Infant feeding courses for the whole first year

However you feed your baby, the basics are worth getting right. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend breast milk alone for about the first 6 months if possible. If you use formula, the CDC says that for most babies you can follow the instructions on the container using safe tap water. For babies under 2 months old, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system, the CDC advises mixing powdered formula with water heated to about 158°F (70°C) and then cooling it, and never warming bottles in the microwave.

Solid foods usually start at about 6 months, when a baby has good head control, can sit with little support, shows interest in food and can move food from a spoon to the back of the mouth. The AAP suggests offering one single-ingredient food at a time, every 3 to 5 days, and including iron-rich foods. Allergenic foods such as eggs, peanut foods, shellfish and wheat can be introduced with other foods at about 6 months; if your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, talk to your pediatrician about peanut foods as early as 4 to 6 months.

Your pediatrician, a lactation consultant (IBCLC) and, if you are eligible, your local WIC office all offer feeding support. Our courses sit alongside them with feed logs, pumping schedules, allergen logs and planners.