Baby Feeding Schedule: A Month-by-Month Guide for New Parents

Baby Feeding Schedule: A Month-by-Month Guide for New Parents

Everything You Need to Know About When and How Often to Feed Your Baby

One of the most common questions new parents ask is:
“How often should I feed my baby?”

Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, or introducing solids, your baby’s feeding needs will evolve rapidly in the first year. Having a baby feeding schedule can help you stay on track, understand your baby's hunger cues, and support healthy growth and sleep patterns.

This guide provides a month-by-month baby feeding schedule, plus helpful tips and signs to ensure your baby is eating enough.

📅 Baby Feeding Schedule by Age

👶 0–1 Month Old: On-Demand Newborn Feeding

  • Type of feeding: Breast milk or formula only

  • Breastfed babies: Feed every 2–3 hours (8–12 times/day)

  • Formula-fed babies: Feed every 3–4 hours (2–3 oz per feeding)

💡 Tip: Wake baby to feed if they sleep more than 3 hours at a time during the day or night in the early weeks.

👶 1–3 Months Old: More Predictable Patterns

  • Breastfed: 7–9 feeds/day

  • Formula-fed: 4–5 oz every 3–4 hours

  • Total intake: ~24–32 oz/day

✨ Babies begin developing more consistent feeding and sleep routines. Watch for hunger cues instead of the clock.

🍼 4–6 Months Old: Preparing for Solids

  • Breastfed: Every 3–4 hours (6–8 feedings/day)

  • Formula-fed: 6–7 oz every 4–5 hours

  • Solids: Not yet unless approved by pediatrician

📝 Look for signs of readiness to start solids around 6 months: sitting up with support, reduced tongue-thrust, and interest in food.

🍎 6–8 Months Old: Introducing Solids

  • Breast/formula: Still primary nutrition (24–30 oz/day)

  • Solids: 1–2 small meals/day

    • 1–2 tablespoons of iron-rich cereals

    • 1–2 tablespoons of pureed fruits/veggies

🍼 Always offer milk first, then solids. This keeps milk intake high during early solid introduction.

🥄 8–10 Months Old: More Food Variety

  • Milk: 3–4 feedings/day (breast or bottle)

  • Solids: 3 meals + 1 snack

    • Soft finger foods

    • Mashed fruits, veggies, grains, and proteins

    • Practice with a sippy cup

📆 Schedule example:

  • 7 AM: Milk

  • 8 AM: Breakfast solids

  • 11 AM: Milk

  • 12 PM: Lunch solids

  • 3 PM: Snack & milk

  • 6 PM: Dinner solids

  • 7 PM: Milk before bed

🍽️ 10–12 Months Old: Building Mealtime Routine

  • Milk: 16–24 oz/day

  • Solids: 3 meals + 2 snacks

  • Encourage self-feeding with soft pieces of family food

✅ Start weaning from the bottle and introduce a variety of textures and flavors.

👀 Signs Your Baby Is Hungry

  • Rooting or turning head toward breast/bottle

  • Sucking on hands or lips

  • Fussiness or restlessness

  • Crying (late hunger sign)

✋ Signs Baby Is Full

  • Slowing down or stopping feeding

  • Turning away from nipple or spoon

  • Pushing bottle or food away

  • Appearing sleepy or content

🧠 Feeding Tips for Parents

  • Don’t force your baby to finish a bottle or plate—respect fullness cues

  • Use feeding as bonding time, not just nutrition

  • Keep feeding times calm, relaxed, and screen-free

  • Stay consistent with timing to support sleep and digestion routines

🛍️ Feeding Essentials You’ll Love

Explore tools that make feeding easier and more enjoyable at Omomly.com:

  • Baby feeding trackers

  • Newborn essentials checklists

  • Sippy cups and bibs

  • Breastfeeding support tools

👉 Browse Baby Feeding Products

❤️ Final Thoughts

Every baby is unique, so feeding schedules should always be flexible and based on your baby’s needs. Trust your instincts, follow your baby's cues, and don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician with concerns about intake, weight gain, or introducing solids.

By following a developmentally-appropriate feeding routine, you’re setting your baby up for a healthy relationship with food—and giving yourself a little more structure along the way.

Back to blog

Best Sellers

View all