How much should my baby eat?

3 min read

At the start, very little: a teaspoon or two, or just licks and squashes. Solids at 6 months are practice and flavor, and milk is still doing most of the work.

Your baby decides how much. Signs of being hungry include opening the mouth, reaching for food and leaning in. Signs of being full include turning the head away, clamping the mouth, pushing food off the tray, and getting fussy or playing with the food. Stop when your baby says stop.

A typical path: one meal a day at 6 months, then two, and by 9 to 12 months around three meals with one or two snacks, alongside milk. Every baby is different, and appetite changes from day to day, so look at the week, not the meal.

Do not measure success by empty bowls. Offer a variety, and trust growth checks with your pediatrician to tell you how your baby is doing.