What and how to feed your child changes month by month. Choose an age band for India-specific feeding guidance, based on IYCF, IAP and ICMR recommendations.
Choose your child's age
Exclusive Breastfeeding
Feed only breast milk — no water, honey, animal milk, or formula — to support optimal growth and immunity. Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
Breastfeeding & milk
Exclusive breastfeeding on demand, day and night (typically 8–12 feeds/24 hours), including colostrum. No other food or liquid (not even water) is needed up to 6 months. Formula only if medically indicated or breastfeeding is not possible, prepared with safe water per label; never dilute or over-concentrate.
How often
On-demand breastfeeding, about 8–12 feeds in 24 hours (whenever the baby shows hunger cues).
How much
Not measured; feed until the baby is satisfied and releases the breast. Adequacy judged by 6+ wet nappies/day and steady weight gain.
Key nutrients
Breast milk provides complete nutrition at this age
Vitamin D (supplement advised — breast milk is low in vitamin D)
Iron (adequate from birth stores up to ~6 months in term babies)
Best avoided
✕Water, honey, glucose water, gripe water
✕Cow/buffalo/goat milk
✕Formula unless medically indicated
✕Any solid or semi-solid food
✕Bottle-feeding where avoidable (prefer cup/paladai); pre-lacteal feeds (ghutti, jaggery water)
Practical tips
✓Initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth and give colostrum
✓Practise skin-to-skin contact
✓Ensure correct latch and positioning; empty one breast before switching
✓Feed on cue rather than by clock
✓Mother should eat and hydrate well
See a doctor if
•Poor or no weight gain / weight loss after first 2 weeks
India delivers child micronutrient supplementation mainly through the National Iron Plus Initiative / Anemia Mukt Bharat (iron-folic acid), the National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme, and IAP guidance on vitamin D. Doses below are prophylactic and should be confirmed with a pediatrician.
Iron & Folic Acid (IFA)
Programme: Anemia Mukt Bharat / National Iron Plus Initiative
6–59 months: IFA syrup 1 mL (= 20 mg elemental iron + 100 mcg folic acid) twice a week. 5–9 years: 45 mg iron + 400 mcg folic acid 'pink' tablet once weekly. 10–19 years: 60 mg iron + 500 mcg folic acid 'blue' tablet once weekly (WIFS). Exclusively breastfed term babies under 6 months do not need routine iron; preterm/LBW babies do, per pediatric advice.
Vitamin D
Programme: IAP guidelines
400 IU/day for all infants up to 1 year (breast milk is low in vitamin D). 600 IU/day for children over 1 year and adolescents. Deficiency treatment uses higher doses only under medical supervision.
Vitamin A
Programme: National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme
9 mega-doses from 9 months to 5 years: 1,00,000 IU at 9 months (with measles vaccine); 2,00,000 IU at 16–18 months; then 2,00,000 IU every 6 months up to age 5.
Deworming
Programme: National Deworming Day
Albendazole 400 mg twice a year for children 2–19 years (200 mg for ages 1–2), alongside IFA, to improve iron status. Given as supervised mass-deworming.
Encourage iron- and vitamin-rich foods (ragi, leafy greens, legumes, jaggery, eggs, fruits) as the first-line strategy; supplements complement, not replace, a good diet. Always confirm doses and indications with a qualified pediatrician.
