FEEDING FOR INFANTS

1. INFANT FEEDING

2. INTRODUCTION
Breastfeeding is an unequalled way
of providing ideal food for the
healthy growth and development of
infants.
it is also an integral part of the
reproductive process with
important implications for the
health of mothers.

3. Cont…
As a global public health
recommendation, infants
should be exclusively breastfed
for the first six months of life to
achieve optimal growth,
development and health.

4. Cont…
Thereafter, to meet their
evolving nutritional
requirements, infants should
receive nutritionally adequate
and safe complementary foods
while breastfeeding continues
for up to two years of age or
beyond

5. CONT…
Use this guide to find out
what and how much to
feed your child at every
stage of development from
birth to 12 months

6. AGE: BIRTH TO 4 MONTHS
FEEDING BEHAVIOR
Rooting reflex helps your baby
turn toward a nipple to find
nourishment

7. WHAT TO FEED
Breast milk or
formula ONLY

8. HOW MUCH PER DAY
Your baby's digestive tract
is still developing, so solid
food is off-limits for now.

9. AGE: 4 TO 6 MONTHS
SIGNS OF READINESS FOR SOLID FOOD
 Your baby probably won't do all these things –
they're just clues to watch for.
 Can hold head up
 Sits well in highchair
 Makes chewing motions
 Shows significant weight gain (birth weight
has doubled)

10. CONT…
 Can close mouth
around a spoon
 Can move food from
front to back of mouth
 Seems hungry after 8 to
10 feedings of breast
milk
 Is teething

11. WHAT TO FEED
Breast milk or formula, PLUS
Pureed food (like sweet
potatoes, squash, apples,
bananas, ) or semi-liquid iron-
fortified cereal.

12. HOW MUCH PER DAY
 Begin with about 1 teaspoon pureed
food or cereal. Mix cereal with 4 to 5
teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll
be very runny).
 Increase to 1 tablespoon of pureed food,
or 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with
breast milk or formula, twice a day. If
giving cereal, gradually thicken the
consistency by using less liquid.

13. AGE: 6 TO 8 MONTHS
SIGNS OF READINESS FOR SOLID FOOD
(Same as 4 to 6 months)
 Your baby probably won't do all these things –
they're just clues to watch for.
 Can hold head up
 Sits well in highchair
 Makes chewing motions
 Shows significant weight gain (birth weight
has doubled)

14. CONT…
Shows interest in food
Can close mouth around a spoon
Can move food from front to back of
mouth
Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings
of breast milk
Is teething

15. WHAT TO FEED
 Breast milk or formula, PLUS
 Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
 Pureed or strained fruits (banana,)
 Pureed or strained vegetables ( well-cooked
carrots, squash, and sweet potato)
 Pureed meat (chicken, pork, beef)
 Pureed legumes (black beans, chickpeas, and
kidney beans)

16. HOW MUCH PER DAY
 3 to 9 tablespoons cereal, in 2 to 3
feedings
 1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to
1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feedings
 1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually
increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3
feedings

17. FEEDING TIPS
Introduce new foods one at a
time, with at least three days
in between to make sure your
baby's not allergic.

18. AGE: 8 TO 10 MONTHS
 SIGNS OF READINESS FOR SOLID AND FINGER
FOODS
(Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS)
 Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger
(pincer grasp)
 Can transfer items from one hand to the
other
 Puts everything in his mouth
 Moves jaw in a chewing motion

19. HOW MUCH PER DAY
1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy
1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified
cereal
1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods

20. WHAT TO FEED
 Breast milk or formula, PLUS
 Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats,
mixed cereals)
 Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas,
cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet
potatoes)
 Finger foods (small pieces of ripe banana;
teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
 Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats,
poultry, and boneless fish; well-cooked and
mashed beans, split peas, pintos, black beans)

21. FEEDING TIP
Introduce new foods one at a
time, with at least three days
in between to make sure your
baby's not allergic

22. Age: 10 to 12 months
SIGNS OF READINESS FOR ADDITIONAL
SOLID FOOD
(Same as 8 to 10 months, PLUS)
Swallows food more easily
Has more teeth
No longer pushes food out with
tongue
Is trying to use a spoon

23. WHAT TO FEED
 Breast milk or formula PLUS
o Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats,
mixed cereals)
 Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (peas, carrots)
o Protein (egg; poultry, and boneless fish; well-
cooked and mashed beans)
 Finger foods (lightly toasted bread, small pieces of
banana, teething crackers, )

24. HOW MUCH PER DAY
 1/3 cup dairy
 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods

25. DEARS
THANK
YOU