Tips on feeding your baby and starting solids. From his first taste of rice cereal to his favorite healthy snack.

You may have decided to breastfeed your baby, or you may have chosen to give her infant formula. Either way, if you're like most new mothers, you probably have some questions. For example, you may want to know how much you should feed your baby. How often you should feed her. And how to tell for sure if she's getting all the nutrition she needs.

That's where this feeding guide comes in. Here you'll find answers to many of your feeding questions. Be sure to talk with your doctor, too. He or she is certain to have advice on how to feed a happy and healthy child.

How often to feed your baby

During your baby's first few weeks, she will need to be fed often. After all, her tiny tummy will hold only about one to three ounces at a time. During these early weeks, make certain that she doesn't sleep through a feeding. Her growing body needs the nutrition.

Your little one may start out eating eight to 12 times a day, once every two to three hours. Typically, breastfed babies eat more frequently than formula-fed babies do. Either way, it may seem to you that one feeding blurs into the next. But don't worry. As your baby grows, she will drink more at each feeding and need fewer feedings per day.

After the first few weeks, you can let your baby set the pace. Feeding on demand will allow her to eat in the healthiest way possible. And it won't be long before the two of you settle into a cozy, comfortable routine.

How to know when your baby is hungry

There are a number of things your little one might do to let you know she's hungry. She'll probably wake up and look alert. She might move her hands or fists toward her mouth, make sucking motions or nuzzle against your breast. She may whimper or become even more active, flexing her little arms and legs. Watch for her cues. They're all ways to let you know she's ready to eat.

How to know that your baby is full when formula-feeding

If you're feeding your baby formula, you can actually see how much she eats. Each time you feed her, offer her the bottle until she lets you know she's had enough. You can give her a second bottle if she still seems hungry. Sometimes she'll eat a lot. Sometimes she'll eat only a little. But there's no need to worry. Her tummy will tell her when she's had the right amount of food.

And how will she communicate to you that she is full? If she closes her mouth, stops sucking or turns away, chances are she has had enough. If you think she has just stopped for a break, offer the nipple again but don't try to force her to empty a bottle if she's not interested. Your baby knows how much to eat and when to eat. If you feed her promptly when she gives you the "I'm hungry" signal, you'll know she's getting what she needs.

Of course, at some point, your little one may suddenly seem hungrier than usual. This probably means she's having a growth spurt. If she's hungry, let her eat as much as she wants. Just remember not to prop the bottle. You should always hold your baby during her feedings.

How to know that your baby is full when breastfeeding

If you're breastfeeding, you can't see the amount your baby takes in. So it becomes a question of how long you spend nursing. If she's hungry and sucking hard, your little one can get most of the milk from your breast in four to five minutes. After ten minutes, there will be just a trickle left. So if you allow her to spend 15 minutes on each breast, you can be sure that she will have more than enough time to get what she needs. Of course, if you both enjoy nursing for longer, that's perfectly fine.

Burping your baby

Even the tiniest bit of swallowed air can make your baby very uncomfortable. But a good burp will probably make her feel much better. There are three ways you can burp your baby. First, hold her upright against your shoulder and pat her back gently. Second, hold her upright on your lap. Support her head and chest with your hands. Then either rock her gently back and forth or pat her back. Finally, place her across your lap, with her stomach against your legs. Then rub her back gently. Be sure to have a clean cloth diaper or towel handy in case the burp brings up some of your breast milk or formula.

Making sure your baby is eating enough

The best way to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat is by keeping track of how much she grows. Your baby's doctor will check her weight and height each time he sees her. He or she will want to make sure that both numbers are increasing.

Another way to tell if your baby is eating enough is by checking her diaper. Six or more wet diapers a day and at least two stools a day are signs that she's eating well.

Making the transition back to work

If you're breastfeeding and planning to go back to work full time, allow yourself and your baby some time to prepare for the transition. It may be that she'll need to learn how to drink from a bottle, whether it's filled with expressed breast milk or formula.

When moving to a bottle, select one with a nipple that is close in shape to your own. Then let someone else feed your baby the first few bottles. It might confuse her if you give her a bottle in the beginning. But don't worry. You'll be able to feed her from a bottle in a little while.

Allow your baby to get used to drinking from a bottle that's filled with breast milk. If you are going to move her to formula, make that a second slow transition.

Breastfeed for at least four weeks before you start expressing your milk. That will allow time for your body to build up a healthy supply. Then develop a feeding schedule for when you go back to work. One that suits both you and your baby.