BABY FEEDING SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST YEAR
It is very important to make the right food choice for your baby during the first year. Your child need a variety of healthy food at the proper time. Moreover, you, as a parent, are responsible for starting good eating habits at such early stage for the whole life. Pay high attention to your baby’s daily feeding schedule and it will help you to avoid some of the fussiness associated with hunger.
In addition, remember that every baby is different and unique, so they need individual amounts depending on body weight, appetite and age.
Here we would like to share with you typical feeding schedule (this is just the example; different babies have different paces and preferences, along with other factors that influence the frequency of feedings.)
|
AGE |
HOW MUCH |
HOW OFTEN |
|
Newborn |
2-3 Oz |
Every 3-4 hours |
|
1-3 Months |
4-5 Oz |
Every 4-6 hours |
|
3-6 Months |
4-8 Oz (+2 tablespoons of solid food) |
Every 4-6 hours |
|
6-9 Months |
6-8 Oz (+ solid food) |
Every 3-4 hours |
|
9-12 Months |
7-8 Oz (+ solid food) |
Every 6-8 hours |
Schedule is a task for every parent. That’s why it is important to know the hunger cues:
- smacking or licking their lips
- putting their hands in their mouth
- looking for a nipple
Once your baby is a few months old, you may be able to introduce a sleep and a feed schedule that works for you. It will help you to make everything organized. As a result, you will have more time to relax.
In general, if your baby seems hungry, feed them. Your baby will naturally eat more frequently during growth spurts, which typically occur around 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
At 6 Months your baby is ready to start solid food, a good choice will be single grain baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Keep in mind that solids are only a supplement at this stage, and that breast milk or formula is still your baby’s most important source of nutrition. You may be able to start weaning your baby off of night feedings.
7-9 Months is a good time to add a greater variety and quantity of solid foods to your baby’s diet. Purees of meats, vegetables and fruits are recommended at this stage. Your baby may slowly begin to wean off breastmilk or formula as her growing body needs solid foods for nutrition.
At 9-12 Months, most of the calories should come from solid food. Exploring new textures may now be a big part of your little one’s meals. Your baby’s feeding schedule can now include almost all the healthy and nutritious foods that you eat.
You can continue to nurse your baby if you wish. It is your choice. And there is no correct time to wean her off of breast milk. However, every baby is unique. And we recommend to speak to your baby’s pediatrician.
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