Use this guide to find out what and how much to feed your child at every stage of development from birth to 12 months. (See our toddler article for guidance on feeding children over 12 months.) Don't worry if your child eats more or less than the amounts listed – they're only meant as rough guidelines.
Watch a pediatrician demonstrate how to make baby formula and store it safely.
You don't have to introduce foods to your child in any particular order. If you want to give your baby a taste of tofu at age 6 months, go ahead, even though it's not listed on our chart until age 8 months.
It was once considered important to wait until age 1 or even age 3 before introducing highly allergenic foods like eggs, fish, and peanuts. While experts now believe that postponing these foods doesn't prevent food allergies, many pediatricians still recommend delaying or waiting to introduce them – especially for children with eczema or with a family history of allergies. However you choose to introduce new foods, discuss your decision with your child's doctor first.
Age: Birth to 4 months
Feeding behavior
Rooting reflex helps your baby turn toward a nipple to find nourishment
What to feed
Breast milk or formula ONLY
How much per day
See How to Tell if Your Baby's Getting Enough Breast Milk
See How to Tell How Much Formula Your Baby Needs
Feeding tip
Your baby's digestive tract is still developing, so solid food is off-limits for now.
Age: 4 to 6 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
Your baby probably won't do all these things – they're just clues to watch for.
Can hold head up
Sits well in highchair
Makes chewing motions
Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
Shows interest in food
Can close mouth around a spoon
Can move food from front to back of mouth
Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
Is teething
What to feed
Breast milk or formula, PLUS
Pureed food (like sweet potatoes, squash, apples, bananas, peaches, or pears) or semi-liquid iron-fortified cereal
How much per day
Begin with about 1 teaspoon pureed food or cereal. Mix cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll be very runny).
Increase to 1 tablespoon of pureed food, or 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day. If giving cereal, gradually thicken the consistency by using less liquid.
Feeding tips
If your baby won't eat the cereal on the first try, offer it again in a few days.
Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.
Print our step-by-step guide to feeding your baby.
Age: 6 to 8 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
Same as 4 to 6 months
What to feed
Breast milk or formula, PLUS
Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato)
Pureed meat (chicken, pork, beef)
Pureed tofu
Pureed legumes (black beans, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and kidney beans)
How much per day
3 to 9 tablespoons cereal, in 2 to 3 feedings
1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feedings
1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feedings
Feeding tips
Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.
Age: 8 tomonths
10 Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods
Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
Can transfer items from one hand to the other
Puts everything in his mouth
Moves jaw in a chewing motion
What to feed
Breast milk or formula, PLUS
Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
How much per day
1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
Feeding tip
Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
Age: 10 to 12 months
Signs of readiness for additional solid food
Same as 8 to 10 months, PLUS
Swallows food more easily
Has more teeth
No longer pushes food out with tongue
Is trying to use a spoon
What to feed
Breast milk or formula PLUS
Soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
Fruit cut into cubes or strips, or mashed
Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (peas, carrots)
Combo foods (macaroni and cheese, casseroles)
Protein (egg; pureed or finely ground meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans)
Finger foods (lightly toasted bread or bagels, small pieces of ripe banana, spiral pasta, teething crackers, low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
How much per day
1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
1/8 to 1/4 cup combo foods
1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
Feeding tip
Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
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