Caring for your babyBirth to 6 Months

Mom Baby

Hello World

I am your baby. You are my everything.

Please help me grow strong in body, heart, and mind. I grow best when you:

  • Hold me skin-to-skin or cuddle me. I feel safe in your arms.
  • Smile and talk to me. I learn so much from you.
  • Listen to me when I “talk” to you. I use my body movements and noises to tell you when I am hungry, full, uncomfortable, or just tired.
Breast milk or baby formula with iron is all I need to grow and develop for my first 6 months.

No extra water or fluids beyond breast milk or baby formula are needed. Too much water can cause health concerns.
Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

You Have What I Need To Grow​.

Breast milk is the perfect food for me.

  • It has all the nutrients I need to help me stay healthy and not get sick.
  • Your breast milk changes as I grow. The longer we breastfeed, the better.

Talk with our healthcare provider if we are exclusively breastfeeding to ask if I need extra vitamin D. Ask about an iron supplement when I’m about 6 months old.

Formula Feeding

If I drink formula, it’s important to mix the ingredients the right way. Follow the mixing directions on the can. It isn’t safe to add more or less water to the bottle unless you are directed to do so by a physician.

Always add water to the bottle first, then the powder formula.

Always use the scoop provided in the can of formula. Make sure it is level.

Use prepared infant formula within 2 hours after taking it out of the refrigerator.

Once I start feeding, throw away any formula left in the bottle after 1 hour.

Use small, 4 ounce sized bottles, until I am 2 months or older, to help prevent overfeeding.

Choose the nipple based on my age and development. If the opening is too large, the milk may flow too fast causing me to swallow too much air and eat too quickly. And too small of an opening may cause me to become frustrated and give up before finishing the feeding.

Formula Feeding
Paced Bottle Feeding

Paced Bottle Feeding

Help me be in control of how fast or slow to eat with paced bottle feeding. This can help prevent overfeeding, which can be uncomfortable for me. After a few days I will learn how to pace myself while I eat – taking breaks when I need them and then continuing to eat.

Whether it’s breast milk or formula in my bottle:

  • Offer me 2 to 3 ounces of breast milk or formula in a small, 4 ounce bottle with a slow flow nipple.
  • Hold me on your lap in a semi-upright position, supporting my head and neck.
  • Tickle my lip so I open wide, then help me get a good latch on the bottle nipple.
  • Hold the bottle flat (or sideways) and let me start sucking on the empty nipple, then tip the bottle just a little so about half the nipple fills with milk.
  • Let me suck for about 20-30 seconds, so I get about 3-5 swallows, then tip the bottle back down to give me a quick break.
  • When I start to suck again, tip the bottle again so more milk flows into the nipple.
  • Trust me to know when I am done eating by watching for signs I am full – I might stop sucking after taking a break, turn my head away, or push away from the nipple.

Keep prepared bottles in a refrigerator until you are ready to feed me and use them within 24 hours.

Never microwave breast milk or formula.  “Hot spots” can burn my mouth.  Ouch! Warm up my bottles in hot water instead. 

I Need Your Touch

Hold me when you feed me.
I feel safe with you and love to look at your face.

Sometimes I may take a break from eating, even though I’m not full yet. I just want to rest or share some special time with you.

Help me stay awake while you feed me. Please don’t prop up my bottle. I could choke or get an ear infection.

I Need to Eat Often

My stomach is small.

Remember, all babies are different. I may eat different amounts from one day to the next. As I become older and my stomach grows, I may eat less often, but can eat more at each feeding.

Look for My Signs

I use body movements and make noises to let you know what I need. If you look for these signs, you can respond to me before I start to cry. I am much easier to feed when I am calm.

“I’M HUNGRY”

When I’m starting to get hungry, I might:

  • Bring hands to or near my mouth
  • Move arms and legs
  • Make sucking noises
  • Move mouth or tongue
  • Turn head or search for the nipple (root)

“I’M FULL”

FeedingBaby

When I’m feeling full, I might:

  • Suck slower or stop sucking
  • Relax hands and arms
  • Turn away from the nipple
  • Push away
  • Fall asleep
  • Frown, fuss, or kick if you keep feeding me

Growth Spurts

As I grow, my routine might change, and I may want to eat and sleep more than usual. These are called growth spurts.

Eating for pregnancy

All babies are different, but my growth spurts might happen when I’m around the ages of:

2-3-weeks
2 to 3 weeks
4 to 6 weeks
3 months
4 months
6 months
9 months

Your body also knows what I need and will make more milk to keep up with my growth spurts. The more often you breastfeed or pump, the more milk you will make.

If I act hungry after I finish a feeding, offer me the breast again. If I am taking a bottle, offer me another ounce or two.

BabyPlaying

Play with me!

I’m ready to learn about you, me, and the world we live in.
I want to discover what my body can do.

Give me TUMMY TIME when we play.

When I’m alert and relaxed, put me on a blanket on the floor. Watch how I stretch and kick my legs and move my arms. I’m making them stronger.

PLAYING helps me learn, improve coordination, build strength, explore, and bond with you!
BabyPlaying

Look what I can do!

I learn best when I feel happy, loved, and safe.

baby_dad

Keep me safe and healthy

  • ALWAYS put me to sleep alone on my back, and in my crib or pack-n-play. We can share a room, but not the same bed. I could suffocate if a blanket, pillow, or toy covers my mouth or nose.
  • Wash your hands before making my food and feeding me.
  • After I eat, wipe my gums with a clean, soft, wet cloth, especially before bed.
  • Wait until I’m about 6 months of age before offering solid foods. I need time to develop my immune system and strengthen the muscles in my mouth to eat and swallow foods properly. If I’m given solid foods before I’m ready, I could choke or get sick.

DON’T let me have these foods until I am at least 1 year old:

Cow’s milk or other non-dairy milks (like soy or almond milk). It’s too hard for me to digest and may cause health problems.

Honey and foods made with honey. Honey can contain bacteria that cause infant botulism, or food poisoning. These bacteria are harmless to older kids and adults.

Introducing Peanut Butter

If my healthcare provider says it is ok, let me try peanut butter around 6 months of age. Doing this might help prevent a peanut allergy as I grow older.

In the morning, mix one teaspoon of peanut butter with breast milk or formula. Make it thin and easy to swallow.

Use a spoon to offer a taste of the thinned product. Wait 10 minutes, then offer more. Watch for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

FeedingBaby

For additional support, contact your local WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert for breastfeeding questions.

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position