Baby feeding and nutrition
Feeding
Age | Amount of formula^ | Number of feedings per 24 hours | Development | Solid foods | Water |
1 month | 2 to 4 ounces per feeding | 6 to 8 times | No | No | |
2 months | 5 to 6 ounces per feeding | 5 to 6 times | No | No | |
3 to 5 months | 6 to 7 ounces per feeding | 5 to 6 times | No | No | |
4 to 6 months | 28 to 32 ounces per day | 4 to 6 times | Make first cereal feedings very soupy and thicken slowly. | Yes | No |
7 months | 30 to 32 ounces per day | 3 to 5 times | Start finger foods and cup. | Yes | Yes |
8 months | 30 to 32 ounces per day | 3 to 5 times | Formula intake decreases; solid foods in diet increase. | Yes | Yes |
9 months | 30 to 32 ounces per day | 3 to 5 times | Eating more table foods. Make sure diet has good variety. | Yes | Yes |
10 to 12 months | 24 to 30 ounces per day | 3 to 4 times | Baby may change to table food. Baby will feed himself or herself and use a spoon and cup. | Yes | Yes |
^Breastfeeding highly preferred to formula feeding
Formula Types
Usually all formulas should be mixed 1 scoop to 2 oz of water. Water should be added first and then powder. [1] [2]
Cow's milk protein
- Milk based, for most babies
- Examples: Enfamil Complete, Similac Advance
Low lactose or lactose free
- Sometimes used after a diarrheal illness, but these are not needed in the grand majority of patients
- Examples: Similac Sensitive, Enfamily Gentlease
Soy protein based
- For infants with IgE mediated cow's milk allergy
- For infants with galactosemia
- Examples: Enfamil Isomil, Gerber Good Start Soy, Similac Isomil
Extensively hydrolyzed
- Most are lactose free
- For infants with food protein induced proctocolitis or IgE mediated cow's milk allergy
- Examples: Enfamil Nutramigen, Similac Alimentär
Amino acid based
- Free from amino acids, indicated for patient's with severe cow's milk protein allergy
- Lactose free
- Examples: Electra, Neocate