North Point Pediatrics

"come grow with us"

Bottle

INFANT FEEDINGS

____________________________________________________________________________________

House
Home



Breast Feeding

 


Bottle Feeding

 

Solid Foods

 


Vitamins and Minerals


 

Fluoride

In regards to which type of feedings you choose, breast or bottle, we will support whatever decision you make. We do encourage, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast feeding your baby even if it is only for a short period of time.

Breast Feeding:
Usually your milk supply will become adequate between the second and sixth day after delivery. Before this your child will get his or her nourishment from colostrum. Colostrum will provide not only the calories needed but also provide important elements that will help prevent infections. Feeding your baby soon and often after delivery will help encourage your milk supply. Your baby should suckle for 15-20 minutes on the first side. Stop at this point to burp and change your baby's diaper. This will help the infant to stay awake to complete the breastfeeding session. Then let them suckle for another 15-20 minutes. With each feeding you should alternate the starting breast.

Breast fed infants should be fed every 2 hours initially in the first few weeks, then every2-4 hours thereafter. They should go no longer than 4 hours at night without being fed. There are several indications that your baby is getting enough milk:

  1. Your baby is gaining weight
  2. Your baby is having six to ten wet diapers a day
  3. Your baby is active and alert
  4. Your baby is having frequent bowel movements, usually 2-5 each day, or with every feeding.

If you choose not to breast feed or when you have decided to stop, you may have a problem with engorgement of your breast. You may need to use an ace wrap or a tight fitting bra for comfort until the milk production has stopped. The application of ice packs may also be of benefit. This may take up to approximately two weeks to subside.

For those women returning to work there are many commercially available breast pumps that you can use. You can pick up a list of these in our office. Of all the breast pumps the electric pumps are the quickest and easiest way of expressing your milk.

Bottle Feeding:
Your baby will require an infant formula for the first year of life. There are three types of infant formula: lactose, soy and elemental. We usually recommend a 20 caloric/ounce lactose (milk) formula in either a ready to feed, concentrate or powdered form. This should provide all the nutrients and calories your child will need for normal growth. You will not need to sterilize the bottles or nipples if they are washed thoroughly. Using a dishwasher is good enough. There is also no need to boil city water. Recommended bottle feedings by age are listed below:

AGE NO. OF FEEDINGS VOLUME (OUNCES)
Birth - 1 wk 6 - 10 1 - 3
1 wk - 1 mo 7 - 8 2 - 4
1 mo - 3 mo 6 - 7 4 - 6
3 mo - 6 mo 4 - 5 6 -7
6 mo - 9 mo 3 - 4 7 - 8
10 mo - 12 mo 3 7 - 8

Solid Foods and Juices:  
Attempt to make every mealtime a pleasant social experience. Solid foods are not more nutritious than breast milk or formula and do not have more calories. Solid foods prepare an infant for their dietary habits of later childhood. The bulk of nutrition during an infant's first year of life comes from either breast milk or formula. By four months of age, your baby will be taking approximately 6 ounces at each feeding, varying from 4 to 8 ounces.

You may start foods other than breast milk or formula when your baby weighs twelve pounds or more and is at least four months old. Your baby's appetite and acceptance of new foods may vary considerably and these instructions should be used as a guide rather than hard and steadfast rules. Remember that it is not necessary to start foods at this time and some infants can wait until later. Introduce single ingredient foods one at a time and continue for 5 days before introducing another food. This will help isolate food sensitivity and prevent food allergies.

It is common practice to introduce rice cereal first, then fruits, yellow and orange vegetables, green vegetables and finally meats. Start with rice cereal diluted with formula or breast milk and feed up to 2-3 tablespoons twice daily. You will gradually increase feedings to three times daily when your infant is ready. Your infant still requires approximately 24 - 36 ounces of formula or breast milk daily. Solid foods are intended to supplement formula, not take the place of it.
 

Month to Month Guideline for Feeding Amounts

4 to 6 months 1-2 teaspoons of cereal twice daily
6 months 1/2 - 1 jar daily, stage 1-2
7 months 2-3 jars daily, stage 2
8 months 3 jars daily, stage 2-3
9 months Start junior foods and table foods if they can  chew and swallow adequately

Juices are also introduced one at a time. Your child never requires juice, but it can be offered in limited quantity at 6 months of age. If offered, no more than 4 - 6 ounces per day should be given. Encourage the use of a sippy cup when offering juice.Apple juice or white grape juice (diluted one-half strength with fluoridated water) may be introduced at six months of age.

For the older infant, establish a diet plan such as the "Basic Four" for balance and diversity: (a) Milk group, (b) Meat group, (c) Bread/ Cereal group (d) Fruits/Vegetable group.

Mashed table foods and finger foods can be introduced at 8-9 months if there is an adequate ability to chew and swallow. Soft foods should be introduced first.

Please remember that the use of solid foods should bea pleasant experience for the parent and the child. If your baby refuses solid foods, it is just not time yet.

FOOD AVOIDANCES


Avoid using added salt and sugar or excess spices.

Honey should be avoided until after 12 months of age.

Avoid foods that can cause choking until the age of 4:

whole grapes
whole hotdogs
Gum
Nuts
Popcorn
Hard Candy
Thick layer of peanut butter

  Vitamins and Minerals:
Breast milk and infant formula contain the vitamins and minerals that your child will need, although sometimes iron may need to be supplemented.  We will check your child for iron-deficiency anemia at 12 months.

Fluoride:
Fluoride helps reduce the incidence of dental caries in children.  Sources of fluoride include infant formula, tap water, juices, and toothpaste.  If you will be mixing your infant formula with bottled water you will need to check with the distributor about the fluoride content.  It should contain at least 0.6 ppm of fluoride.  If you live in Fulton County your tap water supply contains 1 ppm of fluoride which is more than adequate.  Your child will not need fluoride until six months of age.  After this age, depending on how much fluoride is in the water supply you are using, a supplement may be required.  However, a fluorinated toothpaste should not be used until your child is able to refrain from swallowing it.  A specifically formulated "children's" toothpaste is our preference.

Back to Top
 

Home | Index| Meet the Doctors | Office Policies| Newborn Care| Immunizations| Safety
Fever/Diarrhea |  

 

Copyright © North Point Pediatrics