Feeding your baby can feel overwhelming, especially during their first year. This guide covers what and when to feed your little one, breastmilk versus formula and tips to make feeding easier and stress-free.

There are few things as confusing as feeding in the first year of your baby’s life (especially for first-time parents!). What should they eat? How often? How do you know when to drop nighttime feeds? Does starting solids affect bottle feeding? We know—your head is spinning.

We’re here to help. We’ve pulled together the primer you need to make educated decisions on everything from breastmilk and formula to feeding basics by stage. We’ll also throw in smart tips for storing breastmilk and using formula, so you have the dos and don’ts down cold.

Breastmilk vs. Formula: Understanding Your Options

You have no doubt heard the adage “breast is best,” and there is a reason for that: Breastmilk, and colostrum before that, contains antibodies to support your baby’s immune system, as well as being a complete food source containing all the vitamins and minerals required for growth. What’s even more amazing is that breastmilk adapts to your baby’s changing needs. Breastmilk is reported to include more antibodies when your baby is sick, for example. Your body also learns to produce the amount of milk your
little one needs as they mature.

This is great in theory. However, breastfeeding can be a difficult journey. For some mothers and babies, it never really comes together. Moms can have low milk supply or suffer from repeated breast infections, babies can be tongue-tied or have trouble latching…the list goes on. Plus, the fact is that some women just don’t love the idea of breastfeeding and choose not to do it. Both nursing and bottle-feeding are valid choices.

The good news is that all infant formulas provide what your baby needs (they are actually formulated to closely resemble breastmilk). Formula is federally regulated, so you really can’t go with whatever brand you choose. That said, many companies do create options with different needs in mind—you can now get hypoallergenic formulas, lactose-free formulas, soy-based formulas, easy-to-digest formulas, and more. You can also get formula in powder or ready-to-use formats, depending on your needs.

Taking a Combination Approach

Many families choose to integrate different feeding options to suit their needs. Some parents choose to integrate bottles right away so both parents can take part in feeding; others worry about nipple confusion and wait until breastfeeding is firmly established.

Many moms and dads also take a combination approach and supplement breastfeeding with formula to ease the pressure on the nursing parent and to allow for more flexibility. None of these decisions are wrong; it really comes down to personal choice and what seems to work best for you and your baby.

Feeding Your Baby During the First Year

Your baby’s nutritional needs will change as they grow, so their routine will change dramatically in that first year.

Zero to Three Months: Frequent Feeding

Newborns have tiny stomachs, which means they need to eat often. Like, really often. You can expect to feed a new baby every 2 to 3 hours (which comes out to 8 to 12 feeds a day). Keep in mind that breastfed infants digest milk more quickly than formula-fed babes, so they may need to eat more frequently. Signs that your newborn is hungry include rooting (turning their head toward your chest when you’re holding them), sucking on their hands or getting fussy. Crying is often a later sign of hunger, so try to address the need before they get to that point.

Four to Six Months: Longer Stretches

Around four months, your little one will start to space out feedings further, to around every 3 to 4 hours. (You usually get longer naps and maybe even sleeping through the night without a feed at this point!) Around the six-month mark, they may also start to show signs of readiness for solids—showing an interest in food, opening their mouth when a bottle is offered, better head and neck control and the beginnings of a chewing reflex.

Six to 12 Months: Solids and Bottles

Health Canada recommends that most babies start solids between six and nine months (if you’re at all confused about timing or readiness, speak to your child’s primary care provider). First foods usually include iron-fortified cereal, purees and other soft foods, though some parents way a little later in order to start with baby-led weaning (when babies are given very small pieces of regular food in order to learn to feed themselves). Breastmilk or formula should still be a baby’s primary source of nutrition at this age, with feedings every 4 to 5 hours.

Storing Breastmilk

If you’re pumping milk for later use, proper storage is paramount for safety. Here’s what
you need to know:

• Freshly pumped milk can sit at room temperature for up to four hours.
• Breastmilk can be stored in the fridge for around four days. Be sure to place it at the back (rather than in the door or close to the front) as this is where the temperature is the most stable.
• Milk can last up to six months in a standard freezer, and up to 12 months in a deep freeze.
• Store milk in sterilized containers or bags, labelled with the date.
• Store in quantities of about 2 to 4 ounces, to avoid waste.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge, or, in a pinch, in a glass of warm water. Never microwave breastmilk, as it can create hot spots that may burn your little one.
• Never refreeze thawed breastmilk.

Dos and Don’ts for Formula

Formula also comes with its own list of best practices. Here are the details:

• Follow the preparation instructions closely. Too much water can dilute nutrients, and too little water can strain your baby’s kidneys.
• Use filtered or boiled water for preparation. Let boiled water cool before mixing.
• Once a bottle is prepared, use within 1 to 2 hours.
• Throw out any formula your baby doesn’t finish, to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Don’t warm bottles in the microwave. Just as with breastmilk, this practice can create hot spots that may be harmful.
• Wash all feeding equipment with hot, soapy water after each use.

Remember, overall, feeding your baby involves many intensely personal decisions and none of them are right or wrong. Every baby, and every family, is different, and you only need to worry about what is best for you. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.