Newborn Feeding Guidelines

For the first six months of life breast milk or iron-fortified formula is the recommended sole source of nutrition for your infant.

Every baby is unique; therefore, the following suggested serving sizes are only general guidelines. As time goes by you will become aware of your baby’s signals regarding interest in eating and when he or she is finished eating. When adding new foods such as vegetables, grains, fruits or meats, it is recommended to add only one new food every four days. This will enable you to monitor how your child is tolerating a specific food.
 

Around six months of age it is recommended to add complementary foods that are rich in iron, such as iron-fortified rice cereal, to your infants diet. For feeding guidelines beyond six months of age discuss with your baby’s physician.

Vitamin D
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all infants and children, including adolescents, have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D beginning soon after birth. New evidence supports a potential role for vitamin D in maintaining innate immunity and preventing diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Please discuss what vitamin D option will be right for your child with his or her physician.

Recommended Resources
Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health
by Susan B. Roberts, PhD and Melvin B. Heyman, MD

How to Get Your Kid to Eat, But Not Too Much
by Ellyn Satter, RD

Child of Mine, Feeding with Love and Good Sense
by Ellyn Satter, RD

www.choosemyplate.gov
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website for general nutrition recommendations as well as specific nutrition and diet information for breastfeeding mothers and young children.