Baby Feeding Chart: A Feeding Schedule for Baby’s 1st Year

Babies grow and develop rapidly during their first year of life. All of that growth requires proper nutrition, which can feel overwhelming for new parents. That’s where our baby feeding chart comes in.

This chart can help you establish a feeding schedule to ensure your little one gets the right amount of breastmilk, formula, and solid food for each stage of development. You’ll also find tips to help you confidently feed your baby.

Table of contents

• What is a baby feeding chart?
  
• How often do babies need to eat?
  
• Baby feeding chart for the first year
  
• Introducing solid foods
  
• Baby feeding tips
  
• Troubleshooting feeding issues
  

What is a baby feeding chart?

A baby feeding chart provides basic guidelines for how much and how often babies should eat. Since your little one’s nutritional needs change as they grow, feeding charts are typically broken down into stages based on age.

While a baby feeding chart can help you feel more confident about feeding your baby, remember it’s just a guide. It’s not set in stone.

Your baby is unique. Depending on their growth rate and appetite, they may need more or less food than the chart says. That’s OK!

Refer to the chart below to see how much (or how often) your baby should eat. Then, make adjustments as needed.

And, of course, consult your pediatrician if you have specific questions about feeding. They can help you develop an individualized feeding plan for your baby.

How often do babies need to eat?

Before we get to the chart, let’s talk about how often babies need to eat. Your little one has a tiny stomach and can only eat small amounts at a time at first. As they grow, they’ll be able to go a little longer between meals.

Here’s a quick look at how often they’ll eat each day at different ages:

• 0-3 months: 8-12 feedings
  
• 4-6 months: 7-9 feedings
  
• 6-9 months: 5-7 feedings
  
• 9-12 months: 4-6 feedings

During growth spurts, you may feel like all you ever do is feed your baby. And, honestly, that’s not too far from the truth. Growth spurts typically occur when your baby is around three weeks old, three months old, and six months old.

During those times, your baby may cluster feed, which is when they have several smaller feedings spaced closer together. Sometimes this is followed by a longer period of time without eating. 

More common in the late afternoon and early evening, cluster feeding preceding sleep can sometimes mean longer, uninterrupted sleep. (We’ll take it, right? A good night’s sleep!) 

Baby feeding chart for the first year

Here’s a simple baby feeding chart for the first year of life. It shows how much breastmilk or formula your little one needs and indicates when to introduce solid foods. 

Now that you have a general idea, let’s look at each stage in more detail.

0-3 months

Your newborn has to learn how to eat. In the womb, their nutrition was delivered automatically, but now they have to get the hang of latching and sucking. It’s harder than it looks, so take it slow and be patient.

Instead of sticking to a specific feeding schedule, feed on demand. Watch your little one for hunger cues, such as:

• Rooting
  
• Sucking on their fist
  
• Crying
  
• Turning their head from side to side, looking for the breast or bottle
  
• Opening and closing their mouth

When you notice these signs, offer your baby the breast or bottle. Newborns typically want to eat every 1.5 to 4 hours, though you might get one longer, 5-hour stretch at night.

Keeping your baby nearby (in a Bassinet or Bedside Sleeper) makes feeding them in the middle of the night easier.

Try to respond to your baby’s feeding needs as quickly as you can while remaining as relaxed as you can. A calm, quiet, and comfortable environment will make it easier for both of you. Stress from you or frustration from your baby makes it hard for them to latch on.

You’ll know your baby has had enough when they stop sucking or slow way down. They may also turn their head away, relax, and show tiredness signs, indicating they’re ready to return to the crib.

Breastfed babies

In the early weeks, expect your baby to nurse every 1.5-3 hours. Over time, they’ll be able to go longer between feedings.

Those first breastfeeding sessions may last 20 minutes or more on each side. Don’t worry — as your baby grows, they’ll become more efficient at nursing. Then, they may only need to nurse on each side for five to 10 minutes.

Try to give your baby the opportunity to fully empty one breast before switching to the other one. Hindmilk (the milk your baby gets at the end of a feeding) has more fat and protein than the milk that flows before it. Hindmilk gives your little one more nutrients and helps them feel fuller.

Formula-fed babies

Bottle-feeding should be as interactive as possible. Ideally, you want to mimic a breastfeeding position, holding your baby in one arm close to your body, while holding the bottle in the other.

At first, your baby will only be able to eat one or two ounces of infant formula. Offer this amount every 2 to 3 hours (or sooner if they show signs of hunger).

As your baby grows, they’ll consume more formula at each feeding:

• 1 month: 2-4 oz
  
• 2 months: 3-5 oz
  
• 3 months: 4-6 oz

Altogether, newborns will drink up to 32 ounces of formula each day.

4-6 Months

Traditionally, parents were encouraged to introduce solids at four months. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends waiting until around six months. By then, your baby’s digestive system is more developed and better able to handle a variety of foods.

Until that point, stick with only breast milk or formula unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.

Breastfed babies

Expect your baby to nurse seven to nine times each day at this age. They may still need to eat in the middle of the night, though implementing a dream feed can help.

Formula-fed babies

Your baby can now handle larger amounts of formula with every feeding. Plan on them consuming between four and six ounces in every bottle, five to six times each day.

6-9 Months

Learning new skills requires energy. Your baby will need to eat a lot as they begin crawling and pulling up. As their caloric needs change, you may notice a sleep regression. Even if your baby was previously sleeping through the night, they may wake up before morning, ready to eat.

Introducing solids and ensuring they eat enough during the day can help you both get back to sleep. But remember that breast milk or formula will remain their primary food source until their first birthday.

Breastfed babies

Breastfed babies need five to seven feedings daily.

Formula-fed babies

Formula-fed babies will drink six to eight ounces of formula four to five times a day.

9-12 Months

By now, your baby is probably eating solids like a champ. Continue adding new foods to their diet, and let them try things with different flavors and textures.

As they eat more solid food, you’ll notice them drinking less formula or breast milk. This progression is normal, but make sure they still get enough liquid to stay hydrated.

Breastfed babies

If breastfeeding, your little one should nurse four to six times daily.

Formula-fed babies

Formula-fed babies will take six to eight ounces three to four times a day.

You can also offer a sippy cup during meals. Stick to water, as babies shouldn’t have juice until their first birthday.

Introducing solid foods

As we mentioned above, you can introduce solids when your baby is about six months old. Here are some signs that they’re developmentally ready:

• Sits up with support
  
• Controls head movements
  
• Reaches for your food and tries to put it in their mouth
  
• Opens mouth when near food
  
• Keeps food in their mouth instead of spitting it out onto their chin
  
• Moves food to the back of their mouth with their tongue

Sometimes that first solid food experience happens spontaneously. Your baby lets you know that it's the right time to give it a try. That's a great time to go for it! But if you decide to plan your baby's first experience, you may want to keep a few things in mind.

Creating a calm space may give your baby (and you!) the best chance of a successful feeding session. Make sure they’re sitting upright. Help them relax by making sure their body is fully supported. Finally, try to wait until you know your baby is hungry. 

When it’s time, begin with small amounts of food. Use a spoon or present food in small pieces that your baby can pick up with their fingers. Introduce only one new food at a time. Then, wait a few days before trying another one to make sure your baby doesn’t react. 

Offer a wide variety of flavors and textures. It will be easy for you to feed your baby your favorite foods, but don't forget you’re introducing them to new foods (and the concept of solid food, in general), and you want to set the stage for a full range of healthy eating.

Don’t be tempted to add salt or sugar to any foods you give your baby. Many babies (and adults, for that matter!) need to experience a new food multiple times before they like it. Give your baby the time they need to accept the new food without making it more appealing.

Additionally, your baby needs foods with healthy fats and calories for brain and nervous system development. Of course, if your baby’s doctor recommends cutting back on anything in particular, follow their advice.  

While store-bought baby food is a great option, don’t forget that you don’t have to feed it to your little one. Your baby may be more interested in the food they see everyone else at the table eating, and as long as you watch them carefully, they can eat the same food.

Two good rules of thumb about solid food:

• You’re responsible for choosing what your baby can eat.
  
• Your baby is responsible for deciding whether to eat it or not and how much to eat.

If you notice any rashes or vomiting as your baby tries new foods, it could indicate an allergy.

Baby feeding tips

These tips can help make mealtime more enjoyable for you and your baby:

• Keep an eye on outputs: Tracking your baby’s wet and dirty diapers can help you know they’re getting enough to eat.
  
• Let their needs guide you: Your baby won’t eat the same amount each day. Pay attention to their cues to know when they’re hungry and full.
  
• Stay current on the guidelines: Feeding recommendations change over time as scientists learn more about nutrition. Stay up-to-date on the latest recommendations so you know what to expect.
  
• Take care of yourself: Feeding a baby can be mentally and physically exhausting. Take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough rest, and asking for help.
  

Troubleshooting feeding issues

Are you worried about any aspect of your baby’s feeding schedule? Take a look at some common issues that might give you concern and what to do about them.

Messy eating

Around nine months old, your baby may decide they want to control when and how they eat. And this may mean lots of food on the floor, on their face, and in their hair but not a lot on their mouth! Try to let them experiment like this. It’s a great (albeit messy) learning experience.

Spitting up and reflux

It’s totally normal for your baby to spit up when they eat. Their little digestive systems are still getting used to the whole feeding process. Reflux, which is when food backs up from your baby’s stomach into their esophagus, is also normal.

While these issues tend to resolve themselves by the time your baby is 12-14 months old, you can help, especially with reflux, by feeding your baby more slowly, feeding them less at one sitting, and making sure they’re sitting upright after they eat. 

Refusing food

As we said earlier, when your baby is beginning to eat solid food, they may refuse some foods initially. Be patient and persistent. It may take a few tries before they decide they like it. But turning away from food can also mean they’re tired, not feeling well, distracted, or just full.

Talk to your baby’s doctor if you are worried.

Colic

Colic is when your baby cries for a long period of time for no apparent reason. While it doesn’t tend to affect appetite or the ability to suck (if you’re bottle or breastfeeding) or eat, you may need to give your baby time to calm down before a feeding session.

Overfeeding

It’s pretty hard to overfeed a baby. That’s the good news. But it sometimes happens with a bottle-fed baby who sucks on the bottle for comfort. If you think this might be the case for your baby, try to pay attention to when their other hunger cues disappear, even if they’re still sucking. 

Underfeeding

Some issues that might slow down a baby’s weight gain are:

• Cleft lip or palate 
  
• A milk protein intolerance
  
• Being born premature

If you’re worried about your baby’s weight, talk to their doctor about their particular healthy weight range.

Feed your baby with confidence.

Feeding your baby can feel overwhelming at first, but before long, you’ll be a pro. The baby feeding chart above can give you the confidence to reach that point. Refer to it as a guide for how much (and how often) your little one needs to eat.

For more expert parenting advice, visit Newton Baby. Our products meet the highest standards in safety, design, and innovation so you can focus on what matters most: your baby’s health and happiness.

Frequently asked questions

What’s a nursing strike?

A nursing strike is when your baby suddenly decides they don't want to nurse anymore. It can look like your baby is ready to wean, but this is rarely the case. 

Instead, their abrupt rejection may be because of something like an earache, stuffy nose, teething, a change in routine, or your baby’s frustration at milk flow. Nursing strikes usually last between a few days and a few weeks. 

In the meantime, keep gently encouraging your baby to nurse. You might try feeding them when they’re sleepy, feeding in a quiet, dark space, taking a warm bath together, or increasing skin-to-skin time with your baby.

Does it matter what foods I start my baby with?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that, for most babies, you don’t need to introduce food in any particular order.

Do hiccups mean my baby is full?

Hiccups are caused by a spasming of the diaphragm. Although they can be triggered in babies if they eat too fast, they don’t automatically mean your baby is full. In fact, babies sometimes hiccup when they feel overstimulated. Hiccups usually resolve on their own in a few minutes.

Can my baby try little bites of my food before they’re six months old?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies don’t need to eat solid food until they are around 6 months old. Complementary food (food that complements breastmilk or formula) is needed at this point in your baby’s life because they’re growing rapidly and need more calories.

Offering food before this may cause problems, such as reducing the amount of breastmilk or formula your baby will drink, which is full of the nutrients they need at this stage of their growth.