Feeding your infant a healthful, well-balanced diet will help enhance growth and development and prevent malnutrition. According to the World Health Organization, more than one third of child deaths are related to malnutrition, and a baby's risk of death is the highest in the first month of life. The details of an appropriate diet for your baby in the first year of life depend on the infant's age.
The Basics
In their first year of life, babies should be given breast milk or infant formula. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology, or ACOG, encourages women to breastfeed their infants for at least the first six months of life to obtain benefits such as a healthier digestive system, stronger immune system, increased protein absorption, less gas and constipation and a lower risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. To ensure your baby is getting enough milk, the ACOG recommends a newborn baby nurse or drink formula at least eight to 12 times per 24 hour period, and wet at least six diapers per day.
0 to 4 Months
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should be exclusively breastfed or given infant formula for the first four to six months of life. The Nemours Foundation encourages newborns to feed eight to 12 times in a 24 hour period. Three-month-old babies drink larger amounts six to eight times per day and 4-month-old infants consume about 30 oz. of milk each day.
4 to 6 Months
Pureed solid foods are typically introduced between four and six months of age and when your baby is ready. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, signs your baby is ready for solids include good head and neck control, sitting up with some support, a doubled birth weight and expressing interest. The NIH recommend babies 4 to 6 months old consume 28 to 45 oz. of breast milk or formula per day and start 1 to 2 tbsp. of iron-fortified infant rice cereal mixed to a thin consistency with breast milk or formula, two times a day. The amount of infant cereal offered can gradually be increased and additional types of baby cereals, one at a time, can slowly be added to your baby's diet.
6 to 8 Months
Between the ages of 6 to 8 months, new foods can slowly be introduced, one at a time to note any allergic reactions. The NIH recommend 6- to 8-month-old infants be offered formula or breast milk three to five times per day, and offered strained vegetables and fruits in amounts of 2 to 3 tbsp. four times per day. Soft finger foods such as graham crackers can also be introduced at this time, but avoid foods that could cause choking. Whole-milk yogurt can gradually be introduced, as well.
8 to 12 Months
The NIH encourage breast milk or formula be offered to an 8- to 12-month-old infant three to four times per day, and whole cow's milk given after one year of age. In addition to the foods your baby is already eating, the NIH recommend starting 8- to 12-month-old infants on 3 to 4 tbsp. of strained or soft meats, egg yolks three to four times per week and increasing fruits and vegetables to 3 or 4 tbsp., four times per day. A 12-month-old baby can usually eat almost any type of healthy food as long as it doesn't pose a choking hazard or cause allergic reactions.
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