Infant Feeding Guidelines

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Analyze the guidelines for infant feeding. Describe the stages of the introduction to solid foods

From birth to four months babies are to be fed breast milk or formula only. This is because the baby's digestive tract is still developing so solid food is off limits. From age four to six months babies will start to be able to hold head up, make chewing motion, gain significant weight (birth weight will be doubled), show interest in food, can close mouth around spoon, can move food from front to back of mouth, can move tongue back and forth, is teething, and will seem hungry after eight to ten feedings of breast milk or 40 ounces of formula in a day. It is now appropriate to feed the baby breast milk or formula plus pureed food ((like sweet potatoes, squash, apples, bananas, peaches, or pears) or semi-liquid iron-fortified cereal). Initially you may begin with about 1 teaspoon pureed food or cereal. Mix the cereal with four to five teaspoons of breast milk or formula so that it is very runny. Gradually increase to one tablespoon of pureed food or one tablespoon of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula twice a day. If using cereal gradually thicken its' consistency by using less liquid.

The above information plus a progression for introducing more solid foods from http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680.bc

Age: 6 to 8 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
? Same as 4 to 6 months
What to feed
? Breast milk or formula, PLUS
? Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
? Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
? Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato)
? Pureed meat (chicken, pork, beef)
? Pureed tofu
? Pureed legumes (black beans, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and kidney beans)
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
Feeding tips
? Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
? Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.

Age: 8 to 10 months
Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods
? Same as 6 ...