Although many parenting books and websites exhaustively cover the subject of infant feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics insists that the process itself doesn't have to be complicated. You will need to make some basic choices as to what you feed your baby, but you do not need to follow rigid guidelines about when and how much to feed him. Your baby's own needs, with input from his pediatrician regarding his growth and health, can help determine the "when," "how often" and "how much" part of the process.
Types of Foods
The first decision you need to make is whether you want to breastfeed or formula feed your infant. The AAP unequivocally states that breastmilk is the best nutritional choice for your baby for his first year of life. Women unwilling or unable to breastfeed can choose an iron-fortified infant formula. Talk to your pediatrician about the right formula for your infant's needs. Infants born prematurely or those with food intolerances or allergies might need special types of formula.
Frequency of Feedings
Follow your baby's feeding cues to determine how often and how much he needs to eat. MayoClinic.com states that newborns often eat 8 to 12 times a day while babies a few months older might only take six to eight feedings. Since formula digests more slowly than breast milk, formula-fed infants might want to eat less often. The amount your baby takes in one session will vary from feeding to feeding. Instead of focusing on how much he eats at one time, pay attention to whether he appears to be gaining weight steadily and wets more than six to eight diapers a day. Talk to your doctor about any concerns related to your baby's growth and development.
Time Frame for Solids
Most babies can start to eat solid foods around four to six months of age when they lose their tongue-thrust reflex and can sit upright with support. Starting solids while your infant still has the tongue-thrust reflex will cause your baby to push out anything you put in his mouth, according to Frank Greer, M.D., FAAP, member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Nutrition. Many pediatricians recommend iron-fortified infant rice cereals as first foods since they cause few allergic reactions and can help boost infant iron stores. Talk to your doctor about your child's readiness for solids and his recommendations for first foods.
Considerations
Talk to your pediatrician about vitamin D supplementation for your breastfed infant. Vitamin D helps your baby's body absorb calcium and phosphorus---both critical nutrients for the health of his bones. Although many babies get enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure---and formula-fed infants get the nutrient through their formula---some babies, especially dark-skinned ones, might need supplementation to avoid developing rickets, a softening and weakening of the bones.
Potential
As your baby gets closer to 1 year of age, she will consume a larger variety of solid foods that will increasingly provide more of her daily nutrition. After her first birthday, you can switch her from formula to whole cow's milk. The AAP urges you to continue breastfeeding for as long as it remains desirable for both you and your baby.
