Whether infants are breastfed or bottle fed, they need a specific amount of nutrients to promote healthy growth and development. There are guidelines by age indicating how much food infants need and when to introduce specific foods. However, some infants will consume more or less than others, as infants have individualized feeding patterns. In addition, some researchers believe that infants should be fed on demand, and others feel infants should be kept to a feeding schedule.
Healthy Growth and Development
Appropriate and healthy feeding of infants during the first year of life is extremely important as infants grow rapidly during the first few months. Infants usually double their birth weight within four to six months and triple it by 12 months. Additionally, infants grow approximately 1 to 1½ inches each month, nearly doubling their length by 12 months. As reported by Chris Johnson and Peter Blasco in "Infant Growth and Development," each child will grow at his own rate according to gender, genetics and ethnic influences, but should be compared to standard growth charts at each pediatric visit.
Birth to Five Months
According to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, during the first few weeks after birth, infants drink between 2 to 4 ounces every four to six hours. This increases to 5 to 6 ounces every three to four hours at two months and 6 to 7 ounces every three to four hours between the age of four and five months. This is approximately 20 to 30 ounces a day at one to two months of age, 25 to 36 ounces a day at two to three months and 24 to 35 ounces a day between three and five months. Solid foods are not recommended during this time because infant digestive systems are still developing. Breast milk or formula will provide 100 percent of the baby's nutritional needs.
Six to Eight Months
Solid foods are typically introduced around six months; however, it is highly dependent upon the infant's readiness. Merck states that infants generally need solid foods when an infant takes a full bottle and is satisfied, but is then hungry again within two or three hours. Most infants will consume between 28 and 40 ounces of formula plus solids a day. Solid foods include approximately 3 to 9 tbsp. of iron-fortified cereal, and ¼ to ½ cup of fruit and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables include strained or pureed banana, pears, peaches, applesauce, carrots, squash and sweet potato. It is important to remember to introduce one new food at a time with at least three days in between to ensure there is no allergy.
Nine to 12 Months
By the time infants reach nine months, they are able to pick up objects, put items into their mouth and move their jaw in a chewing motion. By 12 months, babies can swallow food easily, begin teething, and are starting to use a spoon. All of these developmental characteristics contribute to the complete introduction of solid foods. Most infants still receive breast milk or formula, cereal, fruits and vegetables with the addition of 1/3 cup dairy or cheese, ¼ cup of protein-rich foods, 3 to 4 ounces of non-citrus juices and ¼ cup of combination foods. Formula consumption gradually decreases to 21 to 28 ounces a day as solid food intake increases.
Scheduled vs. Demand Feeding
According to "Parenting Science," pediatricians have advised parents to feed their babies at regularly spaced intervals of three to four hours. This scheduled feeding is not dictated by physiology, therefore as of 2010, more recent research recommends feeding on demand. Feeding on demand allows infants to regulate their own feeding bouts and permits them to adjust their intake in response to natural variations in quantity and quality. Newborns should be fed frequently and when they show signs of hunger. It is best to let the baby's interest determine when the baby is full. Demand feeding results in less stress and pain, increased naps and fewer digestive problems.
