Did you know that your baby grows more in their first year than at any other time in their life?
In the first few months, your baby’s primary source of nutrition will be breast milk or formula. Remember to consult your pediatrician before introducing solid foods (usually around the 6-month mark).
Every baby is different, but feeding your baby the right food at the right time is important and will set them on a path to lifelong healthy eating habits. That’s why we’ve put together this feeding guide to help you navigate your baby’s first year.
1-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 1-month-old eat?
Every 90 minutes to 3 hours.
- How much should a 1-month-old eat?
Around 4 ounces per feeding (3 to 4 ounces of breast milk or 1 to 2 ounces of formula).
- How much weight should a 1-month-old gain?
1 ounce per day.
- How much should a 1-month-old weigh?
On average, 9.9 pounds for boys and 9.2 pounds for girls.
Read our 1-month-old baby sleep guide here.
2-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 2-month-old eat?
Every 2 to 4 hours.
- How much should a 2-month-old eat?
4 to 5 ounces of breast milk or 2 to 3 ounces of formula per feeding.
- How much weight should a 2-month-old gain?
½ to 1 ounce per day.
- How much should a 2-month-old weigh?
On average, 12 pounds and 4 ounces for boys and 11 pounds and 5 ounces for girls.
Read our 2-month-old baby sleep guide here.
3-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 3-month-old eat?
Every 3 to 4 hours.
- How much should a 3-month-old eat?
4 to 5 ounces of breast milk or 2 to 3 ounces of formula per feeding.
- How much weight should a 3-month-old gain?
½ to 1 ounce per day.
- How much should a 3-month-old weigh?
On average, 14 pounds 1 ounce for boys and 12 pounds 14 ounces for girls.
Read our 3-month-old baby sleep guide here.
4-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 4-month-old eat?
Every 2 to 3 hours.
- How much should a 4-month-old eat?
Around 4 to 6 ounces of breast milk or formula per feeding.
- How much weight should a 4-month-old gain?
Roughly 0.75 ounces per day.
- How much should a 4-month-old weigh?
By now, your baby should have doubled their birth weight. If they haven’t, it’s probably nothing to worry about, but discuss any concerns with your pediatrician.
Read our 4-month-old baby sleep guide here.
5-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 5-month-old eat?
Every 3 to 4 hours.
- How much should a 5-month-old eat?
Around 5 to 7 ounces of breast milk or formula per feeding.
- How much weight should a 5-month-old gain?
Roughly 0.75 ounces per day.
- How much should a 5-month-old weigh?
By 5 months, your baby will likely add another 1.25 pounds.
The average weight for a 5-month-old boy is 16 pounds 6 ounces and for a girl, it is 15 pounds 2 ounces.
Read our 5-month-old baby sleep guide here.
6-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 6-month-old eat?
Every 4 to 5 hours, but some babies can now sleep longer stretches without an overnight feeding.
- How much should a 6-month-old eat?
At 6 months old, breast milk and formula will still be your baby’s primary form of nutrition, but your baby may be ready to try solid foods — yay! (Remember to talk with your pediatrician before getting started.)
Your baby will still need around 6 to 8 ounces of breast milk or formula per feeding.
- How much weight should a 6-month-old gain?
In month 6, your little one will most likely put on 1 to 1 ¼ pounds.
- How much should a 6-month-old weigh?
On average, 17 pounds 8 ounces for boys and 16 pounds 1 ounce for girls.
Read our 6-month-old baby sleep guide here.
Foods for a 6-month-old
At this stage, your baby is only just learning to chew. So, their food needs to be soft and easy to swallow. Good foods to start with include mashed fruit and veg or cooked oatmeal.
7-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 7-month-old eat?
Every 3 to 4 hours, 3 to 5 times per day.
- How much should a 7-month-old eat?
Around 30 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day. Along with this, your baby can have 1 to 2 tablespoons of food at mealtime.
- How much weight should a 7-month-old gain?
In this month, your baby will continue to gain 1 to 1 ¼ pounds.
- How much should a 7-month-old weigh?
On average, 18 pounds 5 ounces for boys and 16 pounds 14 ounces for girls.
Read our 7-month-old baby sleep guide here.
Foods for a 7-month-old
At 7 months old, your baby is ready to try finger foods like steamed veggies, soft cooked pasta, and soft, ripe fruits.
8-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should an 8-month-old eat?
3 to 5 feedings per day plus solid foods.
- How much should an 8-month-old eat?
30 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day and 2 to 4 tablespoons of food at meal and snack times.
- How much weight should an 8-month-old gain?
Approximately 1 pound this month.
- How much should an 8-month-old weigh?
On average, 18 pounds 5 ounces for boys and 17 pounds 8 ounces for girls.
Read our 8-month-old baby sleep guide here.
Is my baby eating enough?
The AAP cites the following as signs that your baby is eating enough:
- They sleep well and are alert when awake.
- They are gaining weight steadily.
- They produce 6 to 8 wet diapers daily and poop regularly.
9-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 9-month-old eat?
Every 3 to 4 hours.
- How much should a 9-month-old eat?
On average, your baby should be eating 30 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per day along with solid foods.
- How much weight should a 9-month-old gain?
Approximately 1 pound.
- How much should a 9-month-old weigh?
On average, 19 pounds 10 ounces for boys and 18 pounds 2 ounces for girls.
Read our 9-month-old baby sleep guide here.
Foods for a 9-month-old
At 9 months old, your baby can eat mashed potatoes, bread, and cooked pasta along with finely chopped meat and scrambled eggs.
10-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 10-month-old eat?
3 to 4 times a day.
- How much should a 10-month-old eat?
24 to 30 ounces of breast milk or formula per day along with solid foods.
- How much weight should a 10-month-old gain?
Roughly 0.75 pounds to 1.25 pounds this month.
- How much should a 10-month-old weigh?
On average, 20 pounds 3 ounces for boys and 18 pounds 11 ounces for girls.
Read our 10-month-old baby sleep guide here.
11-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should an 11-month-old eat?
Every 2 to 3 hours, or 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.
- How much should an 11-month-old eat
24 to 30 ounces of breast milk or formula per day along with solid foods.
- How much weight should an 11-month-old gain?
Roughly 0.75 pounds to 1.25 pounds this month.
- How much should an 11-month-old weigh?
On average, 20 pounds 12 ounces for boys and 19 pounds 4 ounces for girls.
Read our 11-month-old baby sleep guide here.
12-month-old feeding schedule
- How often should a 1-year-old eat?
3 to 4 meals per day plus 2 snacks.
- How much should a 1-year-old eat?
The AAP explains that toddlers need about 1,000 calories per day, with half of those calories coming from fat. Feed baby approximately ¾ to 1 cup of food per meal.
- How much weight should a 1-year-old gain?
Roughly 0.75 pounds to 1.25 pounds this month.
- How much should a 1-year-old weigh?
On average, 21 pounds 4 ounces for boys and 19 pounds 12 ounces for girls.
Read our 12-month-old baby sleep guide here.
Foods for 10 to 12-month-olds
As they approach toddlerhood, your baby is ready to eat on their own and can use a spoon and cup. They can now eat:
- Finely chopped meats
- Boneless fish
- Mild cheeses
- Plain yogurt
- Ice cream
- Pudding
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Sources:
- Infant and toddler growth and health. 2023. Mayo Clinic. Infant and toddler health.
- Average baby weight. 2021. Medical News Today. What is the average baby weight by month?
- 1-month-old baby weight and more. 2019. Healthline. All About Your 1-Month-Old Baby
- Baby feeding chart. 2022. Nestbean. Baby feeding chart – How many ounces of breastmilk should a baby eat?
- Average weight gain for babies. Baby Care Advice. Average weight gain for babies.
- 5-month-old feeding. 2022. The bump. 5-month-old baby.
- Feeding guide for the first year. Stanford Medicine. Feeding gude for the first year.
- Month 7 baby growth. 2019. Kids Health. Your baby’s growth: 7 months.
- 8-month-old baby care and feeding. 2021. Flo. 8-month-old feeding schedule for a happy baby.
- 7 to 9 month old baby growth. Stanford Medicine. The growing child: 7 to 9 months.
- Food for a 9 month old. 2021. Healthline. Feeding Your 9-Month-Old: Food Ideas and a Sample Meal Plan.
- Feeding your baby. Unicef. Feeding your baby: 1–2 years.
