Mothers in communities not supported by lactation consultants can be referred to the local public health office or the La Leche League for support. During the first four to six months, infants can grow adequately on exclusive breast milk, formula or a combination of both. This is the critical period during which mothers learn to read the cues of their babies to know when they are hungry, tired, or simply interested in being sociable. This is an obvious task for the breastfed infant because the amount they consume cannot be measured. However, those who bottle feed may be tempted to encourage the baby to consume more than he or she needs.
Parents can use some simple guidelines to know whether the baby is getting adequate food and fluid.
Fluid is adequate if there are 6-8 wet diapers per day. If the baby is ill with diarrhea or fever, more fluid will be needed in the form of water or in more extreme cases, electrolyte maintenance solutions. Extremely warm weather may also warrant the feeding of water, however excessive water feeding should be avoided. With formula-fed babies, extra care must be taken to ensure that the formula is properly prepared by following manufacturer's instructions. Food is adequate if the baby is satisfied at the end of the feeding and shows growth at each check-up.