Child Nutrition

Until now, feeding your baby has been your job. But as your baby gets older, your little one will want to do this more and more on his or her own. When babies begin feeding themselves — a new task most really enjoy — they'll find that they like tryin...

Until now, feeding your baby has been your job. Bu...

By about 8 months old, most babies are pros at handling the iron-fortified infant cereals and the pureed foods that have been introduced as part of their diet along with breast milk or formula. Over the next few months, they start to explore table fo...

By about 8 months old, most babies are pros at han...

This is the age when most babies are introduced to solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends gradually introducing solid foods when a baby is between 4 and 6 months old, depending on your baby's readiness and nutritio...

This is the age when most babies are introduced to...

As with breastfeeding, there are some challenges to consider when deciding whether to formula feed. Organization and preparation. Prepare your baby's formula by mixing water and the appropriate amount of powdered infant formula. The packaging on the ...

As with breastfeeding, there are some challenges t...

Breastfeeding is considered the best nutritional option for babies by the major medical organizations, but it's not right for every mother. Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nutritious alternative to breast milk, and even contain some vitam...

Breastfeeding is considered the best nutritional o...

Although it is the best feeding choice for babies and mothers, breastfeeding does come with some concerns that new mothers may share. Whereas it's easy from the get-go for some, it can be challenging. Sometimes, both mother and baby need plenty of pa...

Although it is the best feeding choice for babies ...

Your milk supply is determined by the stimulation that your baby provides while nursing. In other words, the more you breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. So, if you seem to be producing less milk than usual, you should try to feed your baby...

Your milk supply is determined by the stimulation ...

Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is one of the first decisions expectant parents will make. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietet...

Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed you...

Nursing is a wonderful experience for both mother and baby. It provides ideal nourishment and a special bonding experience that many nursing mothers cherish. Here are some of the many benefits of breastfeeding: Infection-fighting. Antibodies passed f...

Nursing is a wonderful experience for both mother ...

Whereas some women may feel like they don't have enough milk, others may feel like they're making too much. Some mothers' bodies just produce more milk than their babies need. Others overstimulate their breasts by pumping or expressing milk between f...

Whereas some women may feel like they don't have e...

Although some mothers may want to keep their babies in bed with them to make breastfeeding more convenient at night, cosleeping with babies can be hazardous. But you can still choose to keep your baby close and make nighttime feedings easier by letti...

Although some mothers may want to keep their babie...

Breast milk contains many vitamins as well as easily-absorbed iron. The iron from breast milk will be sufficient until your baby begins eating iron-rich cereals around 6 months of age. All babies need vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D is added to ...

Breast milk contains many vitamins as well as easi...

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, the AAP encourages breastfeeding until at least 12 months, and longer if both the mot...

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the W...

Sometimes, babies spit up when they: have eaten too much burp (the notorious "wet burp") drool Many infants will spit up a little after some — or even all — feedings or during burping because their digestive tracts are immature. That's perfectly no...

Sometimes, babies spit up when they: have eaten t...

If you're using formula because you're not producing the amount of milk your baby needs, nurse first. Then, give any pumped milk you have and make up the difference with formula as needed. If you are weaning from one feeding at the breast or from bre...

If you're using formula because you're not produci...

Although some women may choose to pump large volumes to be frozen, it's a good idea to actually store the breast milk in 2 to 4 ounce (59.1 to 118.2 milliliters) portions so as not to waste any. Label the bottles, cups, or bags with the date and your...

Although some women may choose to pump large volum...

Some experts feel that if you start pumping and giving bottles too early — before your baby is used to breastfeeding — your little one might have "nipple confusion" and may decide that the bottle is the quicker, better option than the breast. While s...

Some experts feel that if you start pumping and gi...

You can freeze and/or refrigerate your pumped (or expressed) breast milk. You should store it in clean bottles with screw caps, hard plastic cups that have tight caps, or nursing bags (pre-sterilized bags meant for breast milk). It's helpful to put a...

You can freeze and/or refrigerate your pumped (or ...

To keep up your milk supply in both breasts — and prevent painful engorgement in one — it's important to alternate breasts and try to give each one the same amount of nursing time throughout the day. Again, that amount of time differs for every baby ...

To keep up your milk supply in both breasts — and ...

Your newborn should be nursing eight to 12 times per day for about the first month. If you feel like you're feeding your little one more often than someone you know whose baby is formula fed, you might be. Why? Because breast milk digests easier than...

Your newborn should be nursing eight to 12 times p...

Despite what some new moms might think, crying is a late sign of hunger. You should try to nurse before your baby is so hungry that he or she gets really upset and becomes difficult to calm down. Signs that babies are hungry include: moving their he...

Despite what some new moms might think, crying is ...