Infancy is divided into three main stages, each of which is unique in terms of growth, developmental achievements, nutrition needs, and feeding patterns.
-Early infancy (birth to 6 months of age): The most rapid changes occur in early infancy.
-Middle infancy (from ages 6 to 9 months): Growth slows but still remains rapid.
-Late infancy (9 to 12 months of age): Growth slows but still remains rapid.
FREQUENTLY ASKED NUTRITION AND GROWTH QUESTIONS FOR INFANTS (0-12 MONTHS)
- Breastfeeding: How long should each breastfeeding be?
- Breastfeeding: How often should you breastfeed?
- Calculating How Much Formula or Breastmilk a Child Should Be Eating
- Estimating Energy Needs in Infants, Children, and Adolescents
- Formula Feeding: How Much Formula Should my Baby be Eating?
- Formula Feeding: How often should I feed my baby?
- Formula-Feeding: How long should each feeding last?
- How do you know if the baby is getting enough breast milk or formula?
- Vitamin D Supplementation for Infants
- Weight Changes at Different Ages
- When Should Breastfed Babies Be Supplemented with Iron?
- When Should I Introduce Cow’s Milk?
- When Should I Introduce Solid Foods?
- When Should I Introduce Water?
MORE NUTRITION AND GROWTH HANDOUTS FOR INFANTS (0-12 MONTHS)
- Feeding the baby for the first year of life
- How the infant meal pattern corresponds with food textures and feeding styles
- The sequence of infant development and feeding skills in normal, healthy, full-term infants.
- Estimated Energy Requirements for infants
- Estimated Energy requirements in kcal/kg/day for all ages.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE
Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., F.A.A.P. Your Child’s Health. (I recommend all my parents invest to get this book).
Infant Food and Feeding, AAP
Infant nutrition and feeding, USDA.gov
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/infants/infant-feeding-guide
Infant Food and Feeding, AAP
Infant nutrition and feeding, USDA.gov
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/infants/infant-feeding-guide
REFERENCES:
All of the following resources were last accessed 12/25/2016 except otherwise stated.
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-growth/faq-20058037
- Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., F.A.A.P. Your Child’s Health.
- http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/formulafeed-often.html
- https://brightfutures.aap.org/Bright%20Futures%20Documents/BFNutrition3rdEditionSupervision.pdf
- https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/feeding_infants.pdf
- Infant Formula, Am Fam Physician. 2009 Apr 1;79(7):565-570.
- https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/HALF-Implementation-Guide/Age-Specific-Content/Pages/Infant-Food-and-Feeding.aspx
- https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/wicworks//Topics/FG/CompleteIFG.pdf
- https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/infants/infant-feeding-guide
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/starting-solid-foods-during-infancy-beyond-the-basics