| Infant Nutrition FAQs |
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| Return to Child Nutrition FAQ Table of Contents |
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| How much should I feed an infant? |
| Babies drinking formula usually want to be fed every 3 – 4 hours. The amount of formula consumed can vary day to day as well as from meal to meal. When the baby stops nursing and turns her head away or closes her mouth tightly, she is signaling that she has had enough. Babies may want to eat less if they are teething or not feeling well and more if they are going through a growth spurt. |
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| When should I begin feeding infants solid food? |
| Most babies are ready to progress to solid foods sometime between 4 and 7 months of age. A baby is ready to add solid foods when the infant sits up, opens his mouth when something is approaching, and draws in his lower lips as a spoon is removed from his mouth.
It’s essential to discuss the baby’s readiness for solid foods with its parents. Continue to consult with each baby’s parents concerning which foods they have introduced. This allows you to follow the parents’ schedule as well as more easily identify food allergies or intolerances.
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| How should I introduce new foods to an infant? |
| It’s important to start new foods one at a time, waiting 5-7 days before starting the new food. If a reaction such as wheezing, a rash, vomiting or diarrhea occurs, discontinue the food and report the reaction to the baby’s parents, who can in turn notify the baby’s doctor. |
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| When should I introduce fruits or vegetables to an infant? |
| Fruits and vegetables may be introduced when the baby is readily accepting 2-3 tablespoons of infant cereal at each meal. Talk to the parents to see which fruits and vegetables are being consumed at home so you can serve the same food at the same time. The Child and Adult Care Food Program does not reimburse for infant fruit desserts, fruits with tapioca and creamed vegetables. |
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| What fruits and vegetables should I avoid? |
| Avoid foods such as corn, raw unpeeled apples, raw carrots, celery, lettuce, raisins and grapes because they may cause choking. Raw fruits (except ripe bananas) should also be avoided as they may be difficult for the baby to digest. |
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| When can I offer meat and meat alternates to an infant? |
| Meat and meat alternates can be offered to babies starting at 8 months of age. By that time most babies will be ready to replace some of the protein and iron from formula or breastmilk with meat. |
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| What table foods are appropriate for an infant? |
| Appropriate table foods to offer include well-cooked strained or pureed meats and poultry, boneless fish, egg yolk, pureed dry beans and dry peas, diced or grated cheese, or cottage cheese. If you are using commercial baby food, choose plain meats rather than the mixed meat and vegetables or noodle combination dinners (which do not meet Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements). You may mix the plain meats with vegetables after measuring to encourage meat acceptance by the baby. |
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| Are there additional foods I can serve to an infant? |
| Additional foods may be offered to the baby as they grow older and continue to learn the skills of eating. Fruit juice may be served to babies when they are ready to drink from a cup. The Child and Adult Care Food Program reimburses for snacks containing juice beginning at 8 months of age. Choose a juice that is fortified with Vitamin C. Citrus juices (orange and grapefruit) should be avoided as they are more likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Enriched crackers, bread, dry cereal, rice and macaroni are examples of additional foods not included in the Child and Adult Care Food Program infant meal patterns which may be served to infants. These foods are appropriate finger foods which can help the baby to develop the muscles and hand/eye coordination necessary for self-feeding. |
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| I’m caring for a 10 month old baby. The parent’s have requested that I start feeding milk instead of formula. Can I serve milk and still be reimbursed for this baby’s meals? |
| The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants continue on breastmilk or formula until one year of age. The Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements support that recommendation by requiring infants to remain on breastmilk or formula until one year. In order to claim this baby’s meals you would need to either continue serving infant formula or breastmilk until one year, or ask the baby’s parents to provide a Special Diet Statement signed by the baby’s physician stating that milk should be served. |
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PCI Providers: Did You Know!!