by When a new baby arrives, many parents are confused about the proper way to feed and care for their infant. There are so many conflicting opinions about this topic, and it can be difficult to make sense of all the information out there. To clear up the confusion and give parents some much-needed guidance, here’s our guide to baby feeding schedules and food charts during the first year of life. Our unique chart breaks down the approximate ages at which babies typically start eating certain foods, as well as what they eat at each meal during the day.
How often and at What Times Should I Feed Baby Solids?
Babies usually start eating solids at around 6 months, but every baby is different. Some are ready as early as 4 months, while others wait until they’re closer to 9 months old. There isn’t really a right time for your baby to start solid foods, so just do what feels right for you. Also keep in mind that babies have varying appetites; some love eating while others are more fickle.
This can change day-to-day or even meal-to-meal, so if you go by what seems like a reasonable amount of food at one sitting versus another, you may find that your baby is still hungry again very soon after eating—and will let you know about it!
How Much Should I Feed My Baby ? Baby Feeding Chart:
Your baby’s feeding needs will vary from day to day. Some days he may eat more, some days less. In general, you should feed your baby based on when he seems hungry (look for his hungry cues) and not by a schedule. However, a good starting point is about 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight at each feeding. So if your child weighs 10 pounds, you could start by offering 5 ounces at one feeding (10 x .5 = 5). At that time, let him eat until he is full. If he eats less than 5 ounces, don’t worry.
If he eats more than 5 ounces, try again at his next feeding. Over time you will get a better sense of how much your baby needs at each meal. You can also talk with your pediatrician or lactation consultant for advice on how much to offer during each feeding.
How do I Determine the Stylish Baby Food Portion Sizes?
It can be tricky to figure out how much food a baby should eat at each meal. Though your pediatrician can give you recommendations for baby food portions, in general, these are a good place to start: 4-6 month old babies should eat 2-3 Tbsp of pureed food; up to 8 months, 3-4 Tbsp; from 8-12 months, babies should eat 2 solid chunks or 2 heaping tbsp; and from 12 months on, 3 solids pieces or 2 heaping tbsp are recommended. For breastfed babies that are bottle fed infant formula , you may have more leeway.
Time to Start Solid Foods
It depends on your baby’s age. On average, start with 1⁄4 to 1⁄2-ounce serving every 11⁄2–2 hours as needed. The portion sizes in our Baby Feeding Schedule and Food Chart for the First Year are designed for a baby of 7–8 pounds (3–4 kg) who’s about 4 months old.
For bigger babies, increase portion sizes by 20% or more; for smaller babies, reduce them by 20% or more. If you’re formula feeding your baby, you’ll want to adjust amounts according to directions on your specific formula label. Expect slight differences in recommended portion sizes among brands.
How Much Should My Baby Eat
Parents want to do everything they can for their babies, but breast-feeding moms may be stumped by one question when it comes time to feed their newborns: how much should my baby eat? This is a tricky question for several reasons.
How many calories does an infant need? How much formula does my baby need? Is it OK if my baby goes longer than three hours between feedings? These are all questions that you can answer with an honest assessment of your child’s weight gain. Consult your doctor if you’re worried about your child’s weight gain or losing weight. Remember that every child is different, so even though your friend’s baby might only eat four ounces at a feeding, your own newborn might need five or six ounces at each meal.
Sample Baby Feeding Schedules
This is a guide for baby feeding schedules during those first few months of life. Your baby will likely start eating according to your schedule after just a couple of weeks, but be prepared for some trial and error if you are breast-feeding.
For example, you might have an easy time with sleeping at night once you establish a routine of going to bed at 10 p.m., waking up at 6 a.m., feeding at 7 a.m., taking a morning nap from 8 to 9 a.m., etc. However, if your baby won’t settle into that exact pattern but does okay with something closer to 11 p.m., 7 a.m., 11:30 or so, that’s fine too! Every baby is different and each has his own preferences when it comes to food, sleep, playtime and how he likes to move around in his environment.
The important thing is not necessarily sticking exactly to a specific schedule but establishing one that works well for both you and your baby. If there are days when he eats more than usual or sleeps less than usual (or vice versa), don’t worry about it—just try again tomorrow. Babies often go through growth spurts where they eat more frequently or sleep less often than normal; these typically last only a day or two before returning back to normal patterns again.
How Often Should I Breastfeed My Child
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that you breastfeed your baby during each feeding. With a schedule like that, it’s essential that you have healthy meals prepared in advance. The number of times you should breastfeed your child will vary based on age, but here’s a general breakdown from Dr. Jack Newman, MD FRCP(C) At birth, babies need 8-12 feedings per day – sometimes more if they are premature or ill. As they get older (up to one year), they gradually need fewer feedings at night as well.
Is my Baby Drinking Enough Milk?
Typically, a baby will consume around 2 ounces of breast milk or formula at each feeding in her first few weeks. This amount is relatively consistent during both day and night feedings, so you don’t need to worry about changing what you’re feeding your baby at night if she isn’t consuming any more than she does during daytime feedings.
What Should I Feed Babies Between 4–6 Months Old?
There are a lot of opinions out there about what babies should eat during these months. Most of those opinions are fine, but they’re all individualized — what works for one baby might not work for another. It’s important to remember that babies develop at different rates, too, so if your friend’s baby seems like it is eating more or less than yours, it could be because her child is just more (or less) hungry.
If you’re worried about your child’s nutrition or growth rate, talk with your pediatrician! In any case, here’s a general look at what babies between 4–6 months old should be eating
Sample Schedule for 10- to 12-Month-Olds
10 months (11 months, 12 months) Baby-led weaning at 10–12 months means your baby is able to feed himself a wide variety of foods in addition to formula or breast milk. His eating habits will vary depending on your style of feeding and his preferences.
Look for these cues as you watch him play with different types of food. If he seems ready, start with first finger foods; otherwise, wait a few more weeks until he shows signs that he’s interested in eating on his own. Watch how fast (or slowly) he eats; most babies like to savor new tastes but won’t spend too much time on anything they don’t care for.
Conclusion
This guide will give you a great place to start when it comes to feeding your baby. If you have any further questions or concerns, talk with your pediatrician. Your baby’s health is your top priority and you should feel comfortable asking for advice or clarification on anything that may seem unclear or questionable.
You can also refer back to our guide if you need any reminders or updates on something; who knows? By keeping these charts handy, you may even find them useful long after your child has outgrown his first year of infancy!
