Caregivers must feed an infant whenever the infant is hungry. Which option best reflects feeding infants?

• A. Infants must be fed whenever hungry.
• B. Infants may be fed on a fixed schedule every 3 hours.
• C. Infants can be left hungry between feedings if other children need attention.
• D. Infants must be fed only during designated meal times.

Answer: (A)

Feeding on demand—responding to an infant’s hunger cues by feeding whenever they show signs of hunger—is the best approach. Infants have tiny stomachs and grow quickly, so prompt feeding supports steady weight gain, proper hydration, and a secure caregiver–baby bond. A fixed schedule can leave the baby hungry or overfed at times, especially during growth spurts, and may ignore the infant’s immediate needs. Leaving an infant hungry between feedings or feeding only at designated meal times also fails to meet the baby’s current needs. So, the recommended practice is to feed whenever the infant is hungry.