Caring For Your BabyBirth to 6 Months

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 infant formula with iron is all a baby needs to grow and develop for the first 6 months.
Baby Sleeping

Breastfeeding

You Have What I Need To Grow​.
Breast milk is perfect for a baby to grow.
  • It has all the nutrients a baby needs to stay healthy and not get sick.
  • Breast milk changes as a baby grows. The longer a baby is breastfed, the better.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you are exclusively breastfeeding to ask if extra vitamin D is necessary or if an iron supplement is needed at 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

Formula Feeding

If your baby drinks formula, it’s important to mix the ingredients the right way. Follow the mixing directions on the can.
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 your baby starts a feeding, throw away any formula left in the bottle after 1 hour.
watter bottle

Water

Healthy babies under 6 months old do not usually need to be given water bottles.

Paced Bottle Feeding

Whether it's breast milk or infant formula:
Bottle

Start by offering only a small amount at a time, 2 to 3 ounces of breast milk or formula.

Stopwatch

Let me be in control of how fast I drink from the bottle.

Battery

Trust me to know when I am full. Please don’t make me finish a bottle.

Clock

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

No-use-Microwave

Never microwave breast milk or infant formula. "Hot spots" can burn a baby's mouth. Warm up 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 your baby stay awake during feedings. Do not prop the bottle. It could cause your baby to choke or get an ear infection.
baby woman milk

I Need to Eat Often​

My stomach is small.
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CHERRY​

Day 1

Size of a cherry : 1-7.4 teaspoons

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Walnut​

Day 3

Size of a walnut : 0.075-1 ounce

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Apricot

One Week

Size of an apricot : 1.5-2 ounces

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Egg

One Month

Size of a large egg : 2.5-5 ounces

Birth to 1 Month

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A newborn's stomach is growing bigger every day. By 1 month of age, a newborn's stomach can hold about 2 to 3 ounces at a time.

1 to 3 Months

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An infant's stomach can hold about 2 to 4 ounces at a time.

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An infant feeds 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

Human milk is easier to digest and will digest fully in 1 1/2 hours.

Feeds are every 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

Watch for infant feeding cues to know your baby is satisfied.

4 to 6 Months

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An infant's stomach can hold about 4 to 6 ounces at a time.

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Feedings are 6 to 8 times in 24 hours.

Remember, all babies are different. They eat different amounts from one day to the next. As babies become older their stomach grows, so they 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”
alonebaby
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

Tip

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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.

Growth Spurts

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

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

GROWTH SPURTS
GROWTH-SPURTS-2
Your body will adjust to the amount of milk needed to keep up with growth spurts. The more you breastfeed or pump, the more milk you will make.

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!
play baby
Healthy

Look what I can do!​

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

Birth to 3 Months

father baby
The world is new to me. It can be scary. I may cry a lot at first.
  • Crying is my way to say I need you.
  • When we are skin-to-skin, I calm down. I learn that you care.
  • Holding me will not spoil me.
birth baby
I must learn what day and night are.
  • At first, I sleep, wake up and eat, and go back to sleep often. This is normal and helps me grow.
  • After I am 3 months old, I may sleep for longer periods of time.
  • Please be patient as I learn.
women baby
I know your voice.
  • I like to hear you talk.

4 to 6 Months

sleep baby
I start to settle into a routine.
  • I can sleep longer at night.
smiling baby
I’m growing strong and active.
  • I can hold my head up.
  • I know my name when you say it.
  • I babble ba-ba-ba!
  • I can laugh.
  • Let’s play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
baby learning
Please read to me.
  • Show me the pictures and tell me what they are.

KEEP ME SAFE AND HEALTHY​

Baby Sleep

ALWAYS put me to sleep…

ALONE on my

BACK, and in my

CRIB or PACK-N-PLAY.

You can share a room with your baby, but not the same bed. A baby can suffocate if a blanket, pillow, or toy is placed in the baby's bed.

Handwash

Wash your hands before making food and feedings.

baby

Clean your baby's gums and teeth with a clean, wet, soft cloth or a soft rubber or silicone finger brush after each feeding. Begin using a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears.

baby eating

Wait until your baby is 6 months of age before offering solid foods. Time is needed to develop the immune system and strengthen the mouth muscles to eat and swallow foods properly.

Do not feed solid foods before a baby is ready. It can cause your baby to choke or get sick.

DO NOT let your baby have these foods until they are at least 1 year old:
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Cow’s milk or other non-dairy milks (like soy or almond milk). It’s too hard for your baby to digest and may cause health problems.

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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

Healthcare providers say its ok to try peanut butter around 6 months of age. Doing this might help prevent a peanut allergy.
  • 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.
babyeating
For additional support, contact your local WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert for breastfeeding questions.

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 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

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

  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 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