What Does My Baby Eat?

Your newborn should only eat breast milk or formula. At around 6 months, you will begin introducing solid foods (in addition to breast milk or formula). You do not need to give your baby any additional water or food before then. The only supplement you may need to give your baby is vitamin D. Your baby's doctor will give you more information on this.

How Do I Know if My Baby Is Hungry?

When your baby is hungry, they might:

CRY

SUCK ON THEIR HANDS OR FINGERS

TURN TOWARD YOU WHEN YOU TOUCH THEIR FACE

MAKE SUCKING NOISES

NUZZLE AGAINST YOUR CHEST

STICK OUT THEIR TONGUE

For more guidance on how and when to feed your baby, learn about responsive feeding at HealthyChildren.org.

Quick Guide

Follow your baby’s hunger cues but expect the following general eating guidelines:

BREASTFED BABIES

8–12 feedings per day
Nursing sessions every 2-3 hours for 20-30 minutes per feeding

FORMULA-FED BABIES

1–3 oz. formula every 2–4 hours
First few Weeks

At least 4 oz. every 4 hours
1 month old

24–32 oz. over 4–5 feedings a day
By 6 months old

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby, but that doesn't mean it's easy. It's a learning process for you and your baby, and it may take weeks before you get the hang of it—and that's normal! If you're feeling lost or confused along the way, there are many people who can help.

Your doctor and your baby's doctor will be great resources for breastfeeding questions. Your birthing hospital may have lactation consultants who can give you helpful tips while you're in the hospital, and you can have a lactation consultant come to your home for a private visit. You can also call the women's health breastfeeding line to get answers to your questions right away at 800-994-9662.

How to Breastfeed Your Baby

The most important part of breastfeeding is ensuring your baby can properly latch. You may have been given help with this in the hospital, but if you have any trouble when you get home, do not hesitate to call your doctor, your baby's doctor, or a lactation consultant.

Here are a few tips:

Bring your baby close enough to your breast so they can find your areola without effort.

Stimulate your baby’s upper lip with your nipple until their mouth opens very wide.

Your baby’s chin and lower lip should be the first thing to make contact with your breast.

Your baby’s lip must be fully turned out and wrapped firmly against your areola.

Stimulate your baby’s upper lip with your nipple until their mouth opens very wide.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding Positions

There are many different breastfeeding positions, and it can take time to find the best option for you and your baby. If one position isn’t working, try another! Soon enough you’ll find the right one.

SIDE-LYING CRADLE

FOOTBALL

CRADLE HOLD

SIDE LYING

What will I need if I want to pump breast milk?

You will need a breast pump and breast milk storage bags. There are many excellent breast pumps available, and many are covered by insurance. If you qualify for WIC, they may be able to provide you with a breast pump. If you have any questions about finding a pump, you can talk to your baby’s doctor or the hospital where you delivered—there are many options.

Quick Guide

Pumped or expressed breast milk can be stored for later use. Follow these guidelines:

STORAGE TYPE / STORAGE TIME:

Room temperature, 77ºF (25ºC) or colder
Up to 4 hours

Cooler with frozen ice packs
Up to 24 hours

Refrigerator set to 40ºF (4ºC) or below
Best within 4 days, but can last up to 8 days

Freezer set to 0ºF (-18ºC) or below
Best within 6 months, but can last up to 12 months

Deep freezer set to -10ºF (-23ºC)or below
Up to 12 months

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Clearly label breast milk with a date, time, and amount before freezing.

Thaw milk in a bowl of warm water. Never use your microwave

Clearly label breast milk with a date, time, and amount before freezing.

Freeze breast milk in amounts your baby will eat to avoid waste

The advantages and challenges of breastfeeding

SOME CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT FACE IF BREASTFEEDING:

Only the baby’s mom can breastfeed

• This can be especially challenging if she has to go back to work or if other issues arise that keep her from being with the baby full time.
• Breast milk can be pumped so other caregivers can still feed the baby, but this does require storing the milk and getting it ready ahead of time.

Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable, especially at first

• This usually improves with time and practice.

Not always an options for mom’s with certain health concerns

• Such as when taking certain medications or with specific illnesses (such as HIV).

Increased risk of injury or safety issues

• Overheated breastmilk can cause burns.

Formula Feeding​

Although there are many benefits to breastfeeding, it may not be the right option for you, and that’s okay! Formula is a good alternative and will give your baby all of the nutrients they need. All that matters is that your baby is fed, whether that’s with breast milk or formula.

How do I choose which formula to give my baby?

There are many formula brands to choose from, and it can be hard to know which will be best for your baby. If you started formula while you were in the hospital, you can continue using the brand that the hospital offered. If you haven’t started formula yet and need help choosing, ask your baby’s doctor for a recommendation.

How will I know if my baby needs a different formula?

Most babies do very well with standard infant formulas, and it is best to choose one kind of formula and stick with it. It is normal for babies to be gassy, spit up, and fuss when they poop. But if you think your baby is uncomfortable, spitting up more than they should, or not drinking their formula, you should call your baby’s doctor. It may be time for a change.

Here are some signs that your baby might be having issues with their formula:

NOT GAINING ENOUGH WEIGHT

Here are some signs that your baby might be having issues with their formula:

BLOODY POOP

FREQUENT STRAINING

HARD POOP

Here are some signs that your baby might be having issues with their formula:

FREQUENT VOMITING

RECURRENT HIVES

SEVERE ECZEMA

Tracking your baby’s eating and diaper changes

In the early days with a newborn, it can be helpful to keep track of when and how much they eat, pee, and poop. This will help you see what is normal and what is not. If you need to discuss anything with your doctor, you will have everything written down in one place. Once feedings are well established, there is no need to keep tracking unless you have specific concerns. Some things you might want to track:

FEEDING

• Time of feed (when it started)
• If you’re breastfeeding, which breast your baby nursed on
• If you’re bottle-feeding, how many ounces your baby ate at each feeding
• If you’re pumping, how many ounces you pumped during a session.

DIAPERS

• Time of diaper change
• Whether it was pee, poop, or both
• If anything looks unusual