Babies aren’t one-size-fits-all, but this chart will give you a general sense of appropriate portion sizes and how to break up a baby’s daily meals. Since some babies need more food and some babies need less, serving amounts are approximate. Intake from one day to another also fluctuates.
1 serving of grain = 1/2 cup cereal or cooked rice, quinoa, pasta, or couscous, 1/2 slice bread or 2 crackers. Choose brown rice, whole grains, and whole-wheat pasta about half the time.
1 serving of dairy = 1 cup (8 oz.) of full-fat yogurt or 1.5 oz. of full-fat cheese. Cow’s milk is not recommended for infants under 12 months, but cheese and yogurt are fine.
| Meal Times | 4-6 Months | 6-8 Months | 8-10 Months | 10-12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Thing in the Morning | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6 of formula |
| Breakfast | 1-2 tablespoons of cereal/ grains 1-2 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable | 2-4 tablespoons of cereal/grains 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable | 4-6 tablespoons of cereal/grains 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable | 4-6 tablespoons of cereal/grains 3-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable |
| Mid-Morning | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula | 1/2 serving of dairy 3-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable |
| Lunch | 1-2 tablespoons of cereal /grains 1-2 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable OR Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | 1 serving of grain 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | 2-4 tablespoons of protein 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula | 2-4 tablespoons of protein 3-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula |
| Mid-Afternoon | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula OR 1/2 serving of dairy | 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain OR 1/2 serving of dairy | 3-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain OR 1/2 serving of dairy |
| Dinner | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | 1-3 tablespoons of protein 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain | 2-4 tablespoons of protein 2-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain | 2-4 tablespoons of protein 3-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetable 1 serving of grain |
| Before Bed | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6-7 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula | Breast milk on demand or 6 oz. of formula |
