GUIDE 5
How Often and
How Much Should I Feed My Baby?
Because we never say it enough, every baby is different and their appetite will vary depending on their age, and also on their level of fatigue, mood, health or more. Pretty much like how our appetites vary from day to day. So it’s important to take these recommendations as guidelines rather than fixed rules. Don’t forget to take it at your baby’s pace and watch for cues as they will be leading the way!
When first starting (6 months or nearing 6 months)
- Once to twice a day
Check out a first month schedule in our guide “Which foods first” for an overview of meal frequency
- It’s totally fine to skip a day or two in the early days, as this time is more about discovery
6-7 months
- About twice a day
- I recommend lunch and snack but feel free to choose another meal
8-9 months
- Thrice a day
- I recommend adding dinner but feel free to choose another meal
10-12 months
- 4 times a day
- At this point baby eats breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner
- Remember to watch your baby’s cues!
How much food should I feed my baby?
Parents are often concerned about how much food they should offer their baby. The best advice is: let baby be the guide! Follow your baby’s cues – signs of fullness, preferences etc. Keep offering food until you see the first signs of disinterest and don’t force them. Your job is to offer a variety of healthy options, on a schedule; baby’s job is to eat and it’s up to them. This will give them control, curiosity to try new things and less likelihood of developing picky eating later on.
But I know that new parents will still be searching the web for recommendations on quantity. And I know this because… I’ve been there!
So I’ve put together a quick summary to help you navigate quantities by age, but remember:
- These are here to guide you and do not replace the advice of a healthcare provider who has seen your baby
- Each baby evolves differently and doesn’t have the same weight or height so their needs may vary drastically
Dowload Guide 5
“How Often and How Much Should I Feed My Baby?”
A few additional things to note when it comes to offering food to your baby:
- Minimize distractions
Research indicates that babies tend to develop healthier eating habits when less distracted (screens, toys, a parent bustling around…). It is important that they focus on their food while eating so try to avoid any external stimulation.
- Respect signs of fullness
When the baby seems not interested anymore, don’t insist too much. You can give it one more try or two, but it’s often better to end the meal. Don’t force your baby. Good signs are:
- With puree: Baby will turn their head away or will look away
- With finger foods: Going from eating to playing with food
- Re-offer rejected food
It will happen more often than not. One day your baby is obsessed with avocado, the very next day it’s the worst thing they’ve ever eaten! Many studies have shown that it will sometimes take up to 10-15 introductions of the same food for a baby to accept it. So don’t sweat it! Continue offering the food (with no pressure) to the baby on different occasions. Continued exposure will be the only way for your baby to grow to like this new taste. You can offer food they’ll like next to it and they might not eat the new food for a while but they will eventually give it a try. Perseverance (and patience) is key!