Feeding patterns and diet - children 6 months to 2 years
Feeding children 6 months to 2 years; Diet - age appropriate - children 6 months to 2 years; Babies - feeding solid food
How you feed your baby is a personal decision, but if you breastfeed you're choosing to give your child a natural, nutritional food source that can benefit you AND your baby. Let's talk about breastfeeding. Many women ask me, What's so good about breastfeeding? Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for a baby. It contains just the right amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. And they vary over time within each feeding and over the months as your baby grows, tailored. Breast milk also gives your baby the digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, hormones and flavors they need. Plus your baby gets antibodies and other immune factors from YOU that can help your baby resist some infections. Infants who breastfeed are less likely to have allergies, ear infections, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, skin problems, stomach or intestinal infections...and are also less likely to experience wheezing, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Breastfeeding helps mom too! You form a unique bond with your baby. You might lose pregnancy weight faster and, you have a lower risk of breast cancer, some types of ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. Your baby will need to be fed a lot, often nearly around the clock during the first few weeks after birth. It's perfectly normal. Some mothers find that bringing the baby in bed for feedings at night or placing a bassinet within reach, allows them to meet the child's needs while losing minimal rest. During the day, nap after feedings if you can. If you need to return to work soon after your baby is born, or you're a stay-at-home mom that needs some time to herself, there are plenty of pumping and storage systems available that let you continue to breastfeed your baby as long as you want. Breastfeeding goes smoothly for most people, once mother and baby get the hang of it. For others, it may take time and practice. If you run into any problems, contact a lactation consultant, a person who specializes in breastfeeding.
Deciding to feed your baby breast milk or formula is a personal matter. If you do choose formula, it's designed to be a nutritional source of food for infants. Let's talk about infant formula. A variety of formulas are available for infants younger than 12 months old. Infant formulas vary in nutrients, calorie count, taste, ability to be digested, and cost. Standard milk-based formulas are made with cow's milk protein that has been changed to be more like breast milk. These formulas contain lactose and minerals from cow's milk, along with vegetable oils, minerals, and vitamins. Soy-based formulas are made using soy proteins. These formulas are useful when parents do not want their child to eat animal protein, or the child has a rare metabolic problem and can't tolerate other formulas. Also, soy formulas do not contain lactose. Other lactose-free formulas are available to help babies with lactose problems. Hypoallergenic formulas may be helpful for babies who have true allergies to milk protein. They can also help babies with skin rashes. One caveat you'll pay a lot more for them. Your baby's doctor may recommend other special formulas. Reflux formulas are pre-thickened with rice starch. They can help babies with reflux problems who are not gaining weight. Formulas for premature and low-birth weight infants have extra calories and minerals. Other special formulas are available for babies with heart disease and digestion problems. So, what's the best way to take care of infant formula and bottles? You'll need to clean bottles and nipples with soap, then for very young babies boil them in a covered pan for 10 minutes. Once the bottles are cooled, you can make enough formula to last 24 hours. Make it exactly as the package directs you to. Once you make formula, store it in your refrigerator in individual bottles. During the first month, your baby may need at least 8 bottles of formula a day. When it's time to feed your baby, warm the formula slowly in hot water. Always test the temperature of the formula before feeding your baby. Hold your child close to you and make eye contact. Hold the bottle so the nipple and neck of the bottle are always filled with liquid. This helps prevent your child from swallowing air, which can cause gas and vomiting. Once you're finished feeding your baby, throw away any formula left in the bottle. Children should get breast milk or formula at least throughout the first year. This is the centerpiece of infant nutrition.
Recommendations
6 to 8 MONTHS
At this age, your baby will probably eat about 4 to 6 times per day, but will eat more at each feeding than the first 6 months.
- If you feed formula, your baby will eat about 6 to 8 ounces (180 to 240 milliliters) per feeding, but should not have more than 32 ounces (950 milliliters) in 24 hours.
- You can start to introduce solid foods at age 6 months. Most of your baby's calories should still come from breast milk or formula.
- Breast milk is not a good source of iron. So after 6 months, your baby will start to need more iron. Start solid feedings with iron-fortified baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Mix it with enough milk so that the texture is very thin. Start by offering the cereal 2 times a day, in just a few spoonfuls.
- You can make the mixture thicker as your baby learns to control it in their mouth.
- You can also introduce iron-rich pureed meats, fruits, and vegetables. Try green peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce, pears, bananas, and peaches.
- Some dietitians recommend introducing a few vegetables before fruits. The sweetness of fruit may make some vegetables less appealing.
- The amount your child eats will vary between 2 tablespoons (30 grams) and 2 cups (480 grams) of fruits and vegetables per day. How much your child eats depends on their size and how well they eat fruits and vegetables.
There are several ways you can tell that your baby is ready to eat solid foods:
- Your baby's birth weight has doubled.
- Your baby can control their head and neck movements.
- Your baby can sit up with some support.
- Your baby can show you they are full by turning their head away or by not opening their mouth.
- Your baby begins showing interest in food when others are eating.
You should also know:
- Never give honey to your baby. It may contain bacteria that can cause botulism, a rare, but serious illness.
- Do not give your baby cow's milk until they are 1 year old. Babies under age 1 have a difficult time digesting cow's milk.
- Never put your child to bed with a bottle. This can cause tooth decay. If your baby wants to suck, give them a pacifier.
- Use a small spoon when feeding your baby.
- It is fine to start to give your baby water between feedings.
- Do not give your baby cereal in a bottle unless your pediatrician or dietitian recommends it, for example, for reflux.
- Only offer your child new foods when they are hungry.
- Introduce new foods one at a time, waiting 2 to 3 days between. That way you can watch for allergic reactions. Signs of an allergy include diarrhea, rash, or vomiting.
- Avoid foods with added salt or sugar.
- Feed your baby directly from the jar only if you use the entire jar contents. Otherwise, use a dish to prevent food-borne illness.
- Opened containers of baby food should be covered and stored in a refrigerator for no longer than 2 days.
8 to 12 MONTHS OF AGE
At this age, you can offer finger foods in small amounts. Your baby will probably let you know they are ready to start feeding themselves by grabbing the food or spoon with their hand.
Good finger foods include:
- Soft cooked vegetables
- Washed and peeled fruits
- Graham crackers
- Melba toast
- Noodles
You can also introduce teething foods, such as:
- Toast strips
- Unsalted crackers and bagels
- Teething biscuits
Continue to offer your baby breast milk or formula 3 to 4 times per day at this age.
You should also know:
- Avoid foods that may cause choking, such as apple chunks or slices, grapes, berries, raisins, dry flake cereals, hot dogs, sausages, peanut butter, popcorn, nuts, seeds, round candies, and raw vegetables.
- You can give your child egg yolks 3 to 4 times per week. Some babies are sensitive to egg whites. So do not offer them until after age 1.
- You can offer small amounts of cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt, but no cow's milk.
- By age 1, most children are off the bottle. If your child still uses a bottle, it should contain water only.
1 YEAR of AGE
- At this age, you may give your baby whole milk in place of breast milk or formula.
- Most mothers in the United States wean their babies by this age. But it is also fine to continue to nurse if you and your baby want to.
- Do not give your child low-fat milk (2%, 1%, or skim) until after age 2. Your baby needs the extra calories from fat to grow and develop.
- At this age, your baby will get most of their nutrition from proteins, fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, and dairy. You can make sure your baby gets all the vitamins and minerals they need by offering a variety of foods.
- Your child will start to crawl and walk and be much more active. They will eat smaller amounts at a time, but will eat more often (4 to 6 times a day). Having snacks on hand is a good idea.
- At this age, their growing slows. They will not double in size like they did when they were an infant.
You should also know:
- If your child dislikes a new food, try giving it again later. Often it takes several tries for children to take to new foods.
- Do not give your child sweets or sweetened beverages. They can spoil their appetite and cause tooth decay.
- Avoid salt, strong spices, and caffeine products, including soft drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate.
- If your baby is fussy, they may need attention, rather than food.
2 YEARS of AGE
- After your child turns 2, your child's diet should be moderately low in fat. A high-fat diet can lead to heart disease, obesity, and other health problems later in life.
- Your child should eat a variety of foods from each of the food groups: breads and grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables, and dairy.
- If your water is not fluoridated, it is a good idea to use toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride added.
All children need plenty of calcium to support their growing bones. But not all kids get enough. Good sources of calcium include:
- Low-fat or nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Cooked greens
- Canned salmon (with bones)
If your child's diet is balanced and healthy, they should not need a vitamin supplement. Some kids are picky eaters, but usually they still get all the nutrients they need. If you are concerned, ask your health care provider whether your child needs a children's multivitamin.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your provider if you are concerned your child:
- Is not eating enough
- Is eating too much
- Is gaining too much or too little weight
- Has an allergic reaction to food
References
HealthyChildren.org website. Nutrition (toddler). www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed July 29, 2023.
Meek JY, Noble L. Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057988. PMID: 35921640
Parks EP, Shaikhkhalil A, Sainath NN, Mitchell JA, Brownell JN, Stallings VA. Feeding healthy infants, children, and adolescents. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 56.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 7/1/2023
Reviewed by: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
