Every baby is unique on their own special way, from the milestones to appetite. From the first days of their lives to the time they turn one, babies experience rapid change in a span of such short time, and this rapid change affects how often and how much they eat. To help you catch up with the rapid changes of your little ones while still keeping them nourished, you can start with learning more about the milestones that they could be going through and baby feeding schedule by age. Now, this gives you a deeper understanding of their nutritional needs.
For families who love to travel and are always on the go, feedings can happen everywhere and anywhere, at home, in the car or maybe even when traveling. This is why having an infant travel carrier becomes an essential. Having a travel carrier makes feedings, easier, more comfortable and also keeps your child secured while also keeping your hands free for other stuff. In this article we’ll discuss more about each and every stage of how their feeding changes during this time. We’ll also tackle some helpful tips to make your feedings more enjoyable and less stressful for you and your child.
The Golden Rule: Why Responsive Feeding Always Comes First
There are a lot of beliefs surrounding feedings, and before we get all into those specific routines, let’s first discuss about the most important rule when feeding. Responsive feeding is the first and most important rule that you should be following no matter how old your child is.
With this approach you are following your baby’s hunger and fullness cues rather than sticking rigidly to a clock and a strict feeding schedule. Other than this when you’re feeding responsively, you’re helping them recognize their natural rhythm of hunger and fullness which also helps develop a healthy relationship with food from the start.
Recognizing your child’s hunger cues is crucial to timely responding to these cues. Babies show their hunger by rooting, this is when they turn their head towards your hand or your breast. They also suck on their hands or make those cute smacking noises. Now, whenever they are already full, they usually turn away, or slow down when feeding, they may also lose interest in the breast or bottle and start playing.
0–3 Months: Mastering the Art of Demand Feeding
0 – 3 months can be considered as the newborn stage and through this phase, babies usually just feed and sleep. Since your child’s stomach is still so small, it can only store certain amount of milk at a time, it usually lasts them about 2 to 3 hours, which is about 8 – 12 times of feeding per day.
- Breastfed babies – There can be an expected shorter interval between feeds, usually every 2 – 3 hours, and more frequent as breastmilk is easily digested.
- Formula-fed babies – Every 3 – 4 hours, about 2 – 3 ounces per feed, since they take time to digest, babies lasts longer than most breastfed babies. The amount per feed increases gradually as they grow.
A temporary increase in their feeding frequency can happen around weeks 2, 6 and 12, this is commonly known as growth spurts. Feeding schedules isn’t really something you should worry about this stage. What should be taken accounted for here is if they are getting enough nourishment and that you’re responding to their cues.
4–6 Months: Finding a Rhythm and Looking Ahead to Solids
4 – 6 months is the phase when your child’s feedings start to take structure. By this time a lot of babies feed every 3 – 4 hours about 4 – 6 ounces per feed if they are formula-fed. For breastfed babies, they may still feed on demand but a noticeable pattern settling.
At this period, you make take your chance of establishing a more flexible routine that will fit your lifestyle. An infant travel carrier is a great support when you need to feed while running errands, or during short family trips by the park.
It’s also during this stage that you may observe their readiness to start introducing solids. Signs like sitting up with support, slowly losing the tongue-thrust reflex, curious about what you’re eating and want to put food into their mouth. But, until they turn 6 months old, breastmilk or formula milk is still their first source of nutrition.
6–8 Months: The Start of Solids and Balancing Milk Intake
For many parents this is the most awaited phase, the introduction of solids. Now that your child could sit properly with support, they are also ready to explore more flavors and textures but of course still getting the most of their calories from breastmilk or formula milk.
Your feeding patterns can still vary, but to give you an idea you can start with
3 – 5 milk feedings, maybe breast or bottle per day.
then, 1 – 2 small solid meals to start. 1 – 2 tablespoons of puree or mashed food is a great start.
Ideally, it’s great to start with iron-rich foods like lentils, oatmeal or pureed meats. Then slowly expand to fruits, vegetables, and soft grains. To check for allergies, introducing food should be one at a time, with three days interval.
Even if you child is already eating their solids well, milk remains crucial for their growth and hydration. At some point, your child may become fussy while feeding, this is completely normal because there are times when they get distracted when they feed. Keeping the environment calm during feeding, or using a snug infant travel carrier can help in keeping them focused on feeding.
9–12 Months: Moving to Family Mealtimes and Exploring Textures
As your child grows older, they become more active and curious about what you usually eat, between the ages 9 and 12 months, the mealtimes start to become more of a family routine.
What you could expect during this phase:
they could have 3 main meals and 2 – 3 milk feedings daily
Portion sizes can be from one fourth to one half cup per meal
Now when it comes to the variety of foods that they could try, it could be soft finger foods like cooked vegetables, avocado, shredded chicken, or some tiny pasta pieces. By this time you can encourage self-feeding with safe, soft foods. Since babies are developing their motor skills, this is a great practice, but expect huge messes, don’t worry, it’s all part of the learning process.
Transitioning Off the Bottle and Formula at Age One
By the time babies reach that one-year mark, most of them are ready to wean of the bottle or breast and transition to whole cow’s milk (or another suitable alternative, with advice from your pediatrician). This transition doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time, patience and consistency. Gradual weaning also helps you and your child adjust emotionally and physically.
To start with this, start by changing things up one feeding at a time. Instead of their usual bottle, replace one feeding with an open cup or a sippy cup. Just continue with providing them with nutritious meals and snacks to keep their energy balanced and grow into healthy toddler.
In case your child still feels more comfortable in doing feeding routines, you can still maintain this through cuddles or walks with your infant travel carrier. Doing so gives them security and reassurance in this transition.
Sample Schedules: A Look at How a Day Might Flow
Babies are unique, and their routines can also vary, but in general there is a feeding schedule that we could share with you to help you figure things out and may help you find your own routine.
- 0 – 3 months: they usually feed 2 – 3 hours whether breast or formula (2 – 3 oz), for night feedings about 2 – 3 times.
- 4 – 6 months: 3 – 4 hours interval of each feeding and about 4 – 6 oz per feed. Slight decrease in night feedings to 1 – 2 times.
- 6 – 8 months: milk feedings are about 3 – 5 times including 1 – 2 meals (the introduction of solids, also a few sips of water with meals)
- 9 – 12 months: now they have about 3 main meals and 2 – 3 milk feedings, this allows room for snacks and encouraged self-feeding.
Also take into consideration the growth spurts, sleep changes and teething. They are included in your child’s milestones and could affect how much they eat, but only for a certain period of time.
Essential Tips for Every Stage: Cues, Hydration, and Patience
Although we couldn’t be there to process these things with you, we’ll provide as much help as we could. Remember that no matter what age or stage your baby’s at, the simple golden rule applies all throughout this baby feeding schedule by age journey.
- Let your child lead – trust your baby’s instincts, they can feel whether they’re already full.
- Keep them hydrated in a smart way – during their early months, milk is the best source of hydration. When they reach 6 months, you can start introducing water.
- Create calm meal environments – decrease any distractions while feeding, from screens to loud noises.
- Don’t rush them into solids – it’s about exploring and experiencing different kinds of food, don’t worry about the quantity, your child still has their milk as primary source of nutrition.
- Practice patience – your baby will adapt on their own pace, be patient.
Feedings are more than just nutrition and keeping them full to get them running, it’s also about connection and exploration.
Conclusion
When you’re building a baby feeding schedule by age is a mix of everything, from science, intuition and love. Through the newborn stage to the time they turn into energetic toddlers, this feeding journey is about exploration for you and your child.
So, take your time watching them learn, learn their cues, keep routines flexible especially during times when their bodies are changing. Use helpful and available tools like an infant travel carrier to make things easier for you and more enjoyable for your child. And before you know it, there they are happily eating with you, sharing meals with you, so enjoy every moment because these moments are for you.
