Learning to Diaper Your New Baby

Learning to Diaper Your New Baby

April 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

While it might be one of the most basic baby care activities, diapering your new baby isn’t necessarily the simplest. Deciding between disposable diapers and cloth, mastering the skill of changing a baby without a mess, and dealing with diaper rash all add to the complexity of this universal baby care task.

Disposable vs. Cloth

Since disposable diapers became widely available, they have been the popular choice for new moms. Quick disposal of stinky messes, no diapers to wash, and no difficult pins to deal with are just some of the reasons moms reach for disposables. Today’s disposable diapers are highly absorbent and contain leaks very well. The downside to disposable diapers is that they are expensive and not exactly good for the environment. Because they are made of materials that don’t break down easily, disposable diapers will spend a long, long time in landfills.

Cloth diapers, once the only choice, have recently seen a resurgence in popularity due to both growing environmental concerns and the production of new, easier to use cloth designs. No more pins or folding – cloth diapers now come ready to use with advanced fasteners that won’t poke you or your baby if your fingers slip. Cloth diapers require a little more work for parents, as they need to be washed. While they will save you money in the long run, they do require an up-front expenditure that can be quite pricey, especially for some of the fancier new types of cloth diapers on the market.

Recently, some hybrid choices have appeared that combine a reusable diaper cover with a disposable liner. The G Diaper brand offers both convenience and environmental friendliness with a flushable, biodegradable liner that is used with a washable diaper.

Changing a Diaper

On the surface, it’s an easy task, but any new parent will tell you it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Especially as your baby grows older and starts to wiggle around, changing a diaper can be a challenge. Before you start to remove the old diaper, be sure to slip a new one underneath. That way you will have it ready to put on quickly when the old one is removed. Make sure everything you need is within your reach – never walk away from a baby on a changing table, even one you don’t think can roll over yet!

There are a number of gimmicky items on the market intended to prevent accidents from getting all over the place. A simple washcloth draped over baby while you change him will serve the same purpose. After wiping baby clean, you can also use the washcloth to gently pat him dry before putting the clean diaper on.

As baby gets older, you will want to keep a few small toys in the changing area to occupy him while you get his diaper changed. It will prevent him from wiggling too much or trying to get his hands in the dirty diaper.

Diaper Rash

If your baby develops a diaper rash, you can treat it with over the counter ointments. Try to let his bottom air out as much as possible to keep the rash dry. Be sure to change his diaper frequently, and if regular wipes seem to hurt him try a warm, damp washcloth instead. If the rash does not improve with this treatment, contact your child’s pediatrician, as it could be a sign of a yeast infection that requires further care.

Changing your baby’s diaper will become easier with practice, and you will find that you can accomplish the task more quickly and will less mess the more you do it.

Choices for Feeding Your Baby

Choices for Feeding Your Baby

April 5th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

One of the most important decisions you will need to make when preparing for the arrival of your new baby is how you plan to feed her. This can be a difficult and emotional topic for many new mothers, but making the decision is a little easier when you know the facts about both breast and formula feeding.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics along with countless other medical associations all make the same recommendation: breastfeeding is the best choice for newborns. Human breast milk contains everything your baby needs to stay healthy and grow strong, including many compounds that can not be imitated by any commercial formula available today. Colostrum, the earliest breast milk that is produced in the first days after your baby’s birth, is rich in nutrients and antibodies that can’t be found anywhere else. These antibodies are crucial to strengthening your baby’s immune system.

Every mother’s breast milk is unique, and tailored precisely to the baby’s needs. Studies have shown that the composition of breast milk changes over time as your baby grows and her nutritional needs change. A mother’s body is also capable of compensating for premature birth by producing breast milk specific to the needs of a preterm infant.

Breast fed babies have a lower risk of a long list of problems later in life, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, and allergies. Because of the antibodies in breast milk, breast fed infants will catch fewer colds in the first years and generally maintain better health overall.

Breastfeeding has other benefits as well. It costs significantly less than formula feeding, you won’t spend a lot of time on washing and sanitizing bottles, and you won’t have to worry about bringing a lot of gear with you everywhere you go. Recent research has also shown that mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

While some mothers are concerned that breastfeeding will leave the new dad out of the feeding process, a breast pump can easily solve this problem. This way, dad can take on some of the night feedings while you get some much-needed rest.

Formula Feeding

There are a number of reasons for choosing formula feeding for your newborn. Some mothers may have difficulty with milk supply or illnesses which could be transferred to the baby through breast milk. Mothers of adopted infants will not have the necessary hormones from pregnancy to produce breast milk. Working mothers may find pumping at work difficult or in some cases nearly impossible.

Formula feeding also offers the benefit of making the new dad an equal partner in the feeding process, without the extra work of having to pump breast milk for him to use. Dads can mix a bottle and feed the baby without ever having to disturb your much-needed sleep.

Today’s formulas offer better nutrition than ever before, and there are a number of formula choices on the market in case your baby’s stomach is sensitive and you need to try a different brand.

The Third Choice: Compromise

Many new mothers see the breast or formula feeding choice as an all or nothing proposition, but there is plenty of room for compromise. A combination of breast and formula feeding will ensure your baby reaps some of the benefits of breast milk while taking some of the pressure off of an already exhausted mom.

You may wish to breastfeed while you are on maternity leave, and then switch to formula when you return to work. Your baby will still have received many of the important antibodies provided by the early milk.

Whatever your choice, remember that a relaxed, happy mom is important to baby’s health and happiness too. Don’t let your feeding choice become a source of major stress in your life at a time when you need all your strength to care for your new baby.

Preparing Your Older Children for the New Baby

Preparing Your Older Children for the New Baby

April 4th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Bringing a new baby home doesn’t just change your life; it also changes the lives of your older children. Especially if your firstborn was an only child prior to the new arrival, it can be a time of upheaval and confusion. Preparing your child for the new role of older sibling is important to a smooth transition into life with a new addition.

And Then There Were Two

When you are preparing for a second child, your firstborn will be getting ready to lose his comfortable number one position in your hearts. Sharing mom and dad’s attention is not something he is used to, and it will take some effort to help him to understand that while the new baby is going to need a lot of love and attention, you still have plenty for him.

How you explain the impending arrival to your first born will depend on his age. Very young children may not fully understand what you are trying to say; toddlers and preschoolers may understand better if you get a few books about becoming a sibling. The pictures in the book and simple text will make it easier to explain what it means that a new baby will be joining the family.

Getting Siblings Involved

A great way to get your older children excited about their soon to arrive sibling is to get them involved in the preparations for the baby’s arrival. Let them help to pick out items for the baby, and help you to decorate the nursery. Involve them in the process of choosing a name for the baby. Young children may have some strange suggestions, but there is no reason not to put “SpongeBob” on the name list, even if it’s not really under consideration.

If you have a much older child, consider asking if she would like to take a babysitting course. She will learn a lot about how to help care for her sibling, and that knowledge will make her feel more confident in the position of big sister as well as a great help to you.

When Baby Comes

As your due date approaches, you should make arrangements for the care of younger children during your hospital stay. Make sure they know what is going to happen and aren’t surprised to wake up to Grandma’s face instead of yours. If you will need to send them to a friend or family member’s house for a few days, help them to pack a bag ahead of time and keep it with your prepared hospital bag so you can head out the door quickly. Make sure they don’t leave home without any comfort items they are used to having, such as a blanket or a stuffed animal.

Young children may find the idea of mommy going to the hospital a little frightening, so be sure they know that you aren’t sick and will be home in a few days. If you plan to have your children visit you with the new baby, check hospital regulations on young visitors ahead of time, and make sure that sick kids stay home as newborns are very susceptible to illness.

The arrival of a new baby is a source of upheaval for everyone in the home, but perhaps most for the older children. You may see some behavior that is out of character for your kids, a result of jealousy or simply an attempt to get your attention. As trying as it can be, cut your older kids a little slack in those first weeks. They are going through an adjustment period too, and will soon get used to the changes.

Baby’s Bed: Purchasing and Preparing a Crib

Baby’s Bed: Purchasing and Preparing a Crib

April 3rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Of all the things you will need for your new baby, the crib is one of the most important. Your baby will be spending a lot of time in his crib, and you will want to make sure he is both safe and comfortable.

Choosing a Crib

With the recent increase in crib recalls, choosing a crib should be undertaken with caution. While recalled cribs should be pulled from stores, mistakes can happen, so be sure to check any crib you are considering against recall lists. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers up to date recall information on their website at http://www.cpsc.gov. You can save money by buying a used crib, but be extra cautious. In addition to ensuring that the crib hasn’t been recalled, check it over carefully for any signs of damage or wear. Also, older cribs may not be up to current safety standards, so check with CPSC standards before buying.

There are three basic types of cribs: standard solid cribs, drop-side cribs, and convertible cribs. Standard cribs are solid and do not have moving parts. Drop-side cribs have one side that slides down to make it easier to get baby in and out. Convertible cribs are often drop-side cribs as well, but also convert to a toddler bed and sometimes also to a full sized bed. These cribs sometimes require the purchase of separate kits for the conversion.

Most of the crib recalls in recent years have involved drop-side and convertible cribs, which has led major retailers such as Toys R Us to remove drop-side cribs from their stores entirely. If you are certain you wish to purchase a drop-side or convertible crib, be careful choosing one. Stick to higher-end, well made models, and register your crib so that you will be notified immediately of any recall.

Setting Up a Safe Crib

In order to reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that you keep the crib free of loose blankets, stuffed animals and other items that could cause suffocation. You should not use a standard crib bumper as they present a suffocation risk to your baby; however, a breathable mesh bumper is considered a safe choice for keeping baby’s arms and legs from getting caught in the rails. Remember that until your baby starts to roll over, there is really very little danger of this happening, so a bumper isn’t necessary. Aside from this type of bumper, the only things that should be in the crib are a securely fitted mattress cover and sheet.

Look for a firm crib mattress that fits snugly inside the crib. Although mattresses and cribs come in standard sizes these days, there is always room for error. Try to push a finger in between the mattress and the side of the crib. If you can fit more than one finger, the mattress isn’t snug enough.

When putting your crib together, follow the directions carefully. You should check all screws and bolts regularly to ensure everything is still tight.

Mobiles are a popular crib decoration, but make sure they are securely fastened. As soon as your baby is able to sit up on her own, the mobile should be removed as she may be able to reach it.

When you place your baby in her crib to sleep, you want to know she is safe. Follow all of these precautions when purchasing and setting up the crib, and you will have the peace of mind of knowing you have done everything possible to provide your baby with a safe place to rest her little head.

How to Swaddle Your Baby

How to Swaddle Your Baby

April 2nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When your baby was brought to you shortly after birth, she was likely wrapped tightly in a blanket, arms inside so that only her head was visible. You may have watched in amazement as the nurses took a small square blanket and created a cocoon from it for your little one. The practice of swaddling babies is very common in hospitals, and with good reason. The tightly wound blanket mimics the closeness of the womb, which is a comfort to a newborn who has suddenly emerged into a new and frightening world.

Swaddling and Sleep

Babies who are swaddled tend to sleep better than those who are not, both because of the comforting feeling and also because the startle reflex common to newborns is less likely to wake them. Swaddled babies are also at a lower risk of SIDS as they are not in danger of suffocation due to loose blankets; however, be sure to use a lightweight blanket when swaddling to prevent baby from overheating, a risk factor for SIDS. If your baby’s face appears flushed or she feels sweaty when you unwrap her, the blanket may be too warm.

Learning to Swaddle

If you find yourself frustrated by attempts to create that perfect swaddle that appeared so easy when the nurses did it, you are not alone. Many parents find themselves stumped by how to manipulate a blanket for effective swaddling. While there are many different swaddling techniques, here is a step-by-step method for a very simple swaddle.

  1. Choose a light, thin blanket made of a fabric that is not slippery. Make sure the blanket is neither too small nor too large. Both excess fabric and not quite enough can make swaddling difficult.
  2. Lay the blanket out on a flat surface. The floor is often the easiest place to learn the technique.
  3. Take one corner of the blanket and fold it down to create a small triangle.
  4. Lay the baby on the blanket so that his shoulders line up just below the folded edge.
  5. Take the pointed piece of the blanket that is below the baby’s feet, and fold it upwards so that it points towards his chin.
  6. Take one side of the blanket and fold it over the baby’s body, then tuck it tightly underneath him so that his arms are held at his sides.
  7. Finally, pull the other side over and tuck it under baby’s body. When you lay him down to sleep, ensure this end is beneath him to keep him swaddled.

Make sure that the baby is swaddled tightly enough to keep the blankets from coming loose and to create the feeling of security, but be careful not to swaddle too tightly to avoid compressing the baby’s chest and making breathing difficult. If your baby is fighting the swaddle, it may be too tight.

Making it Easier

If despite your best efforts you just can’t seem to master swaddling, don’t sweat it. There are now a number of products available to make swaddling easier and faster. They use fasteners such as Velcro to keep the blanket in place, and are so easy to use you will probably be able to re-swaddle your baby half asleep and in the dark after that midnight diaper change.

Swaddling is a very old practice and still popular for good reason; it comforts baby, helps him sleep, and also keeps him warm without the danger of loose blankets. With a little practice you can learn to swaddle your baby safely and effectively.

How to Trim Your Baby’s Nails

How to Trim Your Baby’s Nails

April 1st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Babies have tiny, sharp little nails that grow incredibly fast. Keeping them trimmed is often a challenge for new parents, and can be a little scary. It’s important however to do it regularly, as babies can scratch their faces and even their eyes; not to mention they can scratch you as well. With the right tools and a few easy tips, you can make sure it goes smoothly every time.

Selecting Nail Clippers and Files

When choosing tools for trimming your baby’s nails, you will want to keep a few things in mind. Pick clippers with a comfortable, easy to hold non-slip grip. Some clippers even have a small magnifying glass or a built-in light to allow you to better see those tiny nails. There are nail files available specifically for baby nails, and they are probably the best choice. Make sure the file isn’t too rough that it might damage the skin on baby’s delicate fingertips.

Choose the Time and Place

The best time to trim your baby’s nails is when she is sleepy or relaxed. She will be less likely to wiggle or squirm when she isn’t too active. Some parents even find it easiest to get the job done when the baby is asleep; however, you do run the risk of waking the baby. A good time is after a meal or play time when she is feeling tired, but also calm and happy.

You should always trim your baby’s nails in a well-lit room where you can really see what you are doing. If she dislikes having her nails trimmed, enlist the help of a second person to keep her distracted by talking to her or showing her a fun toy.

Nail Trimming Procedure

Sit comfortably with baby in your lap, facing out, which gives the best access to baby’s fingernails. Hold his hand in yours with the finger you are working on between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, while the other operates the clippers. Make sure that your grip is firm enough that any sudden motion the baby makes won’t cause you to lose control and accidentally clip his skin, but not too tight that it is uncomfortable for him. Take your time, and take a break between hands if your baby won’t sit still long enough.

Toenails don’t need trimming quite as often, as they don’t tend to grow as fast and are worn down by contact with socks. They also aren’t as likely to scratch your baby or anyone else. Still, it needs to be done on a regular basis. To get at those little toenails, try lying baby across your lap, or lying him down on the floor or couch with his feet on your lap. Again hold each toe between thumb and forefinger as you trim.

After clipping, gently file down any sharp corners the clippers may have left behind. Run your finger over the nail to ensure it’s completely smooth.

If the nail clippers make you nervous, you can do the entire job with the file. It might take a little longer, so be sure your baby is in the right mood to be patient. Gently file in the same direction as a slight angle until the nail is short enough and smooth.

After you have been trimming baby’s nails for a while, you will find it goes faster and becomes easier. As his little hands get bigger, you will be able to see the nails better, and with time you will become more confident.

The First Days with Your New Baby

The First Days with Your New Baby

March 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There is nothing like the magical moment when you see your long-awaited baby for the first time. The first few days of life with baby are both the most wonderful and some of the most challenging for new parents. Suddenly everything has changed, and your world revolves around this tiny little person whose health and well-being are entirely in your hands.

What Your Baby Looks Like

Years of seeing babies being “born” on television and in movies have ill prepared new parents for the reality of a newborn. Your baby might not be the perfect bundle of joy you were expecting. The process of birth can be difficult on a baby, especially with a long vaginal birth. You might see things like a cone-shaped head, squished nose, and red marks on baby’s face and body.

Babies often have blotchy skin and still have some of the waxy white coating on their skin known as vernix, which covers a baby’s skin in the uterus to protect it from the long exposure to amniotic fluid. It is not uncommon for babies to be born with a little extra hair on their bodies as well. Both of these will soon be gone.

Your baby will also have a piece of the umbilical cord still attached, which will be clamped off at first. This usually falls off within the first few weeks of life. You may notice that your baby’s genitals appear swollen – this is a normal reaction to hormones passed from the mother, and will recede over time.

What Your Baby Needs

In the first days of life, what your baby will do most is eat and sleep. It is not unusual for baby to fall asleep not long after birth; after all, it has been a long and trying day. While it is tempting to stay awake and watch this sleeping miracle you have waited so long to see, new moms should take advantage of their newborn’s naps to get some much needed rest as well. Sleep in the first days will be erratic, so get it while you can!

If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may put her to the breast immediately following birth, but don’t expect much. She may be tired and has not yet mastered latching on, although the sucking reflex is well developed in full-term infants. When she is awake, you can try again. The first few days are a time for mom and baby to learn the ropes of nursing. Don’t be concerned if your baby doesn’t seem to be eating a lot at first. She is still being sustained by nutrients passed through the umbilical cord, and her appetite will soon grow.

It is entirely normal for a newborn to lose up to 10% of her birth weight within the first few days of life. Your doctor will monitor her weight to ensure it starts to climb again.

Bringing Baby Home

Depending on whether you had a vaginal birth or a caesarean section, you will likely be in the hospital for the first 2-4 days of your baby’s life. During this time you will have the assistance of the nurses in caring for your baby. Don’t be surprised if going home, that much anticipated event, feels a bit overwhelming or even frightening. This is a normal reaction to the realization of the monumental task before you.

In these early days, focus on caring for your new baby and yourself. Don’t worry about the housework, and if you have offers of help don’t be afraid to accept. The first days with a newborn are exhausting and challenging, especially for moms recovering from a difficult birth or from a c-section.

Remember that both you and your newborn are making a major adjustment to a whole new life, and there are bound to be some bumps in the road. You will soon settle into a new routine, and things will smooth out again.

Your Baby’s Car Seat: What You Need to Know

Your Baby’s Car Seat: What You Need to Know

March 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

The car seat may be the most important safety product you can buy for your new baby. The number one cause of death in children is car accidents, and a properly installed and used car seat can reduce your child’s risk of death or serious injury in a crash. Unfortunately, as many as 70% of car seats in use today are either improperly installed or not used correctly. Learn the basics of car seats before you take your precious cargo on the road.

Types of Car Seats

There are two types of car seats for babies. The first is the bucket style infant seat, which has a handle for easy carrying and often has a permanent base that is left in the car. The seat latches into the base for travel, and can easily be released. These car seats are popular for young babies, as they allow the parent to remove the entire seat from the car without disturbing a sleeping infant. Infant car seats can only be used in the rear-facing position, and generally have a weight limit of 22-35 pounds.

The second type of car seat is a convertible seat. These car seats have a larger weight range, and can be flipped from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when baby is big enough. Although far more expensive, with some models carrying weight limits ranging from 5-100 pounds, it might be the only car seat you ever have to buy. Convertible car seats are not portable and remain in the car at all times.

While most states mandate that a child remain rear-facing until they are both one year old and weigh 20 pounds, it is now the official recommendation of the AAP that you keep your child rear-facing up to the limit of the car seat, which is 35-40 pounds on most models.

There are a wide variety of car seats on the market with a range of price tags, but all car seats, no matter what the price are subjected to the same safety tests. The only exception to this rule is European seats, which are put through side impact tests as well as front and rear. At this time US car seats are not tested for side impact.

When choosing a car seat, the most important factor is how well it fits in your car. Most stores will allow you to test-fit a floor model before you buy.

Car Seat Installation and Use

Before your baby is born, you should make sure the car seat is installed properly in your vehicle. The car seat should always go in the back seat, in the middle if possible. Newer cars offer the LATCH system, which is a series of built-in tethers specifically for car seats. Check your car’s manual to find out if you have LATCH, and follow both the vehicle and car seat manufacturer’s directions to install the seat. If you don’t have LATCH, follow the directions for installation using your car’s safety belts.

Even if you are sure you have the seat installed right, it’s a good idea to double check. Many children’s stores and also local police or fire departments offer free car seat inspections. Visit www.seatcheck.org to find a free inspection clinic near you. Experts will review the installation of the car seat with you, and also go over how to use it properly.

Every time you put your baby in the car seat, make sure that the harness is properly latched and is tight enough. It might be tempting to skip the car seat on very short trips, but even at low speeds and on short trips, accidents can happen – and your baby could get hurt. The car seat is the most important tool you have to protect your baby on the road, so use it correctly every time!

The Amount of Liquids Your Baby Should Be Drinking at Each Age

The Amount of Liquids Your Baby Should Be Drinking at Each Age

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Babies begin life with a liquid diet of either breast milk, formula or a combination of the two. They should remain on an entirely liquid diet until around six months when solid solid foods are introduced gradually. By a year, your baby should be eating three meals and two snacks a day of table food and drinking milk as a supplement – not a meal. It’s a fast transition for both mother and child, and the most important part of ensuring a smooth transition is determining how much your child should be drinking over that first year.

Birth to Six Months

Breastfeeding

When you breastfeed your baby, you normally don’t have a gauge of how much your baby is actually eating other than the amount of time he spends on each breast. A session of breastfeeding, once established for both mother and child, should take ten to thirty minutes, but can be longer for any number of reasons. As a newborn, your baby might nurse eight to twelve times a day at any interval and this pattern can last up to six months of age.

Bottle Feeding

Formula takes a bit longer to digest, so babies typically wait a bit longer between feedings, and the amounts consumed can vary widely among babies. There is no average amount, but before the introduction of solids, your baby is likely drinking 16 to 32 ounces, or 460 to 940 mL, a day. Some babies drink more or less, and the best way to gauge if the amount is correct is to check your baby’s weight gain and growth over time. Your doctor will be doing this at every appointment.

A more numerical approach to the amount a child should be eating is offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics, -On average, your baby should take in about 2 1/2 ounces of formula a day for every pound of body weight.- This translates to 24 to 36 ounces of formula after four months for most babies.

Six Months to One Year

Around six months you will start introducing solid foods. During this period of introduction, the solid foods are a supplement to the milk-based diet, but over the remaining months, solid food will become the basis of your baby’s diet and he will be supplemented first by breast milk or formula and then by cow’s milk (unless you continue to nurse after this point.)

At six months your child will be nursing on demand or drinking close to 36 ounces of formula per day. This requirement should hold steady over the next few months as you increase his diet in solid foods. As solids become more proficient, milk will actually decrease until he is drinking only about two cups at his first birthday per day. The two cup requirement is an average and is the same for toddlers and young children of all ages.

The Amount of Foods Your Baby Should Be Eating

The Amount of Foods Your Baby Should Be Eating

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

The amount of food your baby requires varies a great deal not only from one developmental stage to the next, but also among babies of the same size and age. Many conditions play into the nutritional requirements of babies, and the best way to determine if the child’s needs are being met is through growth and measurement patterns. If your child is eating a balanced children diet and growing well, you can rest assured he’s likely getting what he needs.

While this is comforting, many parents still prefer to average their child’s food intake at different age. This becomes more important as children reach their first birthday and are taking the bulk of their nutrition from solid baby foods. When trying to help your child meet the minimum requirements for a toddler, be sure to average three days to a week at a time rather than focusing on each day. In a given day a toddler might seem to eat next to nothing in a particular food group, but then compensate by eating large amounts the next day.

Birth to Four Months

From birth, babies are fed breastmilk, formula or a combination of the two. The breastfed baby is eating eight to twelve times a day at random intervals and the formula fed baby is eating six to eight times a day on more regular intervals. The breastfed baby should be nursing ten to forty minutes in a sitting and the formula fed baby should be consuming 16 to 32 ounces on average.

Four to Six Months

The breastfed baby continues on the same track, but with reduced feedings. Occasionally longer stretches of feeding will occur offering you signs that your baby might be ready for a supplement to breastmilk. The formula-fed baby is eating 24-36 ounces of formula on average.

Six to Nine Months

Beginning at six months, the amount of formula and breastmilk should hold steady as you introduce solids. Introduce the solid foods slowly and let your child eat as much as she wants at mealtimes. She is still getting the bulk of her nutrition from milk and formula at this stage, but increasingly she is gaining essential vitamins and nutrients from the solid food. All told, she should have:

  • Breastmilk or formula (24-34 oz.)
  • Half cup of iron-fortified baby cereal per day
  • Soft mashed, ripe or soft-cooked fruits or veggies
  • Strained meats

Ten to Twelve Months

As your child becomes more adaptable with finger foods and is able to eat larger portions from a spoon, her needs for milk or formula will decrease. This means getting a balance of nutrients from solids is even more important as they are becoming the bulk of her diet.

  • Breastmilk or formula (16 – 24 oz.)
  • Cereal, toast, bagels, crackers, dry cereal, whole grain bread, pasta, rice, cooked grains, muffins
  • Fresh, peeled ripe, soft-cooked fruits and veggies
  • You can now also add egg yolk, yogurt and soft-cooked beans

After One Year

At a year, your child might be eating voraciously or starting to slow down as her rate of growth slows. At the minimum, your toddler should be eating:

  • 2 cups of milk (you can switch to whole milk at one year)
  • 4 servings of fruits (a serving is 1-2 tablespoons)
  • 2 servings of meat or the equivalent (a serving is 1-2 tablespoons)
  • 4 servings of breads and cereals (a serving is one quarter of an adult serving)

Be sure that your child gets at least one fruit or vegetable with vitamin C and another with vitamin A every day, and that at least one grain be a serving of iron-fortified cereal.

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