Although there are many unresolved questions about infant nutrition, current medical thinking suggests the following:
1. Breastmilk is the preferred nutritional source for a newborn; there is nothing wrong with formula feeding. For some families, formula feeding may be preferable.
2. Feed your baby on demand, which usually is about every 2 to 3 hours. You may want to wake your baby during the day if he or she sleeps more than 4 hours to maintain a modified on demand schedule.
3. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants receive a vitamin D supplement. Both multivitamin preparations (with vitamins A, C, and D) and vitamin D alone are available over the counter (OTC). The dose of vitamin D is 400IU per day until the baby reaches one year of age.
4. Infants do not need water or other fluids outside of breastmilk or formula. However, it is perfectly safe to offer your older baby (over 6 months of age) a small cup or bottle of tap water during or between meals if desired.
5. The age at which solid foods should be introduced varies with each family. From a medical standpoint, infants need only breastmilk or formula in the first year of life. Solid foods should not be given during the first month of life and are commonly introduced at 4 to 6 months of age. There is no proof that introducing solids will help babies sleep longer.Raw honey should not be given until after the first year of life because honey carries a risk of infant botulism ("floppy baby" syndrome). Cow's mlk should not replace formula or breastmilk in the first year because its negligible iron content can lead to anemia (low blood count).
1. Breastmilk is the preferred nutritional source for a newborn; there is nothing wrong with formula feeding. For some families, formula feeding may be preferable.
2. Feed your baby on demand, which usually is about every 2 to 3 hours. You may want to wake your baby during the day if he or she sleeps more than 4 hours to maintain a modified on demand schedule.
3. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants receive a vitamin D supplement. Both multivitamin preparations (with vitamins A, C, and D) and vitamin D alone are available over the counter (OTC). The dose of vitamin D is 400IU per day until the baby reaches one year of age.
4. Infants do not need water or other fluids outside of breastmilk or formula. However, it is perfectly safe to offer your older baby (over 6 months of age) a small cup or bottle of tap water during or between meals if desired.
5. The age at which solid foods should be introduced varies with each family. From a medical standpoint, infants need only breastmilk or formula in the first year of life. Solid foods should not be given during the first month of life and are commonly introduced at 4 to 6 months of age. There is no proof that introducing solids will help babies sleep longer.Raw honey should not be given until after the first year of life because honey carries a risk of infant botulism ("floppy baby" syndrome). Cow's mlk should not replace formula or breastmilk in the first year because its negligible iron content can lead to anemia (low blood count).
