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Nutrition for Infants

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Infant Feeding and Developmental Milestones

Hunger and Satiety Cues

Age

Birth – 3 Months

Age

4 – 7 Months

Age

8 – 12 Months

Birth – 3 Months

Hunger Cues

  • Opens and closes mouth
  • Roots around when someone is holding the baby
  • Making smacking and suckling noises
  • Sucking on fingers, toes, toys, or clothing

Satiety Cues

  • Slows or decreases suckling
  • Turns head away from nipple
  • Falls asleep
  • Extends/relaxes arms and legs

4 – 7 Months

Hunger Cues

  • Smiles, and/or gazes at parent or caregiver
  • Moves head toward food or spoon

Satiety Cues

  • Releases from nipple and may seal lips shut
  • More easily distracted by surroundings
  • Turns head away from food

8 – 12 Months

Hunger Cues

  • Reaches for spoon or food
  • Gets excited about food
  • Starts chopping when others are eating

Satiety Cues

  • Eating slows down
  • Clenches mouth shut
  • Shakes head or says ‘no more’

Infants, especially newborns, go through several developmental milestones, making identifying hunger and satiety cues difficult. Try to take note of what your little one does to show hunger before he or she cries. Crying is a sign of distress and hunger cues occur prior to crying.

Finger Food Ideas

WIC suggests starting to offer your baby solid foods when they reach six months of age. Your doctor may recommend starting earlier. If your doctor recommends starting earlier, it’s encouraged that you have a conversation about the types of foods to offer for your child’s age. Below are finger food ideas for infants aged six months to one year. Always remember to serve food in pieces that are smaller than your child’s thumb.

Puffs or Dry Cereal

Bread

Crackers

Soft Fruit

Broccoli

Avocado

Pasta

Beans

Steamed or Boiled Carrots

Cottage Cheese

Cheese Cubes

Sweet Potatoes

Cauliflower

Soft and Tender Meat or Poultry

MIXING INFANT FORMULA 

Carefully read and follow the instructions on the infant formula container. These steps will help you know how to prepare and store your infant’s formula correctly. Preparing your infant’s formula according to the instructions is important.

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Click here for the WIC Mixing Infant Formula Guide
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Click here to visit the CDC Page on infant formula preparation and storage

Homemade Infant Formula is NOT Safe

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and several other organizations advise parents and caregivers to not make or feed homemade infant formula to infants.

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Click here to VISit the FDA's advisory
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Click here to Read the American Academy of pediatrics statement

 

Watch the video below provided by the San Bernadino County Department of Public Health WIC program on the dangers of homemade infant formula. 

Nursing Support

If your child is still nursing and you feel that you have tried everything and it’s just not going well, please see our Nursing Your Baby page.

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Click Here to Visit the Nursing Your Baby Page