INFANT’S NUTRITION

During the infant’s first year of life, his or her birth-weight may triple. Feeding is important part of the baby’s day.

In the first few months of life, the baby’s nutrition consists of breast milk or formula. The frequency of feeding depends on the baby’s needs and the method of feeding. A baby between 1 and 3 months old probably wants between 5 to 6 feedings a day, eventually every 3 hours, except for a longer stretch at night. As the baby grows, the number of feedings is reduced. Typically, a 5-month-old is down to 4 or 5 feedings, and by 9 months the child has only 3 milk feedings. But each infant is a distinct individual.

Before 4 to 6 months, the baby gastrointestinal system may be unable to absorb solids efficiently. Precooked rice cereal is often used as baby’s first solid food because it is easy to digest. Initially, babies generally respond better to solids if the solid foods are thin rather than thick. After the baby is acquainted with cereal, the next step might be a fruit or a vegetable. At 8 months, most infants are ready to try pureed meats, but breast milk or formula continues to provide ample amounts of proteins.

By the time the infant is between 6 and 8 months old, he or she should be eating 3 to 4 ounces of solids at each of three meals, or between 5 and 8 tablespoons of food per meal. Sometimes a baby’s diet needs to be supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Once the child reaches his or her first birthday, the infant eats table food exclusively.