How much and how often
Free tool · Checked against official guidance on October 19, 2026 · How we review
Pick your baby's age to see a typical day. These are rough guides, not targets: your baby decides how much to eat.
At 4–5 months
- Solid meals
- Breast milk or formula only
- Water
- Not needed yet
- How much food
- No solid food yet for most babies. Solids are recommended from around 6 months, never before 4 months. If your doctor has advised an earlier start, follow their plan.
- Milk alongside
- US and UK: Breast milk or formula only, fed on cue. Breastfed babies don't need to be measured.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Through the day and nightBreast milk or formula when your baby shows hunger cues.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
Feeding at 4–5 monthsStarting solids at 4 months: what to know
At 6 months
- Solid meals
- Start with 1 meal, build to 2
- Water
- Small sips with meals from an open, straw or free-flow cup (up to 4–8 oz / 120–240 ml a day)
- How much food
- Half a spoonful or less at first, building to a teaspoon or two, or just a few pieces of soft finger food. Tastes, not meals.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): Formula-fed babies typically drink 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) at each of 4–5 feeds in 24 hours, and usually no more than about 32 oz (960 ml) a day. Breastfed babies feed on cue.
- UK (NHS): Keep your usual milk feeds. Breast milk or first infant formula still gives most of your baby's energy and nutrients.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Wake upBreast milk or formula
- Mid-morningBreast milk or formula
- Late morning mealA teaspoon or two of iron-fortified infant oatmeal thinned with breast milk or formula, or mashed ripe banana. Sips of water from a cup.
- AfternoonBreast milk or formula
- EveningBreast milk or formula
- BedtimeBreast milk or formula
Sample days include common allergens. Offer each one on its own first, and swap in another food for any your baby hasn't tried yet. See the allergen planner.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
At 7 months
- Solid meals
- 2 meals a day
- Water
- Sips with meals from a cup (up to 4–8 oz / 120–240 ml a day)
- How much food
- Increase the amount gradually as your baby shows interest. Some meals will be a few bites, and that's fine.
- Milk alongside
- US (CDC): Most babies who drink infant formula need formula or solid food about 5–6 times in 24 hours at this age, and gradually need less formula as they eat more solids (CDC). Breastfed babies feed on cue.
- UK (NHS): Around 4 milk feeds a day, for example on waking, after lunch, after dinner and before bed. As a guide, formula-fed babies may need around 600 ml (20 oz) a day.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Wake upBreast milk or formula
- BreakfastIron-fortified infant cereal with mashed banana. Water in a cup.
- Mid-morningBreast milk or formula
- Lunch or dinnerMashed lentils with soft-cooked broccoli florets, or flaked, well-cooked salmon checked for bones. Water in a cup.
- AfternoonBreast milk or formula
- BedtimeBreast milk or formula
Sample days include common allergens. Offer each one on its own first, and swap in another food for any your baby hasn't tried yet. See the allergen planner.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
At 8 months
- Solid meals
- 2–3 meals a day
- Water
- Sips with meals from a cup (up to 4–8 oz / 120–240 ml a day)
- How much food
- The AAP's sample menu for 8–12 months offers a few foods at each meal, each about 2–4 oz (¼–½ cup, or 4–8 tablespoons). These are examples, not minimums.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): If your baby isn't breastfed, the AAP's 8–12 month menu comes to roughly 24 oz (710 ml) a day of formula. Breastfed babies feed on cue and aren't measured.
- UK (NHS): Around 4 milk feeds a day. As a guide, formula-fed babies may need around 600 ml (20 oz) a day at 7–9 months.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Wake upBreast milk or formula
- BreakfastIron-fortified infant cereal with mashed banana. Water in a cup.
- Mid-morningBreast milk or formula
- LunchMashed lentils with soft-cooked broccoli florets. Water in a cup.
- AfternoonBreast milk or formula
- DinnerFlaked, well-cooked salmon checked for bones, with mashed sweet potato. Water in a cup.
- BedtimeBreast milk or formula
Sample days include common allergens. Offer each one on its own first, and swap in another food for any your baby hasn't tried yet. See the allergen planner.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
At 9 months
- Solid meals
- 3 meals a day
- Water
- Sips with meals from a cup (up to 4–8 oz / 120–240 ml a day)
- How much food
- The AAP's sample menu for 8–12 months offers a few foods at each meal, each about 2–4 oz (¼–½ cup, or 4–8 tablespoons). These are examples, not minimums.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): If your baby isn't breastfed, the AAP's 8–12 month menu comes to roughly 24 oz (710 ml) a day of formula. Breastfed babies feed on cue and aren't measured.
- UK (NHS): Around 4 milk feeds a day. As a guide, formula-fed babies may need around 600 ml (20 oz) a day at 7–9 months.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Wake upBreast milk or formula
- BreakfastStrips of well-cooked omelet with soft toast fingers (once egg and wheat have been introduced). Water in a cup.
- LunchSoft pieces of well-cooked chicken, mashed sweet potato, soft-cooked broccoli. Water in a cup.
- After lunchBreast milk or formula
- DinnerSoft-cooked pasta with lentil sauce, and mashed ripe banana or small pieces of pear cooked until it squashes easily. Water in a cup.
- After dinner and bedtimeBreast milk or formula
Sample days include common allergens. Offer each one on its own first, and swap in another food for any your baby hasn't tried yet. See the allergen planner.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
At 10–11 months
- Solid meals
- 3 meals + 1 snack
- Water
- Sips with meals from a cup (up to 4–8 oz / 120–240 ml a day)
- How much food
- The AAP's sample menu for 8–12 months offers a few foods at each meal, each about 2–4 oz (¼–½ cup, or 4–8 tablespoons). These are examples, not minimums.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): If your baby isn't breastfed, the AAP's 8–12 month menu comes to roughly 24 oz (710 ml) a day of formula. Breastfed babies feed on cue and aren't measured.
- UK (NHS): Often about 3 milk feeds a day, such as after breakfast, after lunch and before bed. As a guide, formula-fed babies drink about 400 ml (13½ oz) a day at 10–12 months. The NHS says babies under 12 months don't need snacks: if your baby seems hungry between meals, offer an extra milk feed instead.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- Wake upBreast milk or formula
- BreakfastOatmeal made with breast milk or formula, with smooth peanut butter thinned and stirred in (once peanut has been introduced), and mashed ripe banana. Water in a cup.
- After breakfastBreast milk or formula
- LunchFlaked salmon, soft rice, well-cooked peas mashed flat. Plain full-fat yogurt. Water in a cup.
- Afternoon snack (optional)Soft ripe fruit, such as banana or ripe mango, or grated mild cheese on soft toast.
- DinnerShredded soft beef, or a chili without added salt with the beans mashed flat, and soft-cooked vegetables. Water in a cup.
- BedtimeBreast milk or formula
Sample days include common allergens. Offer each one on its own first, and swap in another food for any your baby hasn't tried yet. See the allergen planner.
No honey before 12 months, and no added salt or sugar. US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4.
At 12–18 months
- Solid meals
- 3 meals + 2 snacks
- Water
- The main drink between meals, about 8–32 oz (240–950 ml) a day
- How much food
- About a quarter of an adult portion. For cooked vegetables, about 1 tablespoon per year of age. Serve less than you think, and let your child ask for more.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): Plain whole cow's milk, about 16 oz (480 ml) a day in total, from a cup. Breast milk can continue; formula is no longer needed. If you offer milk at several meals and snacks, keep each cup small so the day's total stays near that, leaving room for iron-rich food.
- UK (NHS): Whole or semi-skimmed cow's milk as a main drink. Try for at least 350 ml (12 oz) a day, or 2 servings of foods made from milk, like cheese or yogurt. Formula is no longer needed.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- 7:00Wake up. Breakfast: oatmeal with soft fruit pieces, with milk in a cup.
- 9:30Morning snack: plain full-fat yogurt, with water.
- 12:00Lunch: soft pieces of chicken, rice and cooked vegetables, with water or milk.
- 12:30–2:30Nap (if your child still naps).
- 3:00Afternoon snack: toast fingers and banana cut lengthwise into strips, with milk or water.
- 5:30Dinner: pasta with lentil sauce and soft-cooked broccoli, with water.
- 7:00Bedtime routine.
Honey is safe from 12 months, but it's an added sugar: US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4. Don't add salt to your child's food.
At 18–24 months
- Solid meals
- 3 meals + 2 snacks
- Water
- The main drink between meals, about 8–32 oz (240–950 ml) a day
- How much food
- About a quarter of an adult portion. For cooked vegetables, about 1 tablespoon per year of age. Serve less than you think, and let your child ask for more.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): Plain whole cow's milk, about 16 oz (480 ml) a day in total, from a cup. Breast milk can continue. If you offer milk at several meals and snacks, keep each cup small so the day's total stays near that, leaving room for iron-rich food.
- UK (NHS): Whole or semi-skimmed cow's milk. Try for at least 350 ml (12 oz) a day, or 2 servings of foods made from milk, like cheese or yogurt.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- 7:00Wake up. Breakfast: scrambled egg and toast fingers, with milk in a cup.
- 9:30Morning snack: small pieces of soft, ripe, peeled pear, with water.
- 12:00Lunch: bean and vegetable soup with the beans mashed or squashed flat, and soft bread, with water or milk.
- 12:30–2:30Nap (if your child still naps).
- 3:00Afternoon snack: plain full-fat yogurt, with milk or water.
- 5:30Dinner: flaked fish, mashed potato and soft-cooked peas, with water.
- 7:00Bedtime routine.
Honey is safe from 12 months, but it's an added sugar: US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4. Don't add salt to your child's food.
At 2–3 years
- Solid meals
- 3 meals + 1 or 2 snacks
- Water
- The main drink between meals, about 8–40 oz (240–1,200 ml) a day
- How much food
- About a quarter of an adult portion. For cooked vegetables, about 1 tablespoon per year of age, so about 2 tablespoons at 2 years. Serve less than you think, and let your child ask for more.
- Milk alongside
- US (AAP): From age 2, low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk, about 16–24 oz (480–710 ml) a day.
- UK (NHS): Whole or semi-skimmed milk; 1% and skimmed aren't recommended as a main drink before age 5. Try for at least 350 ml (12 oz) a day, or 2 servings of foods made from milk.
A sample day
An example to adapt around naps and your routine, not a timetable.
- 7:00Wake up. Breakfast: oatmeal with soft fruit pieces, with milk in a cup.
- 9:30Morning snack: pita fingers with hummus, with water.
- 12:00Lunch: a family meal like vegetable omelet with soft potatoes, with water or milk.
- 1:00–2:30Nap (if your child still naps).
- 3:30Afternoon snack (if needed): plain yogurt and soft fruit, with water.
- 5:30Dinner: the family meal, cooked without added salt and cut to a safe size, with water.
- 7:00Bedtime routine.
Honey is safe from 12 months, but it's an added sugar: US and UK advice is to avoid added sugar, including honey and syrups, up to age 4. Don't add salt to your child's food.
Watch your baby, not the numbers
The AAP puts it simply: your job is to offer healthy food in sensible portions, and your child's job is to decide how much to eat. Some days they'll eat a lot and some days hardly anything, and that's normal. Your child doesn't need to finish a bottle, a bowl or a plate (CDC).
Hungry signs
- Reaching for or pointing to food
- Opening their mouth when you offer a spoon or food
- Getting excited when they see food
Full signs
- Pushing food away
- Closing their mouth when food is offered
- Turning their head away
When you see full signs, stop: there's no need for "one more bite." The AAP's rule of thumb is that a child who is growing well is getting enough. Talk to your pediatrician or health visitor if you're worried your child is eating too much or too little, has trouble chewing or swallowing, or has fewer wet diapers than usual.
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Sources
- AAP: Starting Solid Foods
- AAP: Sample menu for a baby 8 to 12 months old
- AAP: Amount and schedule of baby formula feedings
- AAP: Recommended drinks for young children ages 0–5
- AAP: Feeding and nutrition tips: your 1-year-old
- AAP: Feeding and nutrition tips: your 2-year-old
- AAP: Serving sizes for toddlers
- AAP: Making sure your child is eating enough
- CDC: How much and how often to feed infant formula
- CDC: Signs your child is hungry or full
- NHS: Your baby's first solid foods
- NHS: Help your baby enjoy new foods
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- NHS: What to feed young children
- WHO: Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months (2023)