From birth to four months of age babies receive either breast milk or formula. Do not give baby fruit juice, water or solid foods during this time! If you are formula feeding, see your manufacturer’s directions/website for more information. This blog will not go into details about breastfeeding as there are many good sites that cover this area (see below).
Some things that are good to know…
• While most full-term infants have adequate stores of iron to help get them through the first 6 months of life, preterm and low birth weight infants may be at increased risk for iron deficiency anemia. Ask your doctor if your baby needs supplemental iron.
• The AAP recommends that breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D from the first few days of life until weaning.
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in brain development. Breastfeeding moms need to consume adequate DHA so that their breast milk contains enough for baby (you can buy formula that is supplemented). As part of your breastfeeding diet, eat 2-3 meals per week of fish, especially fatty fish (salmon, tuna, halibut and trout) or ask your doctor about fish-oil supplements.
• A breastfeeding diet should be balanced similar to how it was during pregnancy. If you are vegetarian make sure you are getting adequate B12. Remember to drink alcohol moderately (one glass right after breastfeeding is okay) and limit caffeine.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends against supplementing baby with fluoride the first 6 months of life.
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Breastfeeding Websites
For more Resources and References see 10 to 12 months page