Booklet_0to6Months_WIC_Print.pdf

0 TO 6 MONTHS

FEEDING

YOUR BABY

Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the first big decisions to make. Breastfeeding or chestfeeding is a healthy choice for you and your baby. Human milk changes over time to meet your growing baby’s needs.

If you choose not to breastfeed/chestfeed, your baby will need iron-fortified infant formula.

Some families use both human milk and formula.

Any amount of human milk is healthy for you and your baby.

WIC staff are here to support you, no matter how you decide to feed your baby.

CHOOSE YOUR FEEDING PLAN

Ask your baby’s health care provider if vitamin D is needed.

FORMULA HUMAN MILK

Babies under six months do not need extra water to drink.

They get the water they need in human milk or formula.

Most babies under six months are not ready for any other foods yet.

Antibodies

And More

Growth Factors

Enzymes

Hormones

Anti-Viruses

Anti-Allergies

Anti-Parasites

Probiotics

Prebiotics

Minerals

Vitamins

Fat

DHA/ARA

Carbohydrates

Protein

Water

Minerals

Vitamins

Fat

DHA/ARA

Carbohydrates

Protein

Water

Disease Fighting Stem Cells

Anti-Cancer

LEARN YOUR BABY’S SIGNS

Feeding your baby is a special time to connect. Learning and responding to your baby’s early hunger and fullness signs will build trust and help them learn to eat when they are hungry. It is important to follow your baby’s lead and not a feeding schedule.

Puts hands in/near mouth.

Moves arms and legs.

Opens mouth and searches for nipple (roots).

Sucking slows or stops.

Turns away from nipple.

Relaxes body and opens fists.

Sometimes fussy babies just need snuggles. Skin-to-skin contact makes your baby feel warm, safe and loved.

SIGNS OF HUNGER SIGNS OF FULLNESS

Allow your baby to set the pace of a feeding. Stop feeding when your baby shows signs they are done.

Feed your baby when awake and calm.

Crying tends to be a late sign of hunger.

Always hold your baby when they eat.

Never prop the bottle or put your baby to bed with a bottle.

AGE OF

BABY

Day 1

Cherry

Every 11/2 – 2 hours

1 tsp 1/2 – 1 oz 1 – 2 oz

16 – 32 oz

Day 2

Walnut

Newborns need to eat often—about 8–12 times every 24 hours in the first few weeks.

AMOUNT

PER

FEEDING

HOW

OFTEN

AMOUNT

PER DAY

FEEDING GUIDELINES

Every baby is different—Your baby may eat more often one day and less on another.

No matter how you feed your baby, look for their signs of hunger and fullness.

The feeding amounts below are common when using bottles.

Lime

1–3 Weeks

STOMACH

SIZE

On demand by watching for feeding cues, or about:

Talk to your baby’s health care provider about feeding guidelines, including the best time to start solid foods, if:

Every 2 – 3 hours Every 3 – 4 hours

2 – 3 oz 4 – 6 oz 4 – 8 oz

24 – 36 oz 32 – 40 oz

Egg

1–2 Months 3–4 Months

Orange

5–6 Months

Grapefruit

Overfeeding can cause gas, discomfort and spitting up.

Follow safe feeding practices in Keeping Baby Safe on page 10.

Your baby was premature or has other medical conditions.

You have concerns about food allergies or your baby has had eczema.

The Scoop on Poop After the first week of life, your baby’s poop pattern may vary. They may poop several times a day to once every few days. This is normal, as long as the poop is like the color and textures above.

AGE OF

BABY

NUMBER

OF WET

DIAPERS

NUMBER

OF POOPY

DIAPERS

COLOR AND

TEXTURE

OF POOPY

DIAPER

Day 1

1 within 24 hours after birth

Thick, tarry, black

Day 2

Days 3–4

Looser, greenish to yellow

Days 5–7

Weeks 1–6

6 or more

May slow down to 1 every

2–3 days

Loose, seedy, yellow (Human Milk)

Pasty, yellow to brown (Formula)

It’s normal if your baby has more wet or poopy diapers.

IS BABY GETTING ENOUGH?

Most babies lose a little weight after birth yet return to birth weight by two weeks of age.

Watching your baby’s diapers helps you know if they are getting enough to eat and gaining weight.

Loose, seedy, yellow (Human Milk)

Pasty, yellow to brown (Formula)

Have any big pattern changes.

Seem uncomfortable.

Have small, hard stools.

Go through less than six wet diapers a day (after days 1–2).

Do not make at least one poopy diaper a day by day four.

Have black (after days 1–2), red or white poopy diapers.

In The First Week: After The First Week:

SPITTING UP

All babies spit up—some more than others. This is normal. Try:

GASSINESS

All babies have gas. Too much gas can cause discomfort, fussiness or crying. Grunting, straining, turning red and crying with gas is normal if your baby is feeding well, gaining weight and having poopy diapers as described. Gas does not always mean your baby has belly issues or a milk or formula intolerance.

GROWTH SPURTS

Your baby will go through many growth spurts in the first year. These may happen at any time, as every baby is different. Feedings may be closer together. This is called cluster feeding and may seem like a lot, but it is normal.

Feeding before they are too hungry.

Burping when they take breaks during feedings.

Holding in an upright position and limiting bouncing or active play after feedings.

Contact your baby’s health care provider if they:

Make sure to take care of yourself during this time. Let your loved ones help by making meals, changing diapers or with housekeeping.

WHAT TO EXPECT

AT 2 MONTHS, MOST BABIES:

AT 4 MONTHS, MOST BABIES:

AT 6 MONTHS, MOST BABIES:

Look at your face.

React to loud sounds.

Watch you as you move.

Hold their head up when on their tummy.

Move both arms and legs.

Turn toward the sound of your voice.

Look at their hands with interest.

Hold their head steady without support when you hold them.

Bring their hands to their mouth.

Push up on their elbows and forearms when on their tummy.

Sit with little help.

Hold their head steady.

Reach to grab what they want.

Show interest and open their mouth for food.

Stop pushing objects out of mouth with their tongue.

Close their lips to show they don’t want any more food.

Allow your baby to move and explore, from tummy time to sitting to crawling. This builds the connections between their brain and muscles. Help your baby move, even during everyday routines like diapering, bathing and dressing. Simple games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo encourage your baby to move.

Avoid screen time. Talk, play, sing and read with your baby for brain growth.

Do not give infant cereal or food in a bottle.

This could increase choking and will not make your baby sleep through the night or eat less during the day.

They learn from watching you.

Bring your baby to the family table to watch and learn.

Do not give juice, soda pop or sweet drinks.

FIRST BITES AND SIPS

Your baby is ready to start solid foods, along with their human milk and/or formula routine when they show signs of readiness around six months of age. You may also start to offer small amounts of water in a cup. Your baby may not eat much right away; follow their lead and let them play.

KEEPING BABY SAFE

When mixing formula, follow the steps on the container and any instructions from your baby’s health care provider. Mixing formula the wrong way can harm your baby.

Heat bottles under running warm water, not in the microwave which can cause ‘hot spots’ that may burn your baby.

Wash your hands:

Use fresh, refrigerated: After a feeding, throw out leftover:

Clean bottles, bottle parts and breast pump equipment after each use.

Before feeding and preparing bottles.

Before pumping human milk.

After diapering your baby.

Human milk within 4 days.

Formula within 24 hours.

Human milk after 2 hours.

Formula after 1 hour.

Skin rash or hives.

Swelling.

More gas than usual.

Diarrhea or vomiting.

Blood in stool.

Breathing problems.

Call your baby’s health care provider if you suspect allergic reactions.

You know your baby best.

Your questions and concerns are important. Talk to your baby’s health care provider or WIC staff at any time.

Clean your baby’s gums with a clean, moist washcloth twice a day.

Newborn to 6 Weeks While your baby is getting used to the world, their sleep will be unpredictable.

Newborns may sleep for a couple hours (or less) at a time and will wake up many times throughout the day and night.

6 to 8 Weeks Your baby may be awake more during the day. Waking up at night is still normal and healthy.

About 3 Months At night, your baby may sleep for longer periods of time, and wake up less often.

About 6 Months Your baby may sleep up to six hours at a time.

Alone: Keep your baby’s sleep space clutter free—no pillows, blankets or toys.

Back: Put your baby to bed on their back.

Crib: Use a crib, bassinet or pack and play with a firm mattress.

SLEEP PATTERNS

SAFE SLEEP

When your baby sleeps at naps and night, remember the ABCs.

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.

This could cause tooth decay or an ear infection.

Babies may wake up more often during growth spurts, sickness or changes in routine.

SLEEP TIME

Your baby’s sleep will change and become more predictable as they grow and develop. It is normal and healthy for babies to wake up at night. They may wake up because they are hungry or they may wake up for other reasons, like needing a diaper change or to be comforted.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, national origin, color, sex, disability, religion, age, height, weight, familial status, partisan considerations, or genetic information. Sex-based discrimination includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, and pregnancy.

DCH-1480 • June 2024

Learn more about your baby’s changing needs by completing online lessons at www.wichealth.org.