Newborn nutrition: 0 to 6 monthsJune 2014Here is a brief summary of infant nutrition from 0 to 6 months.

From birth up to 4-6 monthsDoses for bottle-feedingPractical adviceMilk terminologySources

From birth up to 4-6 months

During the first 4 to 6 months, your baby's diet should exclusively be milk until weaning begins. Itis not safe to wean before 4 months and if possible breast milk remains the best choice whenfeeding a newborn baby as it covers the nutritional needs of the child up to 6 months and then isa great supplement as food starts to replace milk as the main source of nutrition. Formula milk isused when breast feeding can not be achieved.

Doses for bottle-feeding

Please refer to the bottle feeding article for more detailed information on how to make up bottlefeeds. The follwing amounts are an approximate guide and can vary from baby to baby.

First two weeks from birth : 90mls of milk 6 times a dayFirst month (from birth to 1 month): 120 mls of milk 6 times a day.Second month (from 1 month to 2 months): 150mls of milk 6 times a day.Third month (from 2 months to 3 months): 180mls of milk 5 times a day.Fourth month (from 3 months to 4 months): 180mls of milk 5 times a day.Fith and sixth month (from 4 months to 6 months): 210mls of milk 5 times a day.

Practical advice

The volume suggested for each feeding-bottle can be adapted more or less according tothe appetite of your child, while remaining within reasonable limits (30 ml of water + 1 levelscoop of formula milk powder.)Never force your child to finish his feeding-bottle.Allow for pauses during a feed to wind your baby and especially at the end.The duration of a feed is variable, but should not exceed 45 min.

Feeds are approximately 3 hours apart, however your baby may vary slightly so be guidedby them, but do not allow a new born baby to go any longer than 6 hours without a feed.In hot weather, cooled boiled water can be given. Do not add sugar and avoid any juiceswhen starting to wean.

Milk terminology

From birth to 6 months: 1st stage milks = formula milk for infants.From 6 months up to 12 months: 2nd stage milks = Formula 'follow on milks' Usually forhungrier babies .From 12 months up to 3 years: Growing up milk = formula for young children., however,cows milk along with a well balance diet is sufficient in delivering nutritionally balanced dietfor children.

Sources

NHS advice on bottle feeding NHS advice on breastfeeding Photographic copyright: © DanielFuhr - Fotolia.com

Alimentation du nourrisson - 0 à 6 mois Alimentación del bebé de 0 a 6 mesesSäuglingsernährung von 0 bis 6 Monaten

This document entitled « Newborn nutrition: 0 to 6 months » from Kioskea (health.kioskea.net) is made availableunder the Creative Commons license. You can copy, modify copies of this page, under the conditions stipulated bythe licence, as this note appears clearly.