Infant Feeding Guide

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Infant Feeding Guide

Infographic Available*

Feeding
a 0-3
Month Old*

Feeding a 0-3 Month Old*

Newborns have tiny stomachs and need to be fed often. As they grow, babies can hold more milk so feedings may become further apart and take less time. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

If feeding human milk from a bottle, it's helpful to offer smaller amounts at a time to mimic how the baby would feed at the breast. Paced bottle feeding will also help the baby eat more slowly and prevent overfeeding.

View and share the Your Babys Tummy Is Very Small Infographic

Human Milk Click Here
Infant Formula Click Here

Human Milk Click Here

Breastfeed every 1½-3 hours, or 8-12 times in 24 hours.

If bottle feeding, offer a small amount at a time, about 2-3 oz.

View and share the Breastfed Baby Diaper Count Infographic

Infant Formula Click Here

When baby is first born, they only need 1-2 oz. of iron-fortified infant formula at a time. After the first few days, newborns usually take 2-3 oz. of formula every 3-4 hours.

By the end of the first month, your newborn may take up to 4 oz. every 4 hours.

6-8 lbs: 15-20 oz./day
8-10 lbs: 20-25 oz./day
10-12 lbs: 25-32 oz./day

Feeding a 4-5
Month Old

Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.

During growth spurts, at 2 to 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3-4 months, and 6 months, your baby may need to eat more often.

Human Milk Click Here
Infant Formula Click Here

Human Milk Click Here

Breastfeed your baby on-demand, at least 7-9 times in 24 hours.

If bottle feeding, offer a small amount at a time, about 4-6 oz.

When your baby starts teething, they may want to nurse more often.

Infant Formula Click Here

Your baby needs about 4-6 oz. of iron-fortified formula every 3-4 hours, a total of 25-45 oz. per day.

Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

Feeding a 6-7
Month Old

Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

Offer solids from a spoon or as finger foods. Load the spoon with food then let your baby feed themselves. Do not give foods or cereals in a bottle.

Human Milk Click Here
Infant Formula Click Here

Human Milk Click Here

Continue to breastfeed on-demand, at least 4-6 times in 24 hours.

If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.

Try offering human milk in a cup.

Infant Formula Click Here

Offer 24-32 oz. per day of iron-fortified infant formula.

Offer formula in a cup.

Grains Click Here
Vegetables Click Here
Fruits Click Here
Proteins Click Here

Grains Click Here

Use human milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp. iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day.

2-4 Tbsp. of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal. Offer twice per day.

Spoon

Vegetables Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.

Spoon

Fruits Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits.

Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.

Spoon

Proteins Click Here

2-4 Tbsp. per day.

Plain strained, mashed or pureed meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or legumes.

Smooth whole milk yogurt.

Smooth, creamy peanut butter, spread thin on a cracker or mixed with applesauce and cinnamon and spread on bread.

Spoon

Here are some examples of what meal and snack portion sizes might look like on my plate.

Breakfast

3 Tbsp. mashed banana

Human milk or formula

2 Tbsp. prepared infant cereal

Lunch

3 Tbsp. sliced, baked sweet potato sticks

Human milk or formula

3 Tbsp. chicken puree

Snacks

3 Tbsp. baked, sliced apple

Human milk or formula

Dinner

3 Tbsp. cooked, mashed peas

2 Tbsp. whole grain toast sticks

Human milk or formula

Feeding a 8-9
Month Old

Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

As your baby grows and learns new eating skills, try different textures and foods.

Human Milk Click Here
Infant Formula Click Here

Human Milk Click Here

Continue nursing on-demand, at least 4 times in 24 hours.

If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

Offer human milk in a cup.

Infant Formula Click Here

24-32 oz. per day.

Offer formula in a cup.

Grains Click Here
Vegetables Click Here
Fruits Click Here
Proteins Click Here

Grains Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Plain iron-fortified infant cereals.

Plain rice or pasta.

Baby crackers, small pieces of bread, or soft tortillas.

Spoon

Vegetables Click Here

8-12 Tbsp. per day.

Plain, cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.

Spoon

Fruits Click Here

8-12 Tbsp. per day.

Peeled soft fruit in bite-size pieces.

Unsweetened canned fruit.

Spoon

Proteins Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked beans.

Cottage cheese or mild cheese.

Smooth, creamy peanut butter, spread thin.

Spoon

Here are some examples of what meal and snack portion sizes might look like on my plate.

Breakfast

Human milk or formula

2 Tbsp. wheat bread, small pieces

2 Tbsp. scrambled eggs

Lunch

4 Tbsp. chopped raspberries

5 Tbsp. cooked, chopped green beans

Human milk or formula

2 Tbsp. cooked, chopped chicken

Snacks

2 Tbsp. chopped kiwi

Human milk or formula

3 Tbsp. cut up corn tortilla

Dinner

4 Tbsp. chopped, unsweetened canned pears

5 Tbsp. cooked, cut up broccoli

Human milk or formula

3 Tbsp. cooked whole grain pasta

2 Tbsp. cooked black beans

Feeding a
10-12 Month
Old

Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

Human milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods. Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

Human Milk Click Here
Infant Formula Click Here

Human Milk Click Here

Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.

Infant Formula Click Here

16-24 oz. per day.

Offer formula in a cup.

Grains Click Here
Vegetables Click Here
Fruits Click Here
Proteins Click Here

Grains Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Unsweetened, mixed, and high protein cereals.

Dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, or plain muffins.

Cooked rice and noodles.

Spoon

Vegetables Click Here

8-12 Tbsp. per day.

Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.

Spoon

Fruits Click Here

8-12 Tbsp. per day.

Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.

Spoon

Proteins Click Here

4-8 Tbsp. per day.

Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans.

Spoon

Here are some examples of what meal and snack portion sizes might look like on my plate.

Breakfast

3 Tbsp. diced strawberries

Human milk or formula

2 Tbsp. dry cereal

Lunch

3 Tbsp. diced, unsweetened canned peaches

4 Tbsp. diced cooked broccoli

Human milk or formula

3 Tbsp. canned salmon

Snacks

4 Tbsp. applesauce

3 Tbsp. chopped, cooked carrots

Human milk or formula

4 whole grain crackers

Dinner

3 Tbsp. cooked mixed vegetables

Human milk or formula

3 Tbsp. chopped, cooked noodles

3 Tbsp. cooked mashed pinto beans

Tips

Feeding human milk and formula:

Human milk or formula is all your baby needs for the first six months of life. Your baby’s digestive system is not ready for anything else until about 6 months of age.

Feed your baby on-demand, when they show signs of hunger, like sucking on their hands or smacking their lips. Stop feeding when they show signs they are full, like turning their head away, relaxing their hands, or falling asleep.

If bottle feeding, offer a small amount at a time. Hold baby in an almost upright position, supporting the head and neck. Do not prop the bottle. Hold the bottle in a flat, sideways position so the nipple is half full of milk. Touch the nipple to baby’s cheek or top lip and wait for baby to open their mouth wide. Do not force the bottle. After baby latches, do not lean them back or tilt the bottle up. Watch baby for pauses and lower the bottle so the nipple is empty but remains in the mouth to give baby breaks. If baby stops sucking, turns away, or falls asleep, end the feeding. Never force your baby to finish a bottle.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for 2 years, or longer, as desired by mother and baby.

Feeding solid foods:

Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

Can sit up and hold up their own head.
Opens their mouth when they see food.
Can close their lips around a spoon.

Try one new food at a time to watch for allergies.
Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

Babies under one year should NOT have honey, cow’s milk or other non-dairy drinks, or foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

All babies are different.
Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

Early Cues

I'm Hungry Click Here
I'm Full Click Here

I'm Hungry Click Here

Stirring
Mouth opening
Turning head seeking/rooting

I'm Full Click Here

Sucking slows or stops
Hands/arms relax
Turns or pushes away

Introducing Peanut Butter:

Research suggests trying peanut butter as a baby may help prevent a peanut allergy later in life. This can be especially important for families with food or egg related allergies, like eczema or other skin issues. Talk with your baby’s doctor about introducing peanut butter if your family has one of these conditions.

Introduce your baby to peanut butter around 6 months of age, after they have tried other solid foods. Watch your baby for any reaction for two hours after they try it.

Mix peanut butter with water, formula, human milk, or food:

Thin 2 tsp. of peanut butter with 2-3 tsp. hot water, formula, or human milk. Allow to cool before serving.
Blend 2 tsp. of peanut butter into 2-3 Tbsp. of foods like infant cereal or pureed fruits, vegetables, chicken, or tofu.
Spread a small, thin smear of peanut butter on a cracker or toast stick.

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