Baby feeding schedule by age
| Age | Ounces per feeding | Solid foods |
| Up to 2 weeks of life | .5 oz. in the first days, then 1–3 oz. | No |
| 2 weeks to 2 months | 2–4 oz. | No |
| 2–4 months | 4-6 oz. | No |
| 4–6 months | 4–8 oz. | Possibly, if your baby can hold their he ... |
Full Answer
What foods should I first Feed my Baby?
- Start with small amounts of new solid foods — a teaspoon at first and slowly increase to a tablespoon. ...
- If you’re making your own baby food, it is recommended to use pureed peas, pureed corn and sweet potatoes. ...
- Meats and vegetables contain more nutrients per serving than fruits or cereals.
How much baby food should I Feed my Baby?
Then:
- Start simple. Offer single-ingredient foods that contain no sugar or salt. ...
- Important nutrients. Iron and zinc are important nutrients in the second half of your baby's first year. ...
- Baby cereal basics. ...
- Add vegetables and fruits. ...
- Offer finely chopped finger foods. ...
How often and how much should your baby eat?
Most newborns eat each 2 to three hours, or 8 to 12 occasions each 24 hours. Infants may solely absorb half ounce per feeding for the primary day or two of life, however after that can often drink 1 to 2 ounces at every feeding. This quantity will increase to 2 to three ounces by 2 weeks of age.
How often you should feed a baby?
The goal, by age 1, is to get them to eat about six times a day:
- breakfast
- midmorning snack
- lunch
- midafternoon snack
- dinner
- pre-bedtime snack
What baby should eat chart?
Baby Feeding Chart at a GlanceAGEWHAT2-4 monthsBreast milk Formula4-6 monthsBreast milk Formula Infant cereal6-9 monthsBreast milk Formula Infant cereal Fruits or vegetables Meats or beans9-12 monthsBreast milk Formula Infant cereal Fruits or vegetables Meats or beans Dairy such as cheese or yogurt2 more rows•May 19, 2020
What do babies eat at each stage?
Here are the baby food stages and ages:Stage 1: Single-ingredient purees with a thin consistency (4–6 months)Stage 2: Multiple-ingredient purees with a thicker consistency (6–8 months)Stage 3: Blended foods with chunks or soft finger foods (9–12 months)
What month can I introduce food for my baby?
about 6 months oldThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children be introduced to foods other than breast milk or infant formula when they are about 6 months old. Introducing foods before 4 months old is not recommended.
What food should I start with my baby?
Most babies' first food is iron-fortified infant single-grain cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Place the spoon near your baby's lips, and let the baby smell and taste it. Don't be surprised if this first spoonful is rejected. Wait a minute and try again.
Is it better to start solids at 4 months or 6 months?
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend solid foods be introduced at approximately six months of age (11–13) whereas, the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) ...
Can I give my 4 month old baby food?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months after birth. But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding.
Can I give my 4 month old banana baby food?
As banana doesn't need cooking, you can carry it while travelling and whenever the baby is hungry, just peel mash and feed the baby right away. Bananas are an excellent source of nutrition and make great first foods to babies. Banana puree can be introduced as solid food anywhere between the age of 4-6 months.
Can I give my 3 month old baby cereal?
Although many grandmothers and neighbors may swear that a little cereal in their newborn's bottle helped him sleep better, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend introducing cereal and other solid foods until four to six months of age. Before that age, young infants need only breast milk or formula.
Can I let my baby taste food at 3 months?
On the "flavor window" that occurs between 4 and 7 months It's not that a child necessarily needs any nutrition besides milk before 6 months, it's that you're missing an opportunity to introduce them to all of these flavors which they would likely accept at this age.
What foods can I introduce to my 4 month old?
4 to 6 months oldPea purée. Share on Pinterest. ... Banana purée. Often called a “perfect” food, bananas are rich in potassium and fiber. ... Baby brown rice cereal. Rice cereal is one of the most common foods to introduce because it's less allergenic and easily digested. ... Avocado purée. ... Baked sweet potato purée. ... First carrots purée.
What vegetables should baby eat first?
1. Carrot Puree. With a sweet taste and smooth consistency, pureed carrots are typically one of the most well-accepted first baby foods from 4–6 months of age. High in beta-carotene (which turns into vitamin A in the body), carrots help keep little eyes healthy.
When can babies drink water?
6 months oldIf your baby is under 6 months old, they only need to drink breastmilk or infant formula. From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breastmilk or formula feeds.
What is the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby food?
Texture: Stage 1 baby foods are very smoothly pureed and are soupy enough to drip off of a spoon, while Stage 2 foods may be roughly pureed, blended or strained. They maintain a thicker, denser consistency and may include small chunks for your baby to gum around in their mouth.
What is Stage 2 in baby food?
Defining the stages across the brands Stage 1: 4 to 6 months (watery puree of a single ingredient) Stage 2: 6 to 9 months (thicker texture that is strained or mashed) Stage 3: 10 to 12 months (mush that has soft, chewable, small chunks)
Is there a Stage 3 baby food?
“Stage 3 baby foods are thick blended foods with chewable chunks, such as the kind you find at the grocery store, or small cut-up pieces of easily chewed table foods, which are usually referred to as 'finger foods',” says Dr. Kristen Treegoob, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Can I give my 4 month old Stage 2 baby food?
According to Laracuente, babies are usually ready for Stage 2 between 6 and 8 months old — but make sure your little one has honed his Stage 1 skills before making the leap. “Once your baby has done well with Stage 1 solids and has tried multiple foods, it is safe to advance to Stage 2 baby food,” says Dr.
What to do if your baby refuses to eat?
Eating a variety of foods every day gives your baby the best chance of getting all the nutrients he needs. If your baby refuses a new food or spits it out, don’t force it. Try again a few days later. You can also try mixing it with another food that your baby likes or squeezing a little breastmilk on top.
What should a 6 month old baby eat?
At 6 months of age, breastmilk continues to be ...
How much food should a 9-month-old eat?
From 9–11 months old, your baby can take half a cup of food three to four times a day, plus a healthy snack. Now you can start to chop up soft food into small pieces instead of mashing it. Your baby may even start to eat food herself with her fingers. Continue to breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry.
How old is a baby when it needs more energy?
Young children need enough nutritious food every day to grow healthy, strong and smart. At around 6 months old, your baby is growing quickly and needs more energy and nutrients than at any other time in her life.
How to make baby food more nutritious?
To make it more nutritious, cook it until it’s thick enough not to run off the spoon. Feed your baby when you see her give signs that she's hungry – such as putting her hands to her mouth. After washing hands, start by giving your baby just two to three spoonfuls of soft food, twice a day.
What happens if you don't breastfeed?
If you're not breastfeeding your baby, she’ll need to eat more often. She'll also need to rely on other foods, including milk products, to get all the nutrition her body needs.
How to keep a baby from getting sick from eating solid food?
As she crawls about and explores, germs can spread from her hands to her mouth. Protect your baby from getting sick by washing your and her hands with soap before preparing food and before every feeding.
How much solid food should a baby eat?
At this point, solid food becomes the primary source of nutrition. Baby should be eating three meals of solid foods each day, along with 2 snacks situated exactly half-way between meals. After baby’s first birthday, start to limit consumption of milk (breast milk, formula, or cow milk) to 16 ounces per 24hrs so that it does not displace solid food. If baby needs a bit more time to reach this stage, that’s fine, but be sure to discuss your feeding schedule with baby’s pediatrician or health care professional. Aim to drop all bottles no later than 15 months of age. If you’d like to continue breastfeed, by all means do so if baby is eating solids well. We suggest starting and ending your day with a breastfeed and serving breast milk, cow milk, or a milk alternative in an open or straw cup at meals. For more on milk, see our Milk FAQs. Note: Many toddlers drop a nap in this age range. Trust your gut and your baby and adapt the schedule as necessary.
How much milk should a 18-month-old eat?
Limit consumption of milk (breast milk, toddler formula, cow milk) to no more than 16 ounces per day so that it does not displace solid food. If you are still bottle feeding at this age or if baby doesn’t want to eat solids and only wants to breastfeed, consult your pediatrician or health care professional immediately. If you’d like to continue breastfeed, by all means do so if baby is eating solids well. We suggest starting and ending your day with a breastfeed and serving breast milk, cow milk, or a milk alternative in an open or straw cup at meals. For more on milk, see our Milk FAQs.
How many solids should a baby drink a day?
If baby is still eating just one solids meal per day it’s a good time to increase that to two solid meals per day. At this age baby may still want to breast- or bottle-feed before bed as well.
How much water should a baby drink?
You may also offer small amounts of water in an open cup (our strong opinion is that it’s best to limit water at this young age to less than 2oz at each meal, with no more than 4 ounces per day unless otherwise advised by your pediatrician). For more on teaching baby to drink from a cup, see our Cup Drinking page.
How many meals should a baby eat a day?
Solids: 1 to 2 meals. When you are just starting solids, breast milk or formula should still be baby’s primary source of nutrition with one to two meals of solid food each day. Eating solid food at this stage will mostly be for practice, so don’t worry about consumption. If baby seems overly hungry or fussy when you sit them in ...
Can you breastfeed if your baby is eating solids?
If you’d like to continue breastfeed, by all means do so if baby is eating solids well. We suggest starting and ending your day with a breastfeed and serving breast milk, cow milk, or a milk alternative in an open or straw cup at meals. For more on milk, see our Milk FAQs.
When to drop baby formula?
If baby doesn’t seem hungry enough for solids, is approaching 12 months of age, and is otherwise gaining weight and in good health, consider reducing the amount of time on the breast or the amount of formula in each bottle. Many parents choose to reduce (or drop) the first bottle of the day as baby gets the hang of solids.
What is stage 1 food?
These are referred to as stage 1 or 2 foods in the baby section of the grocery store. Was h all fresh vegetables; then bake, boil, or steam until soft. You can puree in either a blender or a food processor, or use a small hand food mill; add a little liquid like breast milk, baby formula, or water at first. You can use less water for ...
How long can you breastfeed a baby?
But remember, you can exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months. There is no evidence that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods, including peanuts, eggs, and fish, beyond 4 to 6 months prevents atopic disease. There is now evidence that early introduction of peanuts may prevent peanut allergy.
What can I use to make my baby's puree thicker?
You can use less water for a thicker puree as your baby gets used to the new foods. Protein: pea-sized pieces of cooked chicken, turkey, or other meats, or boneless fish; beans such as lentils, black, red, or pinto beans.
How to make a baby swallow without choking?
Cut meat or fish into very small pieces; cook and mash or cut up beans. No need to puree; just cook foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes until soft, or mash up soft foods like bananas and avocados. Cut up to make sure the pieces are small enough for your baby to swallow without cho king.
How long after introducing a new food to a baby should I wait?
Chop these into very small pieces. Waiting a few days after introducing a new food to your baby is a good way to monitor for allergic reactions.
How long should I avoid honey and milk?
Avoid whole cow’s milk and honey until at least one year. Honey can cause a dangerous illness called infant botulism. As your baby gets more teeth and learns to chew more effectively, they will begin to be able to eat larger pieces of food.
What to feed a 6-month-old?
4-6 months. Single-grain cereals. (Fortified cereals give your baby iron, an important nutrient they need now. A baby is born with a natural reserve of iron that begins to deplete around 6 months of age.) Mix with baby formula or breast milk, or water on occasion. 6-8 months. Pureed or strained fruits ( bananas, pears, apples, apricots, prunes)
What is it called when you feed your child a drink?
The foods and drinks you feed your child are sometimes called complementary foods. You can think of these as “complementing,” or adding to, the breast milk or infant formula that you continue to feed your child.
When can a child eat the same food as the rest of the family?
Between your child’s first and second year, he or she will develop the skills needed to participate in meals with the family, and by the time your child is 2 years old, he or she will be able to eat most of the same foods as the rest of the family. Some skills, such as finger feeding, drinking from a cup, and using a spoon are part ...
What should a baby's first day of solids be about?
Your baby’s early days with solids should be about helping her get into the flow of mealtime with the family. Ideally, she’ll eat at times when everyone else is at the table, too.
How many naps should a 7-month-old take?
Sample baby feeding schedule for 7- to 9-month-olds. This schedule assumes that your 7- to 9-month-old is taking two naps (though some 7-month-olds may still need three). 7:00 a.m.: Wake and nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula)
How much food should I feed my 8 month old?
6 to 8 months: 24 to 36 ounces of formula or breast milk (now that your baby's a more efficient nurser, you'll probably breastfeed her four to six times a day) 4 to 9 tablespoons of cereal, fruit and vegetables a day, spread out over two to three meals.
What is the best time to feed a baby?
Sample schedule for 10- to 12-month-olds 1 7:00 a.m.: Wake and nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula) 2 8:00 a.m.: Breakfast (1/4 cup cooked rolled oats, 1 to 2 teaspoons peanut butter, 2 to 3 tablespoons smushed blueberries) 3 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Nap 4 11:00 a.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula) 5 12:00 PM: Lunch (1/4 to 1/2 black bean and cheese quesadilla on whole grain tortilla sliced into small pieces, 2 to 3 tablespoons steamed carrot half-moons, 1/4 thinly sliced ripe pear) 6 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Nap 7 4:00 p.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula) 8 5:45 p.m.: Dinner (3 to 4 tablespoons flaked salmon, 3 to 4 tablespoons baked sweet potato wedges, 3 to 4 tablespoons steamed green beans with butter) 9 7:00 p.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula) 10 7:30 p.m.: Bed
What time is the nurse's nap?
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Nap. 11:30 a.m.: Nurse or bottle (6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula) 12:15 p.m.: Lunch (1/4 to 1/2 crumbled or sliced hard-boiled egg, 2 to 3 tablespoons mashed or sliced avocado, 1/4 to 1/2 whole grain pita cut into strips) 1:45 p.m. (Nurse or bottle) 6 to 8 ounces breast milk or formula.
How much milk should I give my baby at 9 months?
9 to 12 months: 16 to 30 ounces of formula or milk (or three to five nursing sessions a day) Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of grains, fruit and veggies twice a day. Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dairy foods a day. Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of protein-packed foods a day.
How many solid meals should a baby eat a day?
You can start off with just one or two solid meals per day — whichever ones are most convenient for you.
How much formula should a 9 month old have?
9-12 Months Old. At this age, babies should have about 7 to 8 ounces of liquid per feeding. They usually cap out at 32 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period. “By 9 to 12 months, about half of your baby’s calories should come from food and the other half from breast milk or formula,” Dr. Muth says.
How much breast milk should a baby drink?
Breast Milk: Most newborns eat every two to three hours, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and they drink 1-2 ounces of breast milk per feeding. By the time your baby reaches 2 weeks old, this amount will increase to 2-3 ounces.
How much solid food should a 4 month old drink?
Solid food shouldn't take the place of milk as the main source of nutrients. Indeed, babies should still drink about 4-6 ounces per feeding when they're 4 months old. Once they turn 6 months old, they may take up to 8 ounces every four or five hours, says the AAP. Baby Feeding Chart with Ounces.
How much should a baby eat when breastfeeding?
When breastfeeding, they should eat anywhere from 4 to 8 ounces at each feeding. Since Baby is still getting most of their calories from liquid, don’t stress about getting them to eat bite after bite of solid food. Feed up to two meals daily (and as little as one every couple of days), with each meal 2 to 4 tablespoons.
How much should a 2-month-old eat?
The AAP says that a 2-month-old baby will usually eat 4 to 5 ounces every three to four hours. If you’re feeding formula, look ...
What to use for kids to play with?
Babies like to play with their food, so also consider using yogurt or oatmeal as a dip for vegetables or whole-grain crackers. Just remember to chop or dice foods and to avoid those that are small, round, hard, or the size of a child's airway.
How much formula should I give my baby?
As a rule of thumb, you should aim to feed your baby 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight daily, says Amy Lynn Stockhausen, M.D., an associate professor of general pediatrics and adolescent medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
How much food should a baby eat daily?
Make sure your baby gets 2–3 servings of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains daily. These daily servings, combined with the nutrients in 24–32 ounces of formula or breast milk, will give your baby the nutrition they need to grow into a healthy and happy toddler.
How much formula should I give my 10-month-old?
1 serving of fruit or vegetables (3–4 tablespoons) 6–8 ounces of formula or breast milk. Bedtime. 6–8 ounces of formula or breast milk. This is just a sample menu for a 10-month-old. You can vary the menu depending on your own baby's needs. Make sure your baby gets 2–3 servings of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains daily.
How much milk should a 10-month-old drink?
A 10-month-old baby should be drinking at least 24–32 ounces of breast milk or formula every 24 hours. If you divide this between four nursing sessions, it is about 6–8 ounces each time. Even if your baby is eating more solid foods, keep offering them the appropriate amount of breast milk or formula.
How to help a baby with hand eye coordination?
Offer a variety of foods that your baby can easily pick up, and encourage them to self-feed. This can be quite messy, but offering finger food helps your baby develop their hand-eye coordination and establish a sense of accomplishment through independence.
How many meals should a 10 month old eat?
Your 10-month-old baby will need three meals, two healthy snacks, and breast milk or formula at least 3–4 times per day to provide the nutrition they need to grow. Here is a sample 10-month-old menu for a single day. Breakfast.
What are some good foods to eat with iron?
Iron-fortified cereals served either dry or mixed with formula or breast milk. Cooked vegetables including carrots, peas, green beans, spinach (and other leafy greens), squash, and potatoes (white and sweet) that have been mashed or cut into small pieces. Whole cooked beans.
What can a 10 month old eat?
What can babies eat at 10 months? Food for 10-month-old babies can consist of fruits, vegetables, fortified cereal, unsweetened yogurts, cheese, and meats. By 10 months old, most babies have at least four teeth at the front of their mouth. They can bite, but it is still difficult to properly chew.
How old do you have to be to drink breast milk?
Offer only breast milk or formula in bottles until 1 year of age unless specifically advised by your health care provider. Begin offering breast milk and/or formula in a cup starting at 6 months of age. Infants should drink breast milk and/or formula for the first year of life. Fruit juice is not recommended under 1 year of age.
How to introduce solid food to a baby?
Prepare to introduce solid foods in a calm feeding environment where the infant is sitting upright and is appropriately supported and moderately hungry. Start with small amounts of solid food, feeding with a spoon or allowing finger feeding, then gradually increase the amount as the infant eats more and develops.
How much juice should an infant drink?
Fruit juice is not recommended under 1 year of age. When introducing juice, offer 100% pasteurized juice and limit it to 4–6 ounces per day. Do NOT place juice in a bottle.
What is the responsibility of a caregiver when feeding a baby?
Maintain the division of responsibility when feeding. The caregiver is responsible for what to eat (offering appropriate variety and textures). The child is responsible for deciding whether to eat and how much. Avoid adding salt or sugar to make baby foods more appealing.
How to help a newborn with eating habits?
Expose infants to a wide variety of flavors and textures of healthy food. Don’t limit your baby’s food choices to the ones you like. Offering a range of foods early will pave the way for healthy eating habits. Maintain the division of responsibility when feeding.
Why do infants need to be propping their bottles?
Propping a bottle has been linked to an increased risk of ear infections and tooth decay. Formula feeding should be in response to the infant’s needs and not based on a predetermined schedule. Look for cues of hunger and fullness to determine both when to feed and how much.
When not able to breastfeed, use a breast pump?
When not able to breast-feed, use a breast pump to extract milk and maintain milk supply. Pumped breast milk should be stored safely, using appropriate temperature guidelines. Pumped breast milk may be offered to infants in bottles, while responding to the same feeding cues to determine how much they take.
