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Infant Nutrition Information

Our work at L.I.F.E. Houston today helps create the leaders of our community tomorrow.

Babies need a strong start in life because it lays the foundation for their entire future. The basic structure of a human brain is built through a process that starts before birth and goes on through adulthood. Like building a house, you start with laying down the foundation, framing the rooms, and wiring the electrical systems.

 

Just like a foundation forms the shape of a building, a baby’s early experiences literally shape how the baby’s brain is built. Babies with a strong start in life have a strong foundation to build on. If a baby does not have the chance to build a strong foundation, they are more likely to have developmental and behavioral problems later in life.

 

Breastmilk and formula help build a stronger foundation because they have necessary fats and nutrients for early brain development. By making sure all babies have access to formula, we make sure that babies have the ingredients for a strong start. 

Did you know?

  • The brain grows more in the first two years of life than at any other period of time.

  • Inadequate nutrition during early childhood can impede brain development and has lasting effects on a child’s ability to learn.

  • For the first two years of life, 50% of a child’s total calories should come from fat. Breast milk or formula provides the necessary fat and nutrients.

  • When formula is not available, some parents may water down baby formula or substitute other non-nutritious liquids. These liquids can compromise a child’s healthy development and in some extreme cases, lead to death.

  • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk or formula should be a child’s sole nutritional source for the first four to six months and the major source of nutrition throughout the first year.

Image by Meghan Thompson

About baby's nutrition...

 

Newborn - 1 Month

  • Exclusive Breastfeeding or Formula Feeding

    • BREAST MILK - every 2-3 hours, or 6-8 feedings per day

    • FORMULA - every 3-4 hours, or 6-8 feedings per day, 2-3 oz per feeding

 

1 - 4 Months

  • Every 4-5 hours, or 5-6 feedings per day 6-8 oz per feeding

     

4 - 6 Months

  • 4-6 Feedings daily

  • Maximum of 32 oz per day

  • 4 months infant can try cereal

  • 6 months infant is ready for strained vegetables and fruit (single ingredients)

 

7 - 9 Months

  • 6-8 oz

  • 24-30 oz total per day

  • Stage 2 baby food (strained combination foods)

*Introduce juice at 6 months (Give 3-4 oz of juice with a cup)

**8 months introduce foods that have more texture

 

10 - 12 Months

  • 6-8 oz

  • 3-5 feedings daily

  • 24 oz per day

  • Stage 3 baby food (complex combination foods)

About baby's feeding...

 

About baby's activities...

 

Newborn - 3 Months

  • Sleeps a lot, but does not really have a schedule.

  • Goes though six to ten diapers per day. It is  a good practice to change diaper as soon as it is wet or soiled.

  • At one month, follows  moving faces with my eyes.

 

4 - 6 Months

  • Rolls over.

  • Grabs things and puts them in mouth.

  • Shakes things and listens to the sound they make.

  • Recognizes familiar faces, voices and objects.

  • Babbles a lot and tries to imitate sounds.

 

 

7 - 9 Months

  • Imitates the sounds heard inspiring learning.

  • Sits up and crawls or move forward by scooting.

  • Teeth may be coming in. Clean gums and teeth twice a day.

  • Keep me safe as I explore my world and our home with my hands and mouth.

  • Move toys from hand to hand.

 

10 - 12 Months

  • Shake, bang, throw and drop objects.

  • Saying one or two words and repeating them often.

  • Look at pictures in books and magazines and pay attention when someone reads.

  • Love to shake head

Anchor 1

Newborn - 5 Months

When hungry:

 

  • Cries

  • Fusses

  • Wakes and tosses

  • Sucks on fists

  • Opens mouth

 

When full:

 

  • Seals lips

  • Turns head away

  • Decreases or stops sucking

  • Spits out nipple

  • Falls asleep

When full:

 

  • Decrease or stops sucking

  • Spits out nipple

  • Turns head away

  • Gets distracted

  • Stops paying attention

 

 

When hungry:

 

  • Cries

  • Fusses

  • Shows smiles during feeding

  • Gazes into eyes

  • Moves head towards food

  • Tries to swipe food into mouth

4 - 6 Months

When full:

 

  • Slows down when eating

  • Pushes food away

When hungry:

 

  • Reaches towards the food or spoon

  • Points to food

5 - 9 Months

When full:

 

  • Slows down eating

  • Closes mouth tightly

  • Pushes food away

When hungry:

 

  • Reaches for food

  • Points to food

  • Gets excited when food is seen

8 - 11 Months

When full:

 

  • Shakes head to say “no more”

When hungry:

 

  • Makes words or sounds to show wanting specific foods

     

10 - 12 Months

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