Is your baby eating enough?

Your baby’s development depends most on proper nutrition. What she eats, after all, supplies the energy to support that rapid growth. But how can you be sure your baby is eating the right amount of the nutritious foods she needs? Here are some guidelines:

• Pay attention to your baby's appetite. Let your infant regulate her intake to meet her caloric needs. You can help teach moderation by simply discontinuing feedings at the earliest sign your baby wants to stop.
• Watch for hunger and fullness cues. They’re easier to detect if your baby is breastfeeding. Since you don't know how much milk she's taken, you assume she's satisfied when she's not interested.
  
  On the other hand if she's bottle-fed and she consumes less than what you think is adequate, you may be tempted to pressure her to consume more. Remember: Appetite cues, not the markings on the bottle, are your best guide. Here are some age-appropriate cues:
  • 6 to 9 months: A baby can communicate "I want that!" by grabbing the spoon. Or say "No more!" by pushing the dish away or refusing to open her mouth.
  • Toddler: She’ll let you know with simple words, such as "no" or "juice" or by gestures.
  • 18 months: She'll be able to combine simple phrases and gestures—holding up a cup and saying "more juice," for example.