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Feeding your baby
- Breastmilk is the best food for most babies.
- Try to breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months of life.
- Babies are ready to start solid food at about 5 or 6 months.
Formula feeding
Breastmilk is the best food for most babies. However, some moms may be unable to breastfeed for health or other reasons. If you choose to feed your baby formula, there are some important things to know.
Formula comes ready to serve or in a liquid or powder that you mix with water. Check with your provider to see how much and what kind of formula your baby needs. Newborns eat about 2 to 3 ounces of formula every 3 to 4 hours. Here's how to feed your baby formula:
- Fill the bottle with the right amount of formula. If you use a bottle with a plastic liner, squeeze out all the air before you fill it so it won't cause your baby to have gas. Never heat a bottle in the microwave; it could get too hot for your baby.
- Tip the bottle to keep the nipple full of milk. Put the nipple in your baby's mouth. Never prop the bottle or put your baby to bed with a bottle; she could choke on the formula.
- After feeding, wash bottles, nipples and anything you use to prepare the formula in hot soapy water.
Safety tips
For more quick tips on feeding your baby formula , read Feeding and Food Safety for Baby from Consumer Reports.
February 2010
On the menu
- Newborn: Breastmilk or formula
- 4-6 months: Cereal mixed with baby's milk
- 6 months: Pureed, cooked fruits and veggies
- 8 months: Cooked veggies and fine cut meats
- 9 months: Macaroni, crackers, pieces of fruit
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501(c)(3).