen by the time a baby is 3 months corrected age. This means that, by 3 months after a preemie's original due date, he or she should be somewhere in the average range for height, weight, and head circumference measurements. What Type of Milk Should I Be Feeding My Premature Baby? Breast milk is best for babies, including preemies. To help make sure your baby is getting enough protein and calories for catch up growth, your doctor may recommend that you add human milk fortifier (HMF) to some or all of your milk. Once your baby has a good catch up growth, talk to your doctor about switching to exclusive breastfeeding or regular breast milk. If you are formula feeding, your baby may need a special preemie discharge formula. Preemie discharge formula has more protein and calories than regular formula and is available at most supermarkets and through WIC with a doctor's note. Brands of preemie discharge formula include: Similac Neosure Enfamil Enfacare Cow & Gate Nutriprem 2How Much Milk Should My Baby Drink? Most breastfed newborn babies breastfeed about 8 to 12 times per day or about every 1 1/2 to 3 hours. Bottle fed newborn babies drink about 1 1/2 to 3 ounces of milk every 2 to 3 hours. When you're figuring out how much you should be feeding your premature baby at home, talk to NICU staff about how much your baby was eating in the hospital. Neonatologists use complex equations to figure out how many calories a preemie should be eating for good growth, and won't discharge a baby until he is eating at least that much. If your baby is drinking at least as much in the early days at home as he was in the hospital, he should grow well. If your baby is not getting enough milk, he or she will show signs of dehydration, including: Fewer than 6 wet diapers in a 24-hour period Sunken eyes Sunken fontanelles (soft spots)Crying with no tears Regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding with formula or breast milk, your baby will look healthy and will grow well if he or she is getting enough to eat. Take your baby in for regular pediatrician visits so your baby's doctor can weigh him and measure his length and head growth. Encouraging Your Preemie to Eat More If your baby seems to be taking in less milk at home than he or she was in the hospital or isn't growing well, talk to your pediatrician about how to get your baby to eat more. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, the following tricks may help: Feed your baby as soon as he's hungry: Crying is a late hunger sign. Babies may breastfeed better or drink more milk if you feed them as soon as they begin to look hungry. If your baby is sucking on his fist or gumming her blankets, offer a feeding. Make sure your baby is fully awake: If your baby tends to fall asleep during feedings, try to keep him awake and interested. Sit your baby up to bottle feed, or play with his toes during breastfeeding. If your baby falls asleep but you think he's still hungry, wake him up with a diaper change. Burp your baby during feeding: If your baby's belly is full of air, there won't be room for milk. Burp your baby midway through a feeding, or whenever he starts to slow down. Use breast compression: If you're breastfeeding, compress the breast at the end of a feeding to encourage your baby to drink every drop of high-calorie milk. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics. "Breastfeeding Initiatives FAQs." http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/faqsbreastfeeding.htm. Cooke, R. "Nutrition of Preterm Infants After Discharge." Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism 2011 (suppl 1): 32-36. ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. "Medical Position Paper: Feeding Preterm Infants After Hospital Discharge." Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition May 2006; 42, 596-603. Kids Health from Nemours. "Formula Feeding FAQs: How Much and How Often."http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/formulafeed/formulafeed_often.html#. March of Dimes. “When to Call Your Baby’s Doctor.” http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/sickbabycare_calldoctor.html.  Solid foods: How to get your baby started Solid foods: How to get your baby started Solid foods are a big step for a baby. Find out when and how to make the transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods. By Mayo Clinic Staff Giving your baby his or her first taste of solid food is a major milestone. Here's what you need to know before your baby takes that first bite. Is your baby ready for solid foods? Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months after birth. But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding. It's during this time that babies typically stop using their tongues to push food out of their mouths and begin to develop the coordination to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. In addition to age, look for other signs that your baby is ready for solid foods. For example: Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position? Can your baby sit with support? Is your baby mouthing his or her hands or toys? Is your baby interested in what you're eating? If you answer yes to these questions and your baby's doctor agrees, you can begin supplementing your baby's liquid diet. What to serve when Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula — up to 32 ounces a day. Then: Start simple. Offer single-ingredient foods that contain no sugar or salt, and wait three to five days between each new food. This way if your baby has a reaction — such as diarrhea, rash or vomiting — you'll know the cause. After introducing single-ingredient foods, you can offer them in combination. Important nutrients. Iron and zinc are important nutrients in the second half of your baby's first year. These nutrients are found in pureed meats and single-grain, iron-fortified cereal. Beans, lentils or other culturally acceptable foods might also be appropriate. Baby cereal basics. Mix 1 tablespoon of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) of breast milk or formula. Don't serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day. Serve one or two teaspoons after a bottle- or breast-feeding. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid and gradually increase the amount you offer. Offer a variety of single-grain cereals such as rice, oatmeal or barley. Avoid offering only rice cereal due to possible exposure to arsenic. Add vegetables and fruits. Continue gradually introducing single-ingredient foods that contain no sugar or salt. Start with pureed vegetables and then offer fruits. Wait three to five days between each new food. Offer finely chopped finger foods. By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, vegetables, pasta, cheese, well-cooked meat, baby crackers and dry cereal. As your baby approaches age 1, offer your baby three meals a day — as well as snacks — with mashed or chopped versions of whatever you're eating. What if my baby refuses his or her first feeding? This is not unusual. Babies often reject their first servings of pureed foods because the taste and texture is new. If your baby refuses the feeding, don't force it. Try again in a week. If the problem continues, talk to your baby's doctor to make sure the resistance isn't a sign of a problem. What about food allergies? To help prevent food allergies, parents were once told to avoid feeding young children highly allergenic foods such as eggs, fish, peanuts and tree nuts. Today, however, there's no convincing evidence that avoiding these foods during early childhood will help prevent food allergies. New research also suggests that desensitizing at-risk children to peanuts between ages 4 and 11 months may be effective at preventing peanut allergies. In a recent study, high-risk children — such as those with atopic dermatitis or egg allergy or both — were selected to either eat or avoid peanut products from 4 to 11 months of age until 5 years of age. Researchers found that high-risk children who regularly consumed peanut protein, such as peanut butter or peanut-flavored snacks, were 70 to 86 percent less likely to develop a peanut allergy. These findings might impact food allergy guidelines in the future. Still, especially if any close relatives have a food allergy, give your child his or her first taste of a highly allergenic food at home — rather than at a restaurant — with an oral antihistamine available. Is juice OK? Juice isn't a necessary part of a baby's diet, and it's not as valuable as whole fruit. Too much juice might contribute to weight problems and diarrhea, as well as thwart your baby's appetite for more-nutritious solid foods. Sipping juice throughout the day or while falling asleep can lead to tooth decay. If you offer juice, wait until your baby is at least 6 months or older. Make sure the juice is 100 percent fruit juice. Limit the amount your baby drinks to 4 to 6 ounces (118 to 177 milliliters) a day — about one food serving of fruit — and serve it in a cup. Juices containing vitamin C might improve your baby's absorption of iron. Know what's off-limits Certain foods are not appropriate for babies. Consider these guidelines: Don't offer cow's milk or honey before age 1. Cow's milk doesn't meet an infant's nutritional needs — it isn't a good source of iron — and can increase the risk of iron deficiency. Honey might contain spores that can cause a serious illness known as infant botulism. Don't offer foods that can cause your baby to choke. As your baby progresses in eating solid foods, don't offer hot dogs, chunks of meat or cheese, grapes, raw vegetables, or fruit chunks, unless they're cut up into small pieces. Also, don't offer hard foods, such as seeds, nuts, popcorn and hard candy that can't be changed to make them safe options. Other high-risk foods include peanut butter and marshmallows. Preparing baby food at home Another reason to avoid giving your baby solid food before age 4 months is the risk associated with certain home-prepared foods. A baby younger than age 4 months should not be given home-prepared spinach, beets, carrots, green beans or squash. These foods might contain enough nitrates to cause the blood disorder methemoglobinemia. Make meals manageable When feeding your baby, give him or her your full attention. Talk to your baby and help him or her through the process. In addition, to make mealtime enjoyable: Stay seated. As soon as your baby can sit easily without support, use a highchair with a broad, stable base. Buckle the safety straps. Encourage exploration. Your baby is likely to play with his or her food. Although it's messy, hands-on fun helps fuel development. Just make sure that finger foods are soft, easy to swallow and broken down into small pieces. Introduce utensils. Offer your baby a spoon to hold while you feed him or her with another spoon. As your baby's dexterity improves, encourage your baby to use a spoon. Offer a cup. Feeding your baby breast milk or formula from a cup at mealtime can help pave the way for weaning from a bottle. Around age 9 months, your baby might be able to drink from a cup on his or her own. Dish individual servings. If you feed your baby directly from a jar or container, saliva on the spoon can quickly spoil leftovers. Instead, place servings in a dish. Opened jars of baby food can be safely refrigerated for two to three days. Avoid power struggles. If your baby turns away from a new food, don't push. Simply try again another time. Repeated exposure can help ensure variety in your baby's diet. Know when to call it quits. When your baby has had enough to eat, he or she might cry or turn away. Don't force extra bites. As long as your baby's growth is on target, he or she is likely getting enough to eat. Also, don't try to get your baby to eat as much as possible at bedtime to get him or her to sleep through the night. There's no evidence that this works. Enjoy your baby's sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face. You're building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. Share Tweet April 14, 2017References See more In-depth Products and Services Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Year See also Air travel with infant Baby fat Baby naps Baby poop: What's normal? Baby sling Baby sunscreen Baby walkers Show More  Adding Cereal to Your Babyâs Bottle â Is Adding Cereal to Babyâs Bottle Safe? Adding Cereal to Your Baby’s Bottle – Is Adding Cereal to Baby’s Bottle Safe? Will Cereal in Baby’s Bottle help her to sleep longer? Image: Shutterstock We know that many parents, tired and at their wits end from lack of sleep, are offered the advice of putting cereal in baby’s bottle so that baby might sleep for a longer period of time. We know that many are probably tempted to try the old “cereal in the bottle” trick to gain an extra 1 hour (heck even an extra 20 minutes.) of sleep. We also know that this is one of the biggest and possibly one of the more dangerous practices you could engage in. It is not a good idea because you may throw the “I’m full” instinct off kilter; more importantly, babies have been known to aspirate cereal when cereal is mixed in a bottle with formula or breast milk. Babies who are younger than 4-6 months old seldom know how to properly swallow anything other than breast milk or formula and gulping or “inhaling” a bottle with cereal in it may have deadly consequences. Why does it seem that adding cereal to a bottle makes a baby sleep longer? As my pediatrician explained, about the time parents begin to try the cereal in the bottle trick is just about the time that an infant may be sleeping for longer periods at a time. This new. longer sleeping pattern is a natural progression as baby ages and it oftentimes coincides with the addition of cereal to the bottle. This coincidence perpetuates the dangerous myth that cereal in a bottle does indeed help an infant sleep through the night. To further this explanation, let us recall that between 6-8 months old, baby is often back to waking at night for a feeding. By this time baby should be eating solids and it appears that those solids are no longer helping baby sleep through the night. In reality, baby is hitting another growth spurt and may wake again during the night for more feedings regardless of eating solids. Please read through the medical advice and studies regarding adding cereal to baby’s bottle: Infant sleep and bedtime cereal – Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Maier MC. Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195-5045. We studied whether feeding infants rice cereal before bedtime promotes their sleeping through the night. One hundred six infants were randomly assigned to begin bedtime cereal feeding (1 tablespoon per ounce in a bottle) at 5 weeks or at 4 months of age. Caretakers recorded the infant’s sleep from age 4 to 21 weeks for one 24-hour period per week. Sleeping through the night was defined as sleeping at least 8 consecutive hours, with the majority of time being between the hours of midnight and 6 AM. The results were also reviewed changing the requirement from 8 hours to 6 hours. There was no statistically significant trend or a consistent tendency of one group to have a higher proportion of sleepers than the other. Therefore, feeding infants rice cereal in the bottle before bedtime does not appear to make much difference in their sleeping through the night. NIH Medical Library – Study on Infant Sleep & Bedtime Cereal Should I put cereal in the bottle to help my baby sleep through the night? Cereal does not usually need to be put in your baby’s bottle unless your baby’s doctor specifically suggests it. Despite popular belief, adding cereal or other solid foods to your baby’s diet will not help your baby sleep through the night. Your baby may have a hard time learning to eat from a spoon, if she gets used to taking solid foods in a bottle. Giving cereal before 4 to 6 months may also increase the risk of food allergies. Harvard Medical School – 2 Month Old Baby Care Q: Will cereal in the bottle before bed help my baby sleep through the night? Does feeding before bed help a baby sleep through the night? A: No to both questions. First: No, it is usually a bad idea to put cereal in the bottle before bed. This may lad to children waking up at night with gas and stools. It may also lead to a baby learning to become dependant on having a “full belly” to fall asleep. Also, cereal is only “empty calories” for babies under 4 to 6 months old, with little nutritional value except in older babies. Second, feeding before bed usually does not help a child sleep though the night (at least, in most babies over two or three months old.) Feeding to sleep can lead to dentition, so called bottle caries. Maybe sometimes feeding before bed helps a baby under two or three months old sleep through the night, but it often leads to problems as listed above. For older babies it rarely helps them sleep through the night, and often leads to dependence on feeding before bed that can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and sleep problems that begin at nine to twelve months of life. In short, when kids get in the habit of feeding to sleep, it’s very hard to break them of that habit. Also, feeding with a bottle in bed can lead to recurrent ear infections. Pine Street Pediatrics – Formula FAQ.htm Does adding cereal to a baby’s formula help them sleep through the night? I do not recommend adding cereal to the formula. Sleeping though the night is not just a matter of filling up. Little stomachs can only hold so much. Adding cereal to formula makes each feeding less nutritious in terms of calcium, other minerals, fats, and protein. Feed your formula-fed infant all the formula she needs to satisfy her. She will sleep through the night when she is ready. (About half the bottle-fed infants are sleeping through the night at 8 weeks; half are not. Breast-fed infants normally wake for middle-of-the-night feedings for quite a while longer.) Your New Baby & Sleep; MSNBCCereal in the Bottle may lead to overeating“ I’m much more concerned about a subtler issue. Babies are born with a wonderful mechanism for knowing how much food they need. During the early months, they take their cues from the volume of what they drink. Adding cereal derails this mechanism. It forces them to take in deceptively large amounts of calories. It teaches them to overeat. “ Dr. Greene on Cereal in the Bottle for Sleep Resources & Learning More about Adding Cereal to Baby’s Bottle NIH Medical Library – Study on Infant Sleep & Bedtime Cereal Your New Baby & Sleep; MSNBCDr. Greene on Cereal in the Bottle for Sleep Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.“The next time someone tells you to “just give the baby a little cereal to get him to sleep better,” ask what she would recommend for an adult who can’t sleep. Chances are, her advice would be to drink a glass of warm milk…” Jan Barger, certified lactation consultant SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON PINTEREST  Feeding Your Baby Home Babies Feeding Solid Foods Feeding Your Baby When should you introduce solids? And how much should you give your little one? Use our chart as a guidefrom Parents Magazine Facebook Pinterest Twitter Email If your child is 4 months old and can hold her head up, the time may be right to introduce solids. Use this chart as a guide, but remember that until age 1, food should supplement breast milk or formula, not replace it. Age 4-6 Months What to start? Rice cereal. It's the least likely to cause allergies, and it provides a valuable source of iron. How Much? Mix 1 tsp. of cereal with 1 Tbs. of breast milk or formula. (Over time, you can make the cereal thicker and servings larger.) Aim for one or two solid feedings a day in addition to his usual diet. Tips for Success Start with feedings in the morning, when babies are typically more relaxed. Wait four days before introducing another grain, such as barley. This will help you identify an allergy. Age 4-8 Months What to start? Fruits and veggies. These can be introduced either before or after cereal at each meal. Try anything from peas to pears, but offer new foods a few days apart so you can watch for allergies. How Much? To start, serve 2 to 3 tsp. once a day. Work up to 1 to 2 Tbs. two or three times a day. Tips for Success Introduce vegetables first, before your baby develops a preference for the sweet taste of fruit, and wait until she's 1 before feeding her citrus fruits -- their high acid content can upset her stomach. Age 8-12 Months What to start? Soft foods. Oatmeal, mashed sweet potatoes, and yogurt are all easy for a baby to eat. A child this age also needs additional sources of iron, so try pureed meats like beef or turkey. How Much? Gradually work up to 1 to 2 Tbs. of soft foods and 2 Tbs. of pureed meat each day. Babies can get overwhelmed, so offer only two or three foods at one time. Tips for Success To interest your child, try placing small amounts of new foods next to favorites. Age 9-12 Months What to start? Finger foods. Your baby has developed his superior pincer grasp and is eager to try feeding himself. Offer cooked pasta, soft bits of fruit, and dried cereals. How Much? One or two finger foods (about 1 to 2 Tbs. of each)at each meal, in addition to several servings of the foods above. Tips for Success Make sure all pieces are smaller than the width of your child's pinkie. Continue to feed him with a spoon to make sure he's getting enough to eat each day. Age 12-24 Months What to start? Table foods. If you're no longer giving your baby breast milk or formula, be sure she's getting all of the calories and nutrients she needs by offering her a wide variety of healthy foods. How Much? Total servings per day (serving sizes in parentheses): 4 grains (1/2 slice bread, 1/4 to 1/2 cup cereal or pasta); 4 fruit/veggie (1 to 2 Tbs., or 3 oz. juice); 2 protein (1 oz. meat or 1 egg); 4 dairy (4 to 6 oz. whole milk, 1/3 cup yogurt, or 1/3 oz. cheese). Tips for Success Entice your child to eat a varied diet by always providing different textures, colors, and flavors at mealtime. NETWORK ERRORCannot Contact Server RELOAD YOUR SCREEN OR TRY SELECTING A DIFFERENT VIDEOPortion Guide for Babies: 4 Months to 8 Months103250673More in Solid Foods Feeding Your 9- to 12-Month-Old An Age-By-Age Guide to Feeding Your Baby Solid Foods Introducing Solid Foods to Baby First Year Feeding Guide Your Baby's Digestive Health Switching to Solids  How Often Should Your Baby Feed? Home › Postpartum › Breastfeeding › How Often Baby Should Feed How Often Should Your Baby Feed? There are so many theories about breastfeeding that no one could blame a new Mom for being a little confused. Doctors, health experts and mothers themselves have different opinions on how often, how much, and when and where babies should feed. How often you breastfeed your baby will depend on whether or not you choose to feed her "on demand" (namely, when your baby lets you know that she's hungry), or you decide to try and establish your baby in a feeding routine from very early on. Strict feeding schedules were popular among new mothers in the past, but from the 1960s onwards many women have opted for a more flexible approach. Supporters of both techniques often disagree strongly with one another, but as a Mom, it's up to you (in consultation with your doctor) to decide on the best method for you and your baby. For the purposes of this article, we're going to talk about how many times a day a baby will breastfeed if you let her decide when she should eat. How Often? Doctors say that in the first month of her life, your baby will probably feed between six and 12 times a day. Nature lets your baby know what is good for her; and the more frequently she feeds, the more she stimulates your milk production, ensuring that she'll always have a ready supply when she needs it. Newborns So don't be worried if you feel like you are feeding her around the clock. Some newborns feed as often as once every one and a half to two hours. In the very early days, you might find that your baby demands to be fed at completely irregular intervals. While this can be very tiring for you, again, it's not necessarily something to worry about - unless you think she might not be getting enough milk. Breast milk is very easily digested by your baby's system and it's quite normal, for example, for a breast-fed baby to feed more often than a formula-fed baby. When baby is one to two months... When your baby reaches one to two months, you should expect the number of feeds to reduce slightly per day. Somewhere between seven and nine daily feeds is considered "normal. "This is because your baby is becoming stronger and more skilled at feeding, and is better able to get out the milk (and especially the highly nutritious milk from the back of the breast). Table of Contents1. How Often Baby Should Feed2. Is baby feeding enough? Page 1 Page 2Login to comment Log in or sign up Forgot Password? Username: Password: CANCEL (0 Comments) Login to add a comment Post a comment You must be logged in to comment.  Finding the Right Feeding Schedule and Routine for Your Baby Whether You Bottle or Breastfeed ... Finding the Right Feeding Schedule and Routine for Your Baby Whether You Bottle or Breastfeed ... A new parent worries about getting the right baby feeding schedule and often looks for a guide. Many new parents have questions about how often they should be feeding their babies, and they encounter conflicting advice and information. Feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry. Babies need frequent feedings: most guidelines say a newborn needs food about every two to three hours at first, 24 hours a day. Keeping baby in your room when night feeding It's wise to take a tip from experts who say it's better to keep the baby in your room. The biggest problem with breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby may be the effect that 'round the clock nursing has on your own sleeping schedule. Night feeding can be less disruptive if you move the baby in with you, either placing the crib beside your bed or bringing the baby into your bed. Then when the baby wakes up hungry, you can nurse without even having to be fully awake yourself. How often will my baby get hungry and should I follow the pediatrician's feeding plan? Your baby feeding schedule will probably be regulated by your baby. Most healthy, full term babies wake up hungry every couple of hours, so you probably won't have to keep a chart. If your baby has health problems or if your milk supply is a little low, you may have to schedule feedings to keep your baby healthy and to ensure your body is stimulated to create milk. If you feed your child on a regular schedule at first, you may find your milk production becoming more reliable. Some infants feed more frequently at certain times of the day or night, and go for longer periods without feeding at other times. In cluster feeding, the baby eats in small amounts but more frequently than usual. Your baby's first year is a series of developmental stages: a new born may eat according to your pediatrician's feeding chart, but within a couple of months, you may need to change your feeding plan to meet your child's needs. The amount your child eats should be up to him or her. Feed your baby as much as he or she wants to eat at one time: shortening feedings can leave your child hungry. What's different about how a premature baby learns to eat? Mothers of premature babies or newborns who aren't instinctively eating 8-12 times per day may find that they need to keep track of feeding to make sure the baby gains weight. Signs of hunger include rooting, sucking on fingers or hands, and crying. If your preemie prefers sleeping to eating, you may need to wake your baby during the night for feedings. Keeping the baby in your room is one way to simplify feedings: an alarm clock with a gentle chime is another way to wake for feedings without becoming fully awake each time. One of the greatest stresses new moms and dads suffer is the stress of not having a complete night's sleep for months at a time: do whatever you can to minimize that problem. What changes can you expect from your baby's feeding schedule? As your baby's stomach grows, your baby feeding schedule will become normalize and time between feedings will increase. It's possible to night wean your child around nine months of age (some experts recommend one year, but it depends on how badly you need to sleep). Night weaning will be effective if your baby is developmentally ready for it: otherwise, you can do everything right and you'll still be waking up with a hungry child. But you can try feeding more frequently in the hours leading up to bedtime and through the day, putting in one last feeding just before you go to bed yourself, and increasing the quality of daytime feedings. Research has shown that babies will eat up to 25% more at a feeding if they aren't distracted by things going on around them. Nurse your baby in a quiet room where there's nothing else happening. Continue reading more baby tips about Breast Feeding Diets Click to Add this Article on Your Favorite Social Media Share Did you find the information you were looking for? After reading the above article, what is still your biggest question? Get Free Parenting Tips and Advice Sign up for free helpful parenting tips with contributions from parents, teachers, and day care professionals. I want ask a question and receive the parenting tips. I only want to ask a question don't want helpful advice. E-Mail Address: Your Name:  Tips and advice for feeding your preemie Tips and advice for feeding your preemie Highlights Feeding a preemie, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, may present special challenges. There are many ways to help you and your preemie have successful feedings. Learn how to look for signs that your baby is ready for solid foods. Many preemies are still working on their feeding skills weeks after they go home from the NICU. You may need to wake your baby to feed, and he may be too tired to drink very much at one time. He may also have other feeding-related obstacles to overcome, such as: Reflux Poor suck/swallow/breathe patterns Frequent crying and fussiness with feeding A slow pace of eating Different babies have different needs, so your NICU team will send your baby home with a special feeding plan. The plan will be monitored after you leave the NICU and changed, as needed, based on your baby’s growth and development. Breastfeeding Breastmilk is the gold standard for infant feeding, but many preemies are unable get the extra nutrients they need from breastmilk alone. Breastmilk supplements or special infant formula may be recommended by your baby’s doctor or dietitian to help him get the nutrition he needs to grow. We're here to help Ask Dorothy, your Personal Baby Expert, for tips on the best way to supplement with the least disruption to breastfeeding. She's here for you 24/7 and backed by our Certified Lactation Consultant. Pump after each feeding to fully empty each breast and build a good milk supply. This pumped milk can be stored in the freezer for several months. It’s never too early to build a breastmilk reserve, especially if you plan to return to work. Formula feeding Many preemies need more nutrients than what is provided in formulas designed for full-term infants. Special formulas are available to help meet the nutritional needs of babies born prematurely after they leave the hospital. These formulas have levels of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals that fall between regular and preterm formulas. This nutritional insurance helps bridge the gap between the needs of preterm and term infants. Feeding tips The following tips can help your baby have a successful and nurturing feeding time. Cuddle “kangaroo” style — hold your baby skin-to-skin while feeding. Create a calm and quiet environment and try to limit interruptions. Support your baby’s head while feeding and keep it higher than his belly. Burp him frequently to reduce spit-up. Be patient. It may take 20 to 30 minutes for him to finish a feeding. Gently wake him and encourage him to eat a little more if he finishes after only around 15-20 minutes. Carefully follow all preparation and storage directions for the formula or stored breastmilk you might be bottle-feeding. Clean all supplies well, for both bottle-feeding and pumping, to reduce contamination. Always wash hands thoroughly before preparing bottles Is he eating enough? Some preemies come home on a good feeding schedule and are happy to let you know when they’re hungry. Others would rather sleep than eat, which means you may need to gently wake him for feedings. Still, other infants are working to build the endurance they need to complete a full feeding. Preemies tend to eat more frequently, but take less at each feeding than a baby born at term. Expect him to eat 8 to 10 times a day (possibly 10 to 12 if he’s breastfed), which will be about every 2 to 3 hours for the first several weeks after he is home. If he goes longer than three hours between feedings, offer him the breast or bottle. If he has fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours, or if his feedings are more than four hours apart, talk to your pediatrician, as he may be at risk for dehydration. Starting your preemie on solid foods Since your preemie didn’t spend a full 40 weeks in your womb, he needs extra time to catch up on both growth and development before starting solids. Most babies born prematurely should start solid foods at four to six months corrected age (number of weeks since birth minus the number of weeks he was born premature). However, knowing when to start your premature baby on solid foods is less about his age and more about where he is developmentally. Here are some signs that your baby might be ready for his first solid food: Sits with help or support On tummy, pushes up on arms with straight elbows Moves pureed food or infant cereal forward and backward in mouth with tongue to swallow Cries or fusses to show hunger Smiles and looks at you while feeding Opens mouth and leans toward spoon Talk to your baby’s doctor before starting any solid foods to ensure that he is developmentally ready. Good to know Iron-rich infant cereal is a great choice for your baby’s first solid food. How was the information in this article? Love it Too much Not enough  When Do You Give Baby Cereal? When Do You Give Baby Cereal? March 19, 2012 by getbabytosleep Leave a Comment Many parents are eager to begin feeding their babies cereal. Often, they try to give it before the baby is ready, with disappointing results. In this article, we talk about when your baby is ready to try cereal, how to introduce it, and which baby cereals are best. Contents: When To Give A Baby Cereal Single-grain cereal Mixed-grain cereal How to Introduce Cereal to Your Baby The Best Baby Cereals Best Single-grain Cereal Best Organic Cereal Best Cereal-Fruit Mixes When To Give A Baby Cereal At the newborn stage, babies can’t eat cereal or other solid foods because they’re unable to move food to the back of the mouth to swallow (that’s why they need a nipple and not a straw). As he or she grows, your baby will develop the physical capacity to begin eating cereal from a spoon. Your baby’s pediatrician should tell you when to start offering cereal, but here are the general signs that your baby is ready for it. When To Give Single-Grain Cereal Your baby may be ready for single-grain cereal when he or she: Is 4-6 months old (adjusted age), meaning that your original due date was 4-6 months ago. Usually it’s closer to 6 months. Can sit up with support from a high chair, pillow, Bumbo or Bebepod. Holds his or her head up without help. Shows interest in solid food, either by grabbing at your plate or opening his or her mouth when a spoon is offered. Of course, you should also have the approval of your baby’s pediatrician. When to Give Mixed-Grain Cereal After a couple of months with single grain cereal, you can also give “mixed” or multi-grain cereal. Usually this is when your baby: Is 6-8 months old and eats single-grain cereal daily. Can sit independently without need of support. Shows excitement when food is presented (that’s from Gerber). The mixed-grain cereal tends to be a bit heavier. You don’t have to give it instead of single-grain cereal; you can offer both at different times. Mixed-grain cereal is great for thickening running baby foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and most fruits. Single-grain rice cereal is very fine-grained, which is ideal if you spike some cereal into the nighttime bottle. How to Introduce Cereal to Your Baby If you think your baby is ready and you have the green light from the pediatrician, here are some tips for introducing your baby to cereal, based on some research and my own experience. Your baby’s first cereal should be a single-grain cereal. Most parents start with single-grain rice cereal because it’s very fine-grained and seems less likely to cause gagging.1. Start giving cereal once a day in the morning. This is generally when your baby is both hungry and well-rested, both of which will help you succeed. Once he or she gets the hang of it, you may want to give your baby cereal in the evening to help him or her sleep longer at night.2. Mix 1 teaspoon of cereal to 4-5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula. This gives the cereal a familiar taste that your baby is less likely to reject. The resulting mixture will be thin and runny (messy) so bring out the best bib you have, and think about putting your baby in a high chair or baby seat that has a plastic tray.3. Have a bottle ready. All new experiences aside, your baby will probably grow tired or frustrated and just want a bottle. It’s better to try the cereal before the bottle, so that they’re hungrier and so that you have something to soothe him or her with afterward.4. Use a small, soft-tipped spoon. You’ll understand why once you try it. Even the most dextrous of parents may struggle in hitting the moving target of a baby’s mouth. Also, you only want to offer a little bit at a time to reduce gagging. The Gerber soft-bite infant spoons are ideal for this.5. Be patient and expect to fail. At first, your baby will probably have no idea what’s going on or how to handle the cereal. About 90% of the cereal will end up on the bib, the tray, the floor, and you. It will probably takes weeks of practice until your baby gets it, at which point only around 10% of the cereal will end up all over the place. As you make progress in giving your baby cereal, you may branch out to try other kinds. I recommend single-grain oat cereal next; it has a very different texture and your baby may like the taste better than rice cereal. Which Baby Cereals Are Best? There are a lot of baby cereals out there. You can usually find a few options at your local grocery store. Don’t buy too much at once! Once you find a cereal that your baby likes, however, you might wish to buy in bulk since your baby will be eating it for 6 months or more, and baby cereal keeps very well. For certain cereals, you can sign up on Amazon Subscribe N Save to have them delivered free on a regular basis. You get 15% off the Amazon price but there’s no commitment, so I really take advantage of this for diapers, cereal, and other baby staples. Best Single-Grain Baby Cereal Gerber Single-Grain Rice Cereal Gerber makes a quality single-grain rice cereal for babies that should probably be the first one you try. You should be able to find this in your local grocery store. Buy a box and see if your baby likes it. If so, you can mix it with breast milk, formula, pureed baby food, or even water . Gerber rice cereal is gentle because it’s made with single, natural grains that are easy to digest and its smooth, fine texture is developmentally appropriate for your baby’s first solid food. The easily-digestible, fine-grain texture of rice cereal makes it ideal to add to the nighttime bottle as well, which often gets a baby to sleep longer. Yes, most pediatricians frown on this, and most parents do it anyway. Just make sure to try spoon-feeding in the daytime so that your baby learns to eat that way. Gerber Single-Grain Oatmeal Cereal Gerber’s single grain oatmeal cereal is what I’d recommend you try next, either after success with the rice cereal (to introduce some variety) or if your baby rejects the rice cereal (to offer a different taste). The texture of oatmeal cereal is different and slightly coarser. All of my babies loved it, particularly when mixed with a vegetable or fruit. Their favorite cereal mix-ins were carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and apples. They also like it plain, either with water or formula. Make sure that you add enough liquid, though; this cereal will gag your baby if it’s too dry. I don’t recommend the oatmeal as a mix-in for the nightly bottle, because it seems to clog even level-3 nipples. You should be able to find Gerber Single Grain Oatmeal cereal in your supermarket or grocery store in the baby food section. Best Organic Baby Cereal HAPPYBELLIES Organic Brown Rice Cereal The bestselling organic baby cereal on Amazon is from the Happy Bellies line of Happy Baby. This whole-grain cereal has a lot to like: Enriched with DHA for brain and eye development, plus iron, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the baby’s growth100% natural ingredients, no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetic modifications, and no preservatives Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging Completely vegan and contains no dairy, soy, gluten, or wheat ingredients Vitamins and minerals: ascorbic acid, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, reduced iron, alpha tocopheryl acetate, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, zinc oxide Probiotics: l. acidophilus, bifidislactis, l. bulgaricus, l. casei, streptococcus thermophilus, and l. rhamnosus. Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal The best-reviewed organic oatmeal cereal on Amazon is made by Earth’s Best, which has a complete line of organic baby foods. Their organic oatmeal features: Made from organic wheat flour, organic evaporated cane juice, and organic cinnamon Certified organic and Kosher; non GMO; no trans fat; 20% RDA of iron, zinc, thiamin, and folic acid per serving Made from ingredients grown on U. S. organic family-run farms Ingredients Organic Whole Oat Flour, Organic Rolled Oats, Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Alpha Amylase (Enzyme), Electrolytic Iron. Best Baby Cereal Mixes Earth’s Best Organic Rice Cereal with Apples This extremely popular mix combines the whole grain organic rice cereal with apples for a naturally sweet and tasty cereal. Your baby might prefer this over plain rice cereal, because the apples give a little flavor to it. Earth’s Best organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering. There’s no definitive evidence that these things are harmful to humans, but the less man-made chemicals going into your baby, the better. USDA certified organic Made from whole grains No added salt or sugar Kosher certified Earth’s Best Organic Oatmeal Cereal with Bananas Another popular mix combines the Earth’s Best organic oatmeal whole grain cereal with bananas for a tasty mix. The banana flavor doesn’t always mix well with other baby foods, but many infants seem to like it plain. Again, these organic cereals are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetic engineering. USDA certified organic Made from whole grains No added salt or sugar Kosher certified Filed Under: Feeding Babies for Sleep  What to Feed Your Baby in Year 1: Starting Solids What to Feed Your Baby in Year 1: Starting Solids1 / 11Start Solids at 4-6 Months That's the recommended time to introduce solid foods. But it's not just about age. Before starting solids, your baby should be able to sit up (with support), turn his head away, and make chewing motions. He should also be past the reflex that makes him spit out anything including liquids. Swipe to advance1 / 11Keep Going With Breast Milk or Formula Babies usually don't eat a lot of solid foods right away. So think of solids as something you’re adding to your baby's diet, not as a replacement for breast milk or formula. Remember, you're introducing solid foods, not totally changing your baby's diet or eliminating milk. That will happen gradually. Swipe to advance1 / 11Why Start With Rice Cereal? You don’t have to -- there's no hard-and-fast rule about what solid foods you should start your baby on first. in fact, you don't have to start with cereal at all. But if you do, try a single-grain, iron-fortified infant cereal with a neutral to no flavor. It also will be a bit easier to notice any food allergies than with a cereal made from several grains. You may want to mix it with formula or breast milk to get a runny consistency at first, so it's not a drastic change for your baby. Gradually thicken it more until your baby gets used to the new texture. Swipe to advance1 / 11Eating Solids Takes Practice It may seem like it’s something natural, but being fed by a spoon is new to your baby. Up until now, she’s only had a liquid diet. She’ll need practice to get used to the spoon and to the feel of having solid food in her mouth. So don't expect her to eat a whole lot -- maybe a teaspoon or two at a time -- when you start. Instead of trying to get her to eat a certain amount, focus on letting her get used to the experience. Swipe to advance1 / 11Start Fruits and Vegetables, One at a Time Fruits, vegetables, grains, and even pureed meats can all be on the menu for your baby. You may want to introduce them one at a time to see how your little one reacts to the flavor and texture and to make sure no allergies develop. If your baby won't eat them at first, try again later. Babies need to reject a food at least 5 to 10 times on different occasions before you can truly say they don't like the food. Tell your pediatrician if you think your baby might have any food allergies to any new foods tried. Use soft baby food from a jar, or soften foods by heating and/or pureeing them. Put just enough on the spoon for your baby to swallow easily. Don't force feed the food. Swipe to advance1 / 11Avoid Milk and Honey Most pediatricians say you should wait until after your baby's first birthday to start offering cow's milk. That’s because some babies may have a hard time digesting it before then. And, don't give honey to babies younger than 1 year. That’s because of a possible botulism risk that a baby's developing immune system can't fend off. Swipe to advance1 / 11Stop When Baby's Ready to Stop Your baby will let you know when he’s done eating. He might swat at the spoon, turn his head away, zip his lips tightly, spit out whatever you put in his mouth, or cry. Don't make him eat more than he wants. Kids will eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. Honoring those instincts may help them avoid overeating now and when they get older. Swipe to advance1 / 11Got a Fussy Eater? Don't Fret Just because your baby doesn't immediately like a new food doesn't mean he’s doomed to be picky forever. Wait a few days and try again. And again. And again … It may take your child more than a couple of times before she’s ready to give peas a chance. Remember, you're a role model, so your baby may be more interested in foods she sees you eating and enjoying. But don't force your child to eat, and don't make a big deal about new foods. Swipe to advance1 / 11It's Going to Get Messy As your baby grows, he'll try to feed himself. Chances are, a good bit of food is heading for his face, hands, hair, bib, clothes, or high chair tray -- not to mention you or any surfaces within flinging range. Learning to eat solid food is a full-body, tactile experience for your baby. Put a mat underneath his highchair to catch some of the mess, dress accordingly, and be patient -- this phase won't last forever. Swipe to advance1 / 11Try Finger Foods When Baby's Ready Around 9 months or so, your baby will be able to pick up small pieces of soft table food to eat. You'll still need to spoon-feed for a while, and continue formula or breast milk. Some great "finger foods" include ripe banana pieces, cooked chunks of carrots, cottage cheese, well-cooked pasta, dry cereal, and scrambled eggs. Avoid choking hazards like hard candy, chips, raw vegetables, grapes or raisins, hard cheese, and whole hot dogs. Swipe to advance Up Next Next Slideshow Title Skip Ad1 / 11 Skip Ad Sources | Medically Reviewed on 10/18/2016This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.  The Size of Your Babyâs Stomach: Breastfeeding in the Early Days The Size of Your Baby’s Stomach: Breastfeeding in the Early Days April 7, 2015It’s totally common for a new mom to doubt her breast milk supply and question whether she’s making enough milk to satisfy her little one. But, even though your breasts might only produce a few drops of colostrum (“first milk”) in the days after you give birth, that breast milk is the perfect nutrition for your baby. Colostrum is nutrient-rich and contains a high concentration of antibodies while helping to gently clear baby’s intestine. Understanding how milk production works – and what your baby really needs – can help give peace of mind in the early days. If you’re not sure that baby is getting enough, you can ask yourself these questions: Is your baby breastfeeding frequently? In general, a baby should nurse 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period for the first few days to weeks. Breastfeeding frequently will also help you establish and maintain your supply because your breasts produce milk on a supply-and-demand basis. Does your baby determine the length of feedings? It’s best to let your baby determine when a feeding is over and avoid ending a feeding before they are finished. Your baby will either come off the breast or fall asleep when they’re done eating. Also, pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues. How much weight is your baby gaining? By 10-14 days after birth, your baby should recover any lost birth weight. Then, for the first 4 months of a baby’s life, average weight gain is about 5-7 ounces per week. If baby is growing normally, you can be confident that your supply is providing your baby with the nutrition they need. How does your baby look and act? In general, if your baby is receiving enough breast milk they should look outwardly healthy and be active, alert and content. How many wet and dirty diapers is your little one having each day? Look for your little one to have at least 6 wet diapers and 3 yellow stools per day by about day five after birth. This pattern generally continues for the first 6 months. Are you hearing swallows during feedings? While feeding, you should be able to hear your little one swallowing as your milk flows. You might question whether baby is removing enough milk from your breasts – but your milk supply changes to meet your baby’s needs and their tiny stomach can’t hold large amounts of breast milk yet. In fact, here are some general ranges for full-term infant stomach size from birth to two weeks: [ Image updated: 12/21/15]Did you doubt your supply when you first started breastfeeding? When did you start to feel more confident about your milk production? CATEGORIZED UNDERBreastfeeding Issues, Breastfeeding Tips COMMENTS104 Comments  Baby Feeding Schedules Babies Baby Food Baby Feeding Schedules Infant and child nutrition By Vincent Iannelli, MD, a board-certified physician Updated June 22, 2017Share Pin Email Print Richard Drury/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images Parents, especially first-time ones, often look for specific rules about what to feed their baby and how much to give them at every stage of their first year of life. Unfortunately, those parents that look for rigid rules and feeding schedules are going to be disappointed when they don't find a one size fits all diet for their baby. While they may have an average baby that fits on an average schedule of when you might start cereal, baby food, finger food, and table food, they might have a baby that wants to start a little later or go a little slower. Breastfeeding Although newborns breastfeed about 8 to 12 times a day, once they are breastfeeding and gaining weight well, they may space out their feedings to just 8 times a day. After that, a nursing baby may want to nurse more often during a growth spurt, but will likely be breastfeeding about:7 to 8 times a day by 3 to 4 months of age5 to 7 times a day by 5 to 6 months of age4 to 6 times a day between 7 and 12 months of age3 to 4 times a day after 12 months of age until the baby and breastfeeding mom are ready to wean Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that 'breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child. 'If a breastfeeding mother weans before a baby is 12 months old, then the baby should be given an iron-fortified baby formula. Baby Formula The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in the book Your Baby's First Year, says, "most babies are satisfied with 3 to 4 ounces per feeding during the first month, and increase that amount by 1 ounce per month until reaching 8 ounces." For a 2-month-old, that means that your baby will probably be drinking about 4 to 5 ounces of baby formula at a time. Some babies never reach 8 ounces, though, topping out at 5 to 6 ounces at a feeding. The AAP provides another guideline about baby formula, suggesting that "on average, your baby should take in about 2 1/2 ounces of formula a day for every pound of body weight." So for an average 2-month-old boy who weighs 12 pounds, that would be about 30 ounces a day. Keep in mind that the average baby drinks:4 to 6 bottles of formula until they are about 6 months old3 to 5 bottles of formula between 7 and 9 months of age3 to 4 bottles of formula between 10 and 12 months of age3 to 4 bottles of whole milk or a toddler formula once they are 12 months old Cereal and Baby Food When should you start cereal? Do you start vegetables or fruits next? How much baby food should your baby be eating when he is 6, 7, or 9 months old? Once you and your baby have decided that it is the right time to start cereal when your baby is 4 to 6 months old, get your box of dry baby rice cereal and a feeding bowl ready. You will then mix about 1 teaspoon of cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons of pumped breast milk or formula (or even water) to get the cereal to a "good" consistency. At first, that will mean that the cereal will not have much consistency to it at all. As your baby does well eating the cereal, add less liquid so that it is thicker. After starting with just 1 or 2 teaspoons at a time, your baby will likely move up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of cereal once or twice a day. Keep in mind that experts usually recommend that an iron-fortified rice cereal is the first food that you give to your baby. Once your baby is tolerating rice cereal for a few weeks or months, you can then try oatmeal, barley, wheat, and then mixed cereal, in that order. You can start other types of baby food once your baby isn't satisfied just eating cereal, for example when she is already eating 3 or 4 tablespoons of cereal once or twice a day and still seems hungry. Experts usually advise adding a vegetable to your baby's diet, before you start fruits, just because your baby might prefer the sweeter taste of fruits if you start them first. A mild tasting vegetable, such as green beans, peas, squash or carrots, are usually one of the baby foods that are started first. Like cereal, start with a few teaspoons and then work your way up to 3 or 4 tablespoons once or twice a day. In general, most babies are eating:3 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once a day and 1 to 2 tablespoons of a vegetable and fruit 1 or 2 times a day around the time they are 4 to 6 months old, with many infants being able to wait until they are 6 months old to start cereal and baby food3 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once a day, 2 to 3 tablespoons of a vegetable and fruit twice a day, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of a meat and protein food once a day around the time they are 7 months old4 to 8 tablespoons of cereal once a day, 2 to 4 tablespoons of a vegetable and fruit twice a day, and 1 to 3 tablespoons of a meat and protein food twice a day around the time they are 8 to 12 months old As your baby gets older, he will move through the classic baby food stages and steps, starting with pureed, single ingredient baby foods and gradually moving up to stage 3 foods that have more texture. Finger Foods and Table Foods By 8 to 9 months of age, your baby can grasp food and get it to his mouth. He will likely enjoy feeding himself and will be more successful if you serve the right foods in the right sizes. Unlike starting baby food, which parents often are excited about, many dread starting finger foods because they are worried about the choking hazard. Watch your baby carefully as you give him very small pieces of the following finger foods, avoiding choke foods, such as whole grapes, raisins, raw vegetables, and large chunks of cheese: Cheerios Gerber Graduates Fruit and Vegetable Puffs Toasted bread crusts Crackers Zwieback toast Cooked pasta Slices of a ripe peach, pear, or banana Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melt Snacks Once you child has mastered eating finger foods, you might add rice and small bite-size cheese cubes. You can also usually introduce yogurt at this age. By the end of his first year or beginning of his second year, your baby will likely be eating the food that the rest of the family is eating. Review which foods you should avoid feeding your babies, such as honey, egg whites, and cow's milk, and whether or not your baby needs vitamins, as you figure out your baby's feeding schedule. Foods to Avoid Just as important as knowing when to start each food, you should know which baby foods to avoid during your baby's first year, including: Honey (botulism risk)Egg whites ( food allergy risk)Homemade baby food made with beets, carrots, collard greens, spinach, and turnips (high nitrate levels)Cow's milk (no iron and not tolerated as well as breastmilk or baby formula)Foods that are a choking hazard Vitamins Does your baby need vitamins? Everyone needs vitamins. The real question is does your baby need extra vitamins that he isn't getting from the foods he is eating? Your baby needs: Iron, which he can get from an iron-fortified baby cereal and later, other iron rich foods Fluoride, which he can get from drinking fluoridated water, keeping in mind that most brands of bottled water are not fluoridated Vitamin D, which he can get from baby formula, although exclusively breastfeeding babies will need a vitamin D supplement Source: AAP Policy Statement. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. PEDIATRICS Vol. 115 No. 2 February 2005, pp. 496-506.  The Amount of Formula to Use for Feedings Babies Formula The Amount of Formula to Use for Feedings By Vincent Iannelli, MD, a board-certified physician Updated June 29, 2017Share Pin Email Print Malek Chamoun/Photodisc/Getty Images There is no specific amount of formula that all babies should be eating each day. While some infants may be eating just 24 ounces a day, others may need 32 ounces or more. Rules of Formula Feeding A good rule of thumb is that the average baby at this age is likely to drink about 5 to 6 ounces of formula every 3 to 5 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in the book Your Baby's First Year, also provides a nice guideline and suggests that 'on average, your baby should take in about 2 1/2 ounces of formula a day for every pound of body weight.' So for an average 3-month-old baby boy who weighs 13 pounds, that would be about 32 1/2 ounces a day. The AAP also states that 'most babies are satisfied with 3 to 4 ounces per feeding during the first month, and increase that amount by 1 ounce per month until reaching 8 ounces. 'Keep in mind that these are still averages, though, and some babies require more or less formula at each feeding and on each day. If your baby seems satisfied between feedings and is gaining weight normally, then he is likely eating enough. If your baby is consistently eating more or less than these averages, though, you might see your pediatrician and make sure that you are recognizing your baby's hunger signals and that he is gaining weight normally. Sleeping Through the Night As to when he is going to have his last feeding of the night, that is going to depend on your baby too. While some infants are already sleeping through the night by 3 months, others still need at least one feeding. If your baby is waking up and you aren't sure if he is really hungry, you can try to settle him down and put him back to bed and see what happens. If he won't go back to bed until he is fed or quickly wakes up again, then you likely need to continue with middle of the night feedings for a few more weeks or months. Keep in mind that many people believe that reaching the milestone of sleeping through the night is more a developmental thing, and not necessarily related to hunger. That is why feeding cereal at bedtime often doesn't help a baby sleep longer. What To Know About Feeding Your Baby In addition to these tips, other things to know about feeding your baby formula include that: Choosing a baby formula is not as complicated as many ads and articles make it out to be. While parents have many baby formula choices these days, there is really no single best formula for every baby. Talk to your pediatrician before you switch formula, especially if you are concerned about the latest formula marketing trends. You should never warm up your baby's formula bottles in a microwave oven. Don't make the switch to whole milk until your infant is at least 12 months old. Because of the risk of fluorosis, or getting too much fluoride, which can lead to tooth staining, the American Dental Association (ADA) has advised that parents limit the amount of fluoridated water that infants under age 12 months get. So instead of using fluoridated tap water or bottled water with fluoride, the ADA recommends mixing formula with fluoride-free bottled water. Still, by the time they are 6 months old, babies begin to need some fluoride for healthy teeth. And don't start solid foods until your baby is at least four to six months old. Sources: ADA. Infants, Formula and Fluoride. http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/advocating-for-the-public/fluoride-and-fluoridation/recent-fluoridation-issues/infant-formula-and-fluoridated-water . American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report. Diagnosis and Prevention of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Infant and Young Children. Pediatrics. November 2010, VOLUME 126 / ISSUE 5. 