Baby Feeding Patterns

Breast milk is digested more rapidly than cow's milk formula. Breast-fed babies usually require feeding every 2 to 3 hours. While this feeding may develop into a pattern, a pattern should not be forced on the breast-fed baby. It is important that the breasts be emptied regularly to prevent engorgement and suppression of the milk secreting cells.

Bottle-fed babies can be worked into a more regular schedule that better accommodates that family. These babies only require feeding about every four hours.

Regardless of the method you choose to feed your baby, whole cow's milk should not be given until your baby is one year old. Babies under one year have a difficult time digesting cow's milk.

Between six and twelve months you can begin introducing solid foods. Foods should only be introduced one at a time. This allows you to observe for allergic reactions. New foods should also only be given when your child is hungry. At six months, or when your health care provider recommends, you can begin pureed, strained, or finely mashed foods. Between six and seven months you can begin crackers, vegetables and fruit. Between nine and twelve months commercially prepared junior foods or chopped table foods can be eaten.

Review Date: June 29, 2001
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network


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