As a new parent, one of the biggest worries you’ll likely have is making sure your baby is eating enough—whether that’s breast milk, formula, or solid food as they grow. The truth is, every baby is different, and their feeding needs can change from day to day. Some days they’ll seem hungrier, and other days, they might eat less. The most important thing is to tune in to your baby’s hunger cues instead of following a strict newborn feeding schedule.
It’s easy to compare your baby’s eating with others the same age, but remember, every baby has their own rhythm based on things like weight, growth, and appetite. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of feeding babies from newborns to 12 months old. We’ll talk about how much to feed, what signs to watch for, and other things to keep in mind. To make it easier, there’s a simple feeding chart by age to give you a clear picture of what to expect at each stage.
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns typically need 1.5 to 3 ounces of milk per feeding in the early weeks. However, it’s always better to feed based on your baby’s needs rather than sticking to exact amounts or newborn feeding schedule.
Now, the big question is—how do you know how much your baby needs? The basic rule of thumb is to feed them as much as they ask for. Every baby has their own way of showing they’re hungry, and recognizing these hunger cues is key to understanding when it’s time to feed.
Here are some common hunger cues to watch for:
You might wonder why your baby’s newborn eating schedule keeps changing. Sometimes, your baby cries for food every hour, while other days, they might sleep through feeding times. Don’t worry—this is completely normal! Babies’ feeding habits can vary, especially during growth spurts when they might want to eat more frequently. Just remember to follow your baby’s cues and feed them as needed; this will help ensure they’re getting enough nourishment.
In the baby feeding chart below, you’ll find the average amount of milk babies typically need at different stages. But remember, every baby is different. Some may want more or less than the average, and that’s perfectly okay.
| Age of Baby | Breastfeeding | Formula Feeding | Solid Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn – 1 Mo | Every 2-3 hours; 10-15 min per breast | 1.5-3 oz every 2-3 hours (8-12 feedings) | None |
| 1 – 3 Mo | Every 2-3 hours | 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours | None |
| 4 – 6 Mo | Every 3-4 hours | 4-6 oz every 4-5 hours | 1-2 meals/day of purees |
| 6 – 9 Mo | Every 4-5 hours | 6-8 oz every 4-5 hours | 2-3 meals/day (purees & soft foods) |
| 9 – 12 Mo | Every 4-5 hours | 7-8 oz every 3-4 hours | 3 meals/day plus snacks |
Here’s a year-by-year infant feeding schedule to guide you through their first 12 months.
At one month, if you’re breastfeeding, your baby will probably want to eat every 2 to 3 hours, which means around 8 to 12 feedings a day. Each session may last about 10 to 15 minutes per breast. At this stage, babies feed often because they’re growing quickly and need all that extra nourishment. You might notice your baby giving hunger cues like rooting or sucking on their hands—these are good signs it’s time to feed.
For formula-fed babies, they’ll generally take about 2 to 4 ounces per feeding and eat every 3 to 4 hours. Formula can keep them full a bit longer than breast milk, so they might have slightly longer stretches between feeds. It’s also common for newborns to wake up at night for bottles, so you’ll be doing some nighttime feeds. While you follow a newborn feeding schedule, keep an eye on their weight gain and wet diapers to make sure they’re getting enough.
Signs Your Baby is Getting Enough Food
By the time your baby is 2 to 3 months old, the newborn feeding schedule might start to stretch out a bit. If you’re breastfeeding, they’ll still feed about 7 to 9 times a day, but they can go a little longer between feeds—every 3 to 4 hours.
If you’re using formula, your baby will probably drink about 4 to 5 ounces per feeding now, with feedings spaced around 4 hours apart. They might also start to sleep for longer stretches at night, which could mean fewer nighttime bottles in your baby feeding chart.
Between 4 to 6 months, things start to change a bit. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby may reduce to 5 or 6 feedings a day, with feeding sessions happening every 4 hours or so. They’ll still get the bulk of their nutrition from breast milk. But, around 6 months, many babies are ready to try solid foods like pureed fruits or veggies.
For formula-fed babies, they’ll likely drink 5 to 7 ounces per feeding, about 4 to 5 times a day. You might also start introducing solid foods around 6 months, but just a little at first, like iron-fortified cereals or mashed-up fruits. Formula will still be the main source of nutrition in the newborn feeding schedule for now. So keep offering bottles on their usual schedule, even as they start eating solids.
At 6 to 9 months, whether you’re breastfeeding or using formula, milk is still your baby’s primary food source. But solids will become more of a regular part of their day.
If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll probably be nursing 4 to 5 times a day, often after offering solids like pureed or mashed foods. For formula-fed babies, the newborn feeding schedule includes about 6 to 8 ounces per feeding, around 4 times a day.
They’ll also have solids during meals, with a wider variety of foods like soft fruits, veggies, and cereals. As they eat more solids, they’ll drink a little less formula, but they should still be getting 24 to 32 ounces a day for proper growth and development.
By 9 to 12 months, solid foods will make up a larger part of your baby’s diet, but breast milk or formula is still essential. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll likely nurse 3 to 4 times a day, usually after meals or snacks. Your baby may start to wean naturally, but breastfeeding can remain a comforting part of their routine, especially at bedtime.
For formula-fed babies, they’ll drink about 7 to 8 ounces, 3 to 4 times a day, with solid foods filling in most meals. As they approach their first birthday, they’ll begin to transition from formula to whole milk.
When it comes to introducing solids to your newborn’s eating schedule, there isn’t a strict rule, but a common approach is to start with pureed foods. This is because purees are easier for babies to swallow and digest while they’re still getting most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula.
Between 4 to 6 months, you can begin introducing pureed fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and apples. These foods provide essential nutrients and help your baby get used to new flavors and textures.
After the initial few weeks of feeding purees, around 6 to 8 months, you can start incorporating finely chopped or mashed foods, like soft-cooked peas, avocado, or oatmeal. As your baby becomes more accustomed to eating solids, gradually introduce a variety of textures to keep mealtime interesting.
However, it’s important to avoid gassy fruits like broccoli, cauliflower, or citrus fruits during the night, as these can cause discomfort and disrupt your baby’s sleep.
Additionally, be mindful of choking hazards. Foods like nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, and hard candies should be avoided for young children, as they can pose serious risks. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), by the time your baby is 12 months old, they should be consuming about 1 to 2 cups (8 to 16 ounces) of solid food in addition to their milk.
Always pay attention to the types of foods you offer and their timings. This helps you identify any potential allergies. Some babies may develop rashes, especially if they consume certain foods during the night. By monitoring both the timing and types of foods, you can ensure a smoother transition to solids.
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