March 27, 2009, Newsletter Issue #122: How do you know your baby is getting enough food?

Tip of the Week

While the amount of food your baby will eat greatly depends on the age – young babies rarely overeat. Ideally, you should continue to feed them until they stop eating or start to play with their food, a sure sign they are no longer hungry. As long as you only offer your baby healthy foods: breast milk, formula, fruits, vegetables, cereals and meats, they will remain well taken care of and not gain too much weight.

A general guideline for food quantities and a baby's age are the following:

• Birth – 4 Months: On-demand formula or breast feeding. Infants tend to eat every two to three hours and eat when hungry, stop when full.

• 4 Months – 6 Months: Breast milk or formula 28-38 ounces, 0-100 calories of solid foods.

• 6 Months – 9 Months: Breast milk or formula 24-34 ounces, 200-300 calories of solid foods.

• 9 Months – 12 Months: Breast milk or formula 20-30 ounces, 300-500 calories of solid foods.

Once children pass a year of age, they can really begin to explore a wider range of solid foods and will usually eat smaller portions of what the family consumes.

Keep in mind that babies' appetites are individual and will change throughout the day and as your child grows.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.