Signs that baby ishungry or full
Food and drinks to avoid
Infants 0–5 Months
Formula feeding Baby’s first foodsBreastfeeding
BreastfeedingSuggested Questions:• Howisbreastfeedinggoing?• Whatquestionsdoyouhaveaboutbreastfeeding?Tips:• Breastmilkistheonlyfoodyourbabyneeds.• Breastfeedfrequently,atleast8–12timesin24hours.• Avoidgivingyourbabyanyformula,water,teas,orapacifierinthefirstmonth.
• Youwillknowifyourbabyisgettingenoughtoeatifbabyhas6to8wetand4morepoopydiapersperday,andthedoctorsaysthatbabyisgainingweight.
• It’snormaltohavequestionsandneedhelp.Handouts:• #4BabiesFirst–AnswersforBreastfeedingProblems• HowtoTellifYourBabyisHungry(tearoffsheet)• SignsThatYourBabyisWellFed(BFbookmark)
Formula feedingSuggested Question:• Whatquestionsorconcernsdoyouhaveaboutpreparingformulaorfeedingyourbaby?
Tips:• Prepareformulaaccordingtotheinstructionsonthelabel.Usetherightamountofcleanwater.
• Alwaysholdyourbabywhenbottlefeeding.• Neverpropthebottleorputyourbabytobedwithabottle.
• Donotputcerealinthebottle.• Feedbabywhenbabysucksonhand,smackslips,turnsheadtowardyourbreast,actsfussy.
• Stopfeedingbabywhenbabyturnsheadaway,closesmouth,losesinterestineating,orfallsasleep.
Handouts:• ANutritionGuideforBirthto6Months• HowtoTellifYourBabyisHungry(tearoffsheet)
Baby’s first foodsSuggested Question:• Whatquestionsdoyouhaveaboutfirstfoodsforyourbaby?
Tips:• Breastmilkorformulaistheonlyfoodyourbabyneeds.• Startingsolidfoodstooearlymaycauseallergiesorchoking.
• Waituntilyourbabyshowsallthesignsofreadiness,around6months.Signsincludesittingupwithoutsupport,reachingandgrabbing,andtakingfoodfromaspoon.
• WICwilladdcerealtobaby’sWICchecksatsixmonths.
• Donotputcerealinthebottle.Handout:• FeedingYourBaby:Birthto8Months
Food and drinks to avoidSuggested Question:• Whathaveyouheardaboutfoodordrinksthatyourbabyshouldnothaverightnow?
Tips:• Neverfeedyourbabyhoneyorfoodsmadewithhoney.• Startingsolidfoodstooearlymaycauseallergiesorchoking.
• Donotputcerealinthebottle.• Waterorjuiceisnotrecommendedbefore6months.Babiesgetenoughliquidfrombreastmilkorformula.
• Donotgiveregularcow’smilkuntilyourbabyturnsoneyearold.
Handout:• FeedingYourBaby:Birthto8Months
Topic of your choice Signs that baby is hungry or fullSuggested Question:• Howdoyouknowwhenyourbabyishungryorfull?Tips:• Feedbabywhenbabysucksonhand,smackslips,turnsheadtowardyourbreast,actsfussy.
• Stopfeedingbabywhenbabyturnsheadaway,closesmouth,losesinterestineating,orfallsasleep.
• Yourbabywillwanttobreastfeedortakeformulaevery2–3hours,eventhroughoutthenight.
• Donotforceyourbabytofinishabottle.• Youwillknowifyourbabyisgettingenoughifbabyhas6to8wetand4morepoopydiapersperday,andthedoctorsaysthatbabyisgainingweight.
Handouts:• ANutritionGuideforBirthto6Months• HowtoTellifYourBabyisHungry(tearoffsheet)• SignThatYourBabyisWellFed(BFbookmark)
DOH 960-024 November 2011
Infants 0–5 months
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Washington State WIC Nutrition Program does not discriminate. For persons with disabilities, this document is available on request in other formats. To submit a request, please call 1-800-841-1410 (TDD/TTY 1-800-833-6388).
