Here are some guidelines for feeding healthy infants from birth to their first birthday. Please remember that it is just a guideline. If you have concerns about your infant, talk to your pediatrician.

Newborn to 1 Month

• Breastfeed about 10-12 times/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 18-24 oz/ 24 hours.

1-2 Months

• Breastfeed about 8-10 times / 24 hours or
• Formula about 22-28 oz/ 24 hours

2-3 Months

• Breastfeed about 8-10 times/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 24-32 oz/ 24 hours

3-4 Months

• Breastfeed abot 8-10 times/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 26 – 34 oz / 24 hours

4-5 Months

• Breastfeed about 7-9 times/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 26-36 oz/ day

5-6 Months

• Breastfeed about 7-9 times/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 30-40 oz/ day

6 – 8 Months

• Breastfeed about 4-8 feedings/ 24 hours or
• Formula about 24-32 oz/ 24 hours AND
• Infant cereal: 2-4 Tablespoons gradually increased to 1/4 cup between 2 feedings/ day
• Pureed vegetables about 2 Tablespoons gradually increased to 1/4 cup between 2-3 feedings/ day
• Pureed fruits about 2 Tablespoons gradually increased to 1/4 cup between 2-3 feedings/ day
• Pureed meat about 1-2 Tablespoons gradually increased to 1/4 cup between 2-3 feedings/ day

* As you begin to introduce new foods, only introduce one new food at a time for 3 days in a row. If your child has a reaction to a new food, then you will know which food was the culprit.

*If you are providing baby foods from the supermarket then start with Stage 1. Usually after your baby has been on stage 1 foods for about a month or two they are ready for Stage 2. Some babies don’t prefer the thicker foods until a little later.

8-12 Months

• Breastfeed about 4-6 feedings/ 24 hours
• Formula about 24-32 oz/ 24 hours
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup of dairy (no cow’s milk) / day
• 1/4 -1/2 cup of infant cereal / day
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup of veggies
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup of fruit
• 1/8 – 1/4 cup of protein (meats, beans, tofu)

*Your baby is ready for finger foods when they can “pinch” foods between their thumb and forefinger. We started with cheerios because they dissolve quickly. Bananas are a good first finger food as well.

*Usually around 9-10 months babies are ready for Stage 3 Foods or foods that are cut up small.

*Around 11 months lots of babies no longer want baby food and only want “real” food. They grow up so fast!

* Remember to not feed infants under 1 milk, egg white, and honey. Check out “Don’t Feed That to the Baby” for more information.

*Don’t forget to have that camera ready. Your baby will make some priceless faces as they start exploring foods that you will want to capture!