All major American pediatric and health organizations strongly recommend breastfeeding babies for at least the first six months of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the preeminent authorities on such issues, recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and regularly breastfed for the first year or as long as it is comfortable for both mother and baby. There is abundant research showing that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to nourish an infant. And though formula can be good, the mother’s body naturally produces the right milk for the baby throughout the stages of early development.
Yet despite what all the health authorities say about breastfeeding, many mothers simply cannot live up to those high standards. Even the most forward-thinking American companies rarely give their employees more than three months of maternity leave, and once a new mom goes back to work, exclusive breastfeeding becomes all but impossible. If you have limited maternity leave or no leave at all, do not feel bad about it. You can still raise a perfectly healthy baby. The key is to breastfeed exclusively for as long as you reasonably can, then breastfeed regularly for as long as you can, and make the transitions as smoothly as possible.
Transitioning to formula
Long before making the transition, it is important to carefully consider what type of formula you are going to use. No doubt you will get many recommendations from friends and family, and you may also find some interesting formula reviews online. However, keep in mind that your baby is ultimately in charge. If she rejects a certain type of formula-which may happen for any number of reasons-you will of course have to try a different one. That is why it is a good idea to begin experimenting with formula long before you have to make the full transition from the breast.
The main categories of formula are cow’s-milk-based formulas and soy-based formulas, and there are some products that combine both main ingredients. You will also have to choose between powdered formulas, which tend to be cheapest, concentrated formulas, which require mixing with water, and liquids, which tend to be the most expensive but are very convenient. Again, there are pros and cons to each of these options, and you will have to experiment with your baby to find out which one he best takes to. Rest assured, though, that most of the mainstream baby formulas are quite healthy and are fortified with most of the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs.
The next difficult question to answer is exactly how much formula your baby needs. When you breastfeed, it is impossible to know exactly how much your baby drinks because it is not as if you can measure that milk before using it. With formula the best approach is to learn your baby’s signals and to take her cues. Feed her when she seems hungry, and stop when she seems full. But of course, it is rarely that easy, which is why it is good to be aware of some basic guidelines:
- Newborns usually consume about 1.5 to 3 ounces of milk or formula every two to three hours.
- Two- to four-month-olds consume about 4 to 5 ounces every three or four hours.
- Four- to six-month-olds consume up to 6 ounces at each feeding.
- Past six months, babies often consume around 25 ounces per day, though the number depends on whether the baby has begun solid foods.
Introducing solids
To eat solid foods, a baby needs to have full neck control and the ability to sit up on her own. For most babies this occurs somewhere between the ages of four and six months. However, young infants reflexively push solid foods out of their mouths, so you will also have to wait for your child to outgrow this.
When you think your baby is ready to start solids, continue your usual breastfeeding or formula routine. The solid foods are just going to be a supplement for quite a while. Start with a small amount (about one tablespoon) of whole-grain baby cereal mixed into four to five tablespoons of breast milk or formula and offer it to her with a spoon a couple of times a day. As she gets better at it, gradually lower the amount of milk or formula you use so the substance becomes thicker.
Once your baby has mastered cereal, it is time to move on to pureed fruits, vegetables, or meats. Keep in mind, however, that it is a good idea to introduce foods to your baby one at a time. This helps make the transition smooth, and it will also indicate whether your child has any food allergies. So when you switch to pureed foods, make them yourself or buy only the single-ingredient ones for now.
Eventually your child will be ready to begin eating finely chopped foods such as vegetables, fruits, crackers, pasta, and cheese. But there is no need to rush him to this stage. Continue feeding him milk or formula while supplementing the diet with cereal and pureed foods, and every once in a while experiment with some finely chopped solids. At some point, usually when the child is between eight months and one year old, he should naturally begin to take to it.