Baby Feeding Timeline and Guidelines
This article aims to provide you with a clear roadmap, outlining when and how to introduce various foods to your little one, helping to ensure they receive the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
Your baby’s feeding and nutritional needs evolve as they get older, and we love celebrating each milestone with parents like you. In this article, we'll give you a look ahead at the timeline and general nutritional needs for each stage of development.
Newborn Feeding Chart & Guidelines
- Baby nutrition should come from breast milk and/or formula only.
- Feed on demand according to your baby's hunger cues; the amounts shown are a guide.
- Don't try to force your baby to finish a bottle when they’re full.
| Feeding Schedule for Newborn (Birth to 3 Months) |
|---|
| Breast Milk Every 2-3 hours (8-12 feedings per day), on demand. |
| Formula Every 3-4 hours (6-8 feedings per day), on demand, about 2-3 ounces per feeding. |
| Grains None |
| Fruit and Vegetables None |
| Dairy, Meat and Poultry None |
Infant Feeding
- Around 6 months, once your baby can sit with support, hold her head upright, and show interest in food, introduce pureed foods.
- Feed one new food every 3-5 days, and watch for indications of allergy, like rash, diarrhea or vomiting.
- Do not introduce fruit juices during the first 12 months, unless your pediatrician recommends offering it earlier.
- Avoid adding sugar or salt to foods.
- At about 8 months, begin feeding your baby finger foods that she can pick up and feed herself. Plan for a mess and be patient.
- Never give infants raisins, nuts, popcorn or small, hard pieces of food, as these can be choking hazards. And remember, do not give honey to a baby under one year.
- Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula. These intakes will decrease some as your baby consumes more solid foods.
| Feeding Schedule for Infant (4 to 6 Months) |
|---|
| Breast Milk On demand, about 6-8 feedings per day. |
| Formula 4-5 feedings per day, 5-7 fl oz per feeding. |
| Grains Start with iron-fortified rice, oatmeal, or barley cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. |
| Fruit and Vegetables Introduce a single pureed fruit or vegetable and feed it for 3-5 days before starting another. |
| Dairy, Meat and Poultry Pureed meat or yogurt. |
| Feeding Schedule for Infant (6 to 8 Months) |
|---|
| Breast Milk On demand about 4-6 feedings per day. |
| Formula 4-5 feedings per day, 6-8 fl. oz per feeding (up to a maximum of about 32 fl. oz a day) |
| Grains Start finger foods that have more texture, like oat cereal o's or toast fingers. |
| Fruit and Vegetables Pureed or mashed fruits and vegetables. |
| Dairy, Meat and Poultry Yogurt, pureed or finely ground meats and chicken. |
Toddler Feeding
- After the first year of this baby feeding timeline, you'll probably notice a decline in your toddler's appetite. Don't worry, their growth rate is slowing and they don't require as much food.
- Toddlers may need repeated exposures to new foods before accepting them. If they refuse a food, don't give up or show disappointment; just offer it again another day.
- Toddlers need about 1,000 calories a day. Since they eat toddler-sized portions, offer 3 meals and 3 snacks daily.
- Give your toddler water for thirst. Avoid giving too much fruit juice—it's loaded with sugar. Serve less than 4-6 ounces of juice a day.
- Feed a variety of food from the 4 basic food groups below:
| Feeding Schedule for 9-12 Months |
|---|
| Breast Milk On demand about 4 or more feedings per day |
| Formula 4 feedings per day, 6-8 fl oz per feeding (about 24-32 fl oz a day) |
| Grains Fortified cereal grains (3 Tbsp portions), including finger foods like crackers |
| Fruit and Vegetables 4 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (2-4 Tbsp) |
| Dairy, Meat and Poultry 1 serving of yogurt or finely chopped meat or poultry (2-4 Tbsp) |
| Feeding Schedule for Toddler: 1-2 Years |
|---|
| Milk and Other Dairy 16-24 fl oz whole cow's milk per day (offer yogurt and other dairy products, as well) |
| Grains Fortified cereals, breads, crackers, rice, pasta (a portion is 3-4 Tbsp, 2 crackers or 1/2 slice bread) |
| Fruit and Vegetables About 1-2 cups of fruits and vegetables divided over a day. |
| Meat, Fish, Poultry and Eggs 1-2 servings of lean meat, eggs, fish, poultry or cooked dried beans per day. A serving can be 3-4 Tbsp. |
| Feeding Schedule for Toddler: 2-3 Years |
|---|
| Milk and Other Dairy 16 fl oz low-fat or skim cow's milk per day (offer low-fat yogurt and other dairy products, as well) |
| Grains Fortified cereals, breads, crackers, rice, pasta as appetite demands |
| Fruit and Vegetables About 2-3 cups of fruits and vegetables divided over a day. |
| Meat, Fish, Poultry and Eggs 2 servings of lean meat, eggs, fish, poultry or cooked dried beans per day. A serving can be 3-4 Tbsp. |
What to Do When Your Toddler Won’t Eat
If you've ever experienced the frustration of a toddler refusing to eat, you're not alone. Many parents face this challenge at some point during their child's development. However, there are strategies you can employ to encourage healthy eating habits and make mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone. Try these tips:
Enjoy Family Mealtimes at a Table
Sitting together as a family creates a positive environment for eating and encourages your toddler to model the behavior of older family members. Make mealtimes a pleasant and social experience by engaging in conversation and avoiding distractions such as screens or toys.
Keep Mealtimes Relaxed
Creating a relaxed atmosphere during meals can also help ease your toddler's reluctance to eat. Avoid placing pressure on your child to finish their food or try new foods. Instead, focus on making mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free. Remember, it's normal for toddlers to have varying appetites from day to day.
Let Your Toddler Explore the Food by Touch
Encourage your toddler to explore different foods by allowing them to touch, smell, and even play with their food. Sensory exploration can help familiarize your child with new textures and flavors, making them more likely to try new foods in the future. Embrace the mess and let your toddler have fun discovering food in their own way.
Let Your Toddler Feed Themselves
Empowering your toddler to feed themselves can also increase their interest in eating. Offer age-appropriate utensils and encourage your child to take control of their meal. While it may be messy at first, allowing your toddler to feed themselves promotes independence and helps develop important motor skills.
Remember, every child is unique, so don't be discouraged if progress is gradual. With time and persistence, your toddler will learn to enjoy a variety of foods and mealtimes will become a more pleasant experience for the whole family.
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